1994 Bmw 740I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
89,411 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 6 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
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:Engine | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Suspension: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2004: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10054756 · 2004-01-23 (January 23, 2004)
I HAVE LISTED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT ARE EQUAL TO THE TYPE OF PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING. TELL IF THIS TRUE AND WHAT CAN I DO. I HAVE A 1994 BMW 740I WITH 89,000 MILES. 1) 740I M60 SLIGHT SHAKING VIBRATING AT IDLE HELLO, MY 740I MODEL 1994 95,000 MILES (BUILT SPET. 1993) IS SHAKING A LITTLE AT IDLE. I HEARD ABOUT THE NIKASIL ISSUE, BMW SHOP SAYS THAT'S NOT THE REASON. THE AIR PRESSURE HAS BEEN TESTED FOR LEAKAGE (AT OIL FILL IN) AND WITH 2.5 (OF WHATEVER) IT IS OKAY, SAYS THE MECHANIC. 3.5 AND ABOVE WOULD BE BAD, HE SAYS. THEIR SOLUT…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,411 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072791 · 2004-05-18 (May 18, 2004)
SINCE 1999 MY 1994 740I WITH 41,367 MILES HAS INTERIM CAR SHAKES ON THE STREET AND AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. FOR TWO YEARS THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING AND WE SHOULD REPLACE THE MOUNTS. *AK NOW IN 2004 THE ENGINE SHAKES REAL BAD, LACKS POWER, AND A LOT OF GREY SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. WE'VE GONE BACK TO THE DEALER AND AFTER CHARGING US $350 FOR A CYLINDER LEAK TEST WE HAVE CONFIRMATION THAT ALL 8 CYLINDERS HAVE BETWEEN A 38%-60% LEAK. BMW NOW STATES THAT AT 73,114 WE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF $14,732.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,367 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178546 · 2007-01-10 (January 10, 2007)
1994 740I BMW LEAK DOWN PROBLEM THAT DESTROYED THE ENGINE**CC THE LEAK DOWN FLAW CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DEVELOP WORN LININGS AND EXHIBIT A ROUGH IDLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER USED NIKASIL, AN ALUMINUM, NICKEL AND SILICON ALLOY TO LINE THE CYLINDERS OF THE M60 ENGINE. THE CROSS HATCHED NIKASIL LININGS REACTED WITH HIGH SULFUR CONTENT FOUND IN LOWER-QUALITY GASOLINE. THE REACTION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VERY TOP OF THE CYLINDER BORE, WHERE THERE IS MOST CONTACT OF THE BURNING MIXTURE AND THE CYLINDER LINING. THE DAMAGE PREVENTED A GOOD S…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10178546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10199160 · 2007-08-03 (August 3, 2007)
LTR FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT ALLOWING BMW TO IMPORT AUTOMOBILES INTO THE US MARKET WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE**CC THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1994 BMW 740I WHICH HAD A PROBLEM KNOWS AS A LEAK DOWN PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGINE BLOCK HAVING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER USED NIKASIL, AN ALUMINUM NIKEL AND SILICON ALLOY TO LINE THE CYLINDERS OF THE M60 ENGINE. THE CROSS-HATCHED NIKASIL LININGS REACT WITH HIGH SULFUR CONTENT GASOLINE. THE REACTION CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE VERY TOP OF THE CYLIND…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10199160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10246543 · 2008-10-23 (October 23, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 740I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CRUISE CONTROL LOCKED UP AT FULL THROTTLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO OVER 100 MPH WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, AS WELL AS ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. HE DROVE TO A SERVICE STATION AND SOMEONE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY NORMALLY WITHOUT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE BMW DEALER ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEM ON OCTOBER 2…
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8010419 · 2002-05-23 (May 23, 2002)
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, IT ROLLS BACK LIKE VECHICLE IS STILL IN REVERSE. DEALER CONTACTED.*JB REPLACED BUSHINGS AND IDLER ARM AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. LEFT VALVE COVER GASKET REPLACED. REPLACED POWER STEERING RETURN CLAMP. REPLACED FRONT CONVERTER TO WELD. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8010419 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V111000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1997-08-19 (August 19, 1997)
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗