The 1989 BMW 735i has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 340,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. 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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Thermostat broke and blew a hose/heater developed a crack, and this fogged up the window. Consumer couldn't see. Also, antifreeze smell was in the cabin, and water pump broke. *ak”
“Thermostat broke and blew a hose/heater developed a crack, and this fogged up the window. Consumer couldn't see. Also, antifreeze smell was in the cabin, and water pump broke. *ak”
“Thermostat broke and blew a hose/heater developed a crack, and this fogged up the window. Consumer couldn't see. Also, antifreeze smell was in the cabin, and water pump broke. *ak”
“Vehicle experiences continued electrical failures, repairs completed several times however continues to fail causing shorting out of components and vehicle stalling. Mjs”
“Vehicle experienced stalling on several occasions replacement of the oxygen sensor & control unit to rectify problems. Mjs”
“Vehicle experienced stalling on several occasions replacement of the oxygen sensor & control unit to rectify problems. Mjs”
“Brakes rotors and pads failed causing vibration on several occasions. Mjs”
“Brakes rotors and pads failed causing vibration on several occasions. Mjs”
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 735i as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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