1998 Bmw 740IL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
106,935 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 25 complaints (24.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 24.0% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 16.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 12.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 12.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
Electrical System: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 6
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
2000: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2015: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10008089 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
ADVISED TO REPLACE REAR CONTROL ARMS (SUSPENION) DUE TO EXCESSIVE SQUEAKING NOISE. THREE DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS ATTEMPTED TO LUBRICATE TO REDUCE NOISE BUT WAS TOLD TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE, THE CONTROL ARMS MUST BE REPLACED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 113,869 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043341 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
FAULTY RADIATORS THAT HAVE A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS FOR THE RADIATOR NECK TO BREAK OFF WITHOUT NOTICE AND SPRAY HOT COOLANT EVERYWHERE. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN JUST VISIT ROADFLY.ORG E38 MESSAGE BOARD AND SEARCH FOR "RADIATOR NECK." THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 50,000-70,000 MILES. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 65,656 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059250 · 2004-02-18 (February 18, 2004)
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED A LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH WARNING ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAIL SAFE PROGRAM. WHEN THIS LIGHT COMES ON VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,210 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116384 · 2005-04-05 (April 5, 2005)
LOW COOLANT MESSAGE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WITHIN A FEW MILES, RADIATOR CAP OVERPRESURED AND STEAM BURST OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. PULLED OVER AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. REPLACED COOLANT HOSES. 4 MONTHS LATER, LOW COOLANT MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING; STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION TO CHECK LEVEL; LEVEL WAS VERY LOW, AND A SLOW LEAK WAS VISIBLE. REPLACED COOLANT RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY. 6 MOS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR. ONE WEEK LATER, THE LOW COOLANT MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN (3RD TIME). COOLANT WAS LOW; TOOK …
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120227 · 2005-05-08 (May 8, 2005)
NO WARNING OTHER THAN A SLIGHT ANIT-FREEZE SMELL. UPON CHECKING OUT THE ODOR, UPPER RADIATOR NECK BETWEEN HOSE CLAMP AND RADIATOR JUST BROKE OFF SPEWING SCALDING HOT FLUID EVERYWHERE. LUCKILY HOOD WAS NOT COMPLETELY OPEN AT THE TIME. RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, NOT REPAIRABLE. OLD PART TOSSED.
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120227 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120642 · 2005-06-07 (June 7, 2005)
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES APPROXIMATELY 4 DAYS AGO THE CLUSTER ON THE DASH WENT OUT THE TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY WERE WORKING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED CONTACT TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE. MONDAY, MAY 9, THE VEHICLE STARTED CHUGGING, AS IF RUNNING OUT OF GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT SEARCHED THE VEHICLE BUT HE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL TANK. *NM *SB THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172477 · 2006-11-02 (November 2, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL LEVEL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. THE MECHANIC MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF RECALL # 98V142000 SIMILAR TO THIS DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SERVICE …
Owner-reported narrative. 135,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172477 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219753 · 2008-02-29 (February 29, 2008)
NOTICE A BUMPING SOUND FOR REAR OF CAR WHEN STOPPED AND RUNNING. FUEL TANK IS IMPLODING!! ALSO, NOTICED THAT GAS TANK MAKES A WHOOSING/SUCKING SOUND WHINE THE GAS CAP IS REMOVED. HEAVY GAS FUMES WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING. NOTICED VERY STRONG GAS FUMES.....GAS TANK IS NOW LEAKING! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AM AWAITING TO HERE BACK FORM THEM. WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A NORMAL ISSUE WITH THE 740IL. WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE TANK REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT. QUITE COSTLY!!! WAS TOLD THAT BMW HAS A SERVICE B…
Owner-reported narrative. 199,562 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219753 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.