2000 BMW 740I

Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2000 BMW 740I — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.

What owners report breaking

Top 8

The parts named most often across 12 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”

Power train325%
Fuel system, gasoline217%
Air bags18%
1 crash
Electrical system,seats18%
1 fire
Engine and engine cooling,visibility,equipment18%
Exterior lighting18%
Seats18%
Service brakes, hydraulic18%

Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.

SourceNHTSA Complaintschecked Jul 22, 2026, 9:15 PM

Safety recalls

2 open

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION27/05/2010

Issue: FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.

Risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-634-0063.

Campaign 10E021000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH17/02/2000

Issue: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.

Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.

Campaign 00V048000

SourceNHTSA Recallschecked Jul 22, 2026, 9:15 PM

Owner complaints

12 filed

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

SEATS09/13/2017

WHEN SEAT HEATER SWITCHED ON, A BURNING SMELL RESULTED. I SWITCHED IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. INSPECTION OF SEAT AFTERWARDS RESULTED IN FINDING A SPOT WHERE THE LEATHER WAS BURNED. CLEARLY THIS COULD RESULT IN A BURN TO THE DRIVER OR A FIRE.

POWER TRAIN06/13/2011

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MAY 2009 AND SHORTLY AFTER IN THE SUMMER, AUGUST EARLY SEPTEMBER, THE REVERSE STARTED TO ACT UP. SOMETIMES I HAD TO WAIT A SHORT PERIOD FOR THE REVERSE TO ACTUALLY ENGAGE. IT STARTED TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AND I HAD IT INSPECTED. THE RESULT WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE ISSUE. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT IN DECEMBER WHICH COST JUST OVER $4000. IT IS NOW RUNNING FINE BUT II WAS SUPER IRRITATED SINCE THIS AUTOMOBILE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A LUXURY VEHICLE AND NOT A LEMON. BMW SHOULD HAVE TO COMPENSATE CUSTOMERS FOR THESE TYPES OF ISSUE AS I BELIEVE A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL IN THIS TYPE OF CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT REPUTATION. *TR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSfire06/05/2011

ON SATURDAY, JUNE 4, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2000 BMW 740I. SHE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 4 BLOCKS AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BROKE OUT IN FLAMES. IT BEGAN WHEN THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON SO SHE PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WHEN SHE STEPPED BACK FROM THE CAR, SHE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE SEAT OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAS HEATED SEATS -- BUT THE FIRE SEEMED TO COME FROM THE PANEL OF CONTROLS THAT IS ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE IN THE SEAT OF THE CAR. THE MENLO PARK, CA FIRE DEPARTMENT TOOK A REPORT. *TR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING03/08/2010

TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2000 BMW 740I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS VEHICLE HAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V048000. THE RECALL STATES THAT IF THE SWITCH DOES NOT HAVE A WHITE STRIPE ON IT THEN IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FEELS THE VEHICLE NEEDS THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THE WHITE STRIPE. THE DEALER STATES THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 1999 AND OCTOBER 28, 1999, THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE COVERED. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78800.

POWER TRAIN12/16/2009

I JUST RECEIVED AN EMAIL GIVING ME AN UPDATE ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. I OWN A 2000 BMW 740I AND THE REVERSE ALSO WENT OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT. I BELIEVE THAT BEING "A TOP OF THE LINE AUTOMOBILE" THE REVERSE SHOULD NOT BE FAILING. *TR

POWER TRAIN03/24/2009

ABOUT NOVEMBER OF 2007 I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A DELAY IN ENGAGING REVERSE. I WENT TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED FOR THIS AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A POSSIBLE VALVE BODY ISSUE WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION BEING THE BEST SOLUTION BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT SURE AND IT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO BE SAFE. MARCH OF 2008 THE REVERSE GEAR COMPLETELY FAILED AND FROM THAT POINT UNTIL PRESENT THE CAR WILL NOT REVERSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION AND I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING, "REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION" TO BE SAFE. I EVEN CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE04/01/2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL PUMP FAILED. *AK *LA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE02/01/2004

MY CAR WAS LEAKING GAS FROM THE TANK ON THE WAY HOME AND WHEN I GOT HOME I NOTICED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS WET WITH GAS AND IT LEAKED ON THE FLOOR MY WHOLE GARAGE IS FILLED WITH GAS VAPOR. *JB

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT08/22/2003

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AS STATED IN RECALL 03 V 159 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK ALSO THE RADIATOR LEAK COOLANT, THE AIR CONDITION MADE A NOISE, THE COMPUTER BOARD IMAGES WENT OUT AND THEN CAME BACK ON, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE HANDS FREE EQUIPMENT WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB

AIR BAGScrash08/14/2003

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED THE DRIVER WEARING THE SEAT BELT HAD A FRONT COLLISION, AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING PRIOR TO THE CRASH. POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES AVAILABLE. *AK

TIRES07/18/2003

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT FROM THE CENTER OF THE TIRE. (PILOT SPORT A/W) *AK *SCC *JB

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12/09/2001

WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT APPEAR UNTIL ABOUT 4TH EPISODE OF BRAKE PROBLEM. COMPUTER FOUND IT NECESSARY TO ACTIVATE ABS BECAUSE OF ROTOR FAILURE. DIFFICULT TO STOP. IMMEDIATE REPAIR ACTIVITY INSTITUTED WHEN I TOOK IT TO DEALER, BMW. GOOD DEALER RESPONSE. TOO SOON TO HAVE SUCH FAILURE ON VEHICLE. LITES SHOULD HAVE COME ON FIST TIME I FELT THE ABS DEPLOYED (@ LOW MPH).*AK

SourceNHTSA Complaintschecked Jul 22, 2026, 9:15 PM

Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

Not rated

NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model/year (common for older, low-volume, or heavy-duty vehicles).

SourceNHTSA NCAP Safety Ratingschecked Jul 22, 2026, 9:15 PM

Fuel economy & running cost

No match

No EPA fuel-economy match for this model (naming may differ or it predates EPA records).

SourceEPA fueleconomy.govchecked Jul 22, 2026, 9:15 PM

Checking one specific BMW 740I?

Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.

Run a VIN →

Other BMW 740I model years

Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every BMW 740I year.

🔧What owners report breaking

⚠️Safety recalls

💬Owner complaints

🛡️Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

⛽Fuel economy & running cost

Checking one specific BMW 740I?

Other BMW 740I model years

⛽Fuel economy & running cost

⚠️Safety recalls

🛡️Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

🔧What owners report breaking

💬Owner complaints

What owners report breaking

Safety recalls

Owner complaints

Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

Fuel economy & running cost

Fuel economy & running cost

Safety recalls

Crash-test ratings (NCAP)

What owners report breaking

Owner complaints