The 1994 BMW 740i has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 590,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
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.
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
1
SUSPENSION
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
Total complaints9
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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”
“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”
“Driver turned on to heavily traveled state highway when steering wheel failed to turn tires. Car traveled across highway and came to rest just short of ditch. Car had to be towed to dealership for repair.”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 BMW 740i as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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