1998 BMW 740IL problems & reliability
26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 BMW 740IL. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 27% |
| Electrical System | 6 | 23% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 23% |
| Power Train | 4 | 15% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 12% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 8% |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 8% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 8% |
| Structure | 2 | 8% |
| Suspension | 2 | 8% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 19 reported components →Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 20 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 106,935 miles (middle 50% between 88,820 and 171,250 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The alarm system runs down the battery and the head lights blanks constantly while car is running also back taillight goes off on on on passage side . *tr”
Exterior Lighting · filed Apr 9, 2015
“The alarm system runs down the battery and the head lights blanks constantly while car is running also back taillight blank off on passage side. *tr”
Electronic Stability Control (esc) · filed Apr 9, 2015
“I was driving my bmw 740il on 2-17-2015 when after getting onto the highway and accelerating, there was a loud boom noise and black pieces shot out onto the road in front of me. I immediately got off the first exit only to find that 1.) the car wouldn't stop after I applied the brakes, and 2.) the car continued to…”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Feb 25, 2015
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
11 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 BMW 740IL. The 10 most recent:
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 16, 2024
Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
B650916 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2018
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module:
B122817 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2017
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
B122917 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2017
Information on evaporative emission control and fuel filler cap / filler door labels. *yc
16 01 98 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 1998
Replacement heater cores for e38 vehicles. *yc
64 01 98 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 1998
Experiencing an intermittent momentary event where the brake pedal does not immediatlely return. Models built prior to 3/97 *db*yc
34 01 98 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1998
New evaporative (charcoal) canister purge line. All e38 and e39 modele introduced into production approximately 3/97 *db*yc
16 04 97 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1998
Condition with brake pad warning stays illuminated after brake pad replacement. *yc
62 01 98 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1998
Subject on tank ventilation leak couplers. *yc
04 01 98 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1998
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1998 BMW 740IL in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1998 BMW 740IL?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 106,935 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.