The 1995 BMW 740il has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 50,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION97V1400001997-08-2229,000 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ROAD GRIT AND GRAVEL ASSOCIATED WITH WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS CAN PENETRATE THE RUBBER OF THE LOWER FRONT SPRING MOUNTS AND ACCUMULATE IN THE MOUNTS CAUSING NOTCHES OR PITS TO DEVELOP. THESE NOTCHES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS RESULTING IN BREAKAGE OF A BOTTOM COIL OF THE SPRING.
Consequence
THE VEHICLE'S RIDE HEIGHT COULD BE AFFECTED CAUSING NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY CAN BE AFFECTED REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.
FUEL SEEPAGE CAN OCCUR BETWEEN A HOSE AND THE METAL FUEL LINE ON EITHER END OF THE HOSE RESULTING IN FUEL ODOR.
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FUEL HOSES, FOUR METAL FUEL LINES AND ASSOCIATED CLAMPS.
SUSPENSION95V1920001995-10-113,000 affected
Defect
THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM MOUNTING EYE ON THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE HUB CARRIER WAS PRODUCED WITH A CASTING FLAW.
Consequence
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE CARRIER EYE COULD CRACK AND BREAK WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR A CASTING FLAW IN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE CARRIER AND IF FOUND, REPLACE THE CARRIER.
Complaints by component
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
3
2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
SEAT BELTS
1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
1
1fires
STEERING
1
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“When I get into my car the steering wheel is locked and I can't get it unlocked unless I turn on and off my caution lights or move the button back and forth on the console that has an a on one end and a m on the other. As soon as I get out of the car it locks and won't move unless I do that and I…”
“I was driving to work and was passing a truck in front of me and heard a loud pop. I thought my windshield had been hit by something until I saw that there was no damage, so I kept driving. My car began to overheat so I slowed down. When I got to work I looked at my car and saw that the hood had…”
“I was driving to work and was passing a truck in front of me and heard a loud pop. I thought my windshield had been hit by something until I saw that there was no damage, so I kept driving. My car began to overheat so I slowed down. When I got to work I looked at my car and saw that the hood had…”
“Radiator fan exploded while driving on freeway. Pieces of fan flew throughout engine bay (hood dented upwards 2 inches) broken pieces of fan lodged under throttle mechanism - wedged throttle wide open. Car continued to accellerate even under full braking (to limit of my strength). Had to shut…”
“The engine collapsed without warning. The dealer diagnosed the problem as broke piston, which caused the engine rod and cylinder to fail. *jb”
“The vehicle was included in recall 95v238000 for fuel hose leakage. The recall was performed in 1996 but fuel began to leak again. The consumer has replaced the hoses twice since the recall and they are leaking again *ak *nlm”
“Clogged vent tube and expansion tank caused excess vacuum which collapsed fuel tank. Tank creased as a result and leaking gas along crease.*ak”
“After getting out of vehicle and returning 35 minutes later, noticed window was smoky. After opening door, consumer noticed that heated seats melted. Fire department was contacted, and put fire out. *ak *yh”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1995 BMW 740il as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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