Bmw 740ILA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
65,630 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 to 2001 model years. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 60.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 20.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Equipment: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Visibility: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017131 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION (ZF 5HP30) VALVE BODY DESIGN IS FLAWED. THE RESULT IS FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE GEARS, USUALLY REVERSE. IT ALSO CAUSES PREMATURE WEAR ON INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10197337 · 2007-07-24 (July 24, 2007)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS - 1998 740IL. I BOUGHT A CPO BMW 740IL WITH 35,000 MILES. NOW I HAVE 65,600 MILES ON THE CAR AND I TOO AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER CPO WARRANTY, I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I WAS GETTING A CHECK TRANS MESSAGE, WHICH I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS FOR. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ERROR, SAYING THAT THEY COULD NOT READ THE CODE ON THE COMPUTER. WELL NOW THE TRANSMISSION WON\'T GO IN PARK OR REVERSE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE CAR IS OUT OF CP WARRANTY. DAMAGE RESU…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,630 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218612 · 2008-02-20 (February 20, 2008)
MY CAR STUMBLED LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY HOUSE. A FEW HUNDRED FEET LATER IT STALLED COMPLETELY. AT FIRST THE GARAGE THOUGHT IT WAS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. AFTER REPLACING THE PUMP, THE CAR STUMBLED AGAIN AND THE ECU (ENGINE COMPUTER) CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER TOWING THE CAR TO A SECOND GARAGE THEY FOUND A BAD GROUND ON THE HARNESS COMING OFF OF THE THERMOSTAT THAT CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL AS WELL AS THE ECU FIRE. THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE EGS (TRANSMISSION COMPUTER) HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY THIS BAD GROUND ALSO. TOTAL REPAIR BILL FOR THIS FAILURE, ~…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218612 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
1988: 1; 1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1998: 1; 1999: 2; 2001: 2