The 1997 BMW 740il has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 29,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. 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.
Complaints by component
STEERING
4
SUSPENSION
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
2
AIR BAGS
1
1crashes
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
1
Total complaints27
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Traction control warning light. Bmw service center says that they can't communicate with my vehicle thereby can't diagnose problem(s). Vehicle stationary in shop.”
“Traction control warning light. Bmw service center says that they can't communicate with my vehicle thereby can't diagnose problem(s). Vehicle stationary in shop.”
“Traction control warning light. Bmw service center says that they can't communicate with my vehicle thereby can't diagnose problem(s). Vehicle stationary in shop.”
“I went to the bmw dealer and they say that they have nothing in the computer I think that my safety is first.thank you”
“I went to the bmw dealer and they say that they have nothing in the computer I think that my safety is first.thank you”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 bmw 740il. While driving over a bump in the road or pothole, the vehicle shook abnormally. Additionally the tie rod failed without warning. There was also an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle when driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 bmw 740il. While driving over a bump in the road or pothole, the vehicle shook abnormally. Additionally the tie rod failed without warning. There was also an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle when driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it…”
“Steering and over all control of the vehicle is compromised for no reason feels like it is disconnecting and loose clanking noises form front suspension all the time on all surfaces also a squeaky old bed frame noise appears . Concerned about family safety the vehicle is well cared for. Feels like…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 BMW 740il as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.