The 1989 BMW 750ila has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 340,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING98V1780001998-08-04340,000 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS…
Consequence
IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
1fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
1fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1
1fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
1
1fires1injuries
Total complaints4
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“On july 13th 2003, my 1989 750 il with only 84000 miles suddenly caught on f I r e while driving on the highway. The fire was in the passenger compartment near the gear box and dash board area. My wife pulled over immediately and was helped by other motorist and the springer, nm fire dept at mile…”
“On july 13th 2003, my 1989 750 il with only 84000 miles suddenly caught on f I r e while driving on the highway. The fire was in the passenger compartment near the gear box and dash board area. My wife pulled over immediately and was helped by other motorist and the springer, nm fire dept at mile…”
“On july 13th 2003, my 1989 750 il with only 84000 miles suddenly caught on f I r e while driving on the highway. The fire was in the passenger compartment near the gear box and dash board area. My wife pulled over immediately and was helped by other motorist and the springer, nm fire dept at mile…”
“On july 13th 2003, my 1989 750 il with only 84000 miles suddenly caught on f I r e while driving on the highway. The fire was in the passenger compartment near the gear box and dash board area. My wife pulled over immediately and was helped by other motorist and the springer, nm fire dept at mile…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 BMW 750ila as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.