The 2000 BMW 740il has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 17,700 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
Complaints by component
TIRES
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
1
1injuries
CHILD SEAT:TETHER: STRAP/WEBBING
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
EQUIPMENT
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
Total complaints23
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I have a 2000 bmw 740il that is very hard to read from the dash board or the instrument panel. I cannot read the exact mileage on the car, outside temperature or any other information that comes to the screen behind the steering wheel. I would like to have this fix since it is a safety hazard. Any…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 740il. The contact was braking from approximately 45 mph when the brakes locked. The contact was able to release the brakes and proceed. Several days later, the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the mechanic advised that without the brake warning…”
“I own a 2000 bmw 740il and the reverse went out on the transmission. As I researched this issue I found that it is a common problem and known issue to bmw. I have kept the recommended maintenance and want to lodge a complaint as I believe this to be a recall issue. *tr”
“The problem areas of missing pixels are primarily located in the driver's instrument cluster that displays odometer & trip odometer, outside temperature , and check control display, such as warnings/parking brake/coolant temperature /level/ key & seat belt reminder, etc. Bmws have been evaluating…”
“I am writing regarding my 2000 bmw 740il. For the past few months the anti-lock brake system (abs), dynamic stability control (dsc), and brake lights illuminate at random intervals. This indicates that the dynamic stability and anti-lock brake systems are no longer working. There doesn't seem to…”
“I am writing regarding my 2000 bmw 740il. For the past few months the anti-lock brake system (abs), dynamic stability control (dsc), and brake lights illuminate at random intervals. This indicates that the dynamic stability and anti-lock brake systems are no longer working. There doesn't seem to…”
“Two days after purchasing a 2000 bmw 740il with 45,000 miles on it from a friend, I left my driveway and activated the driver's side heated seat. After driving several hundred yards, I began to smell smoke. I stopped the vehicle to try to determine the source of the problem. My wife was following…”
“Dt*: the contact stated the sidewall at the bead has cracked. The crack is 10" long. The crack is behind the bead on the wheel which caused the tire to lose air quickly causing the left rear tire to fail. The vehicle was parked when the tire failed. The dealership offered 30% off of a new tire.…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2000 BMW 740il as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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