Consumer complained about a cooling system problem. The hose that was connected to the radiator melted from the heat that came from the engine.
The worst 1997 BMW 740I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine2
- Fuel system1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine2
- Fuel system1
Recalls 2
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V140000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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 bushing. In this case, during application of the throttle pedal without cruise control being engaged, the outer tube could catch on the edge of the broken bushing.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V131000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 BMW 740I 15
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- Program dme
- Program dme (for O2 sensors)
- Replacement heater cores for E38 vehicles
- Information on evaporative emission control and fuel filler cap / filler door labels
- Subject on tank ventilation leak couplers
- Condition with brake pad warning stays illuminated after brake pad replacement
- New evaporative (charcoal) canister purge line
- Experiencing an intermittent momentary event where the brake pedal does not immediatlely return
- Installation on mounting brackets for cmt 5000/cpt 6000 phones
What 1997 BMW 740I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
There seems to be a common defect in the '1995-'01 bmw 740 series gas tank. There is a problem that occurs that creates a vaccum in the tank which then makes the tank implode. It just crush in upon itself until it pops or a seam breaks somewhere. This happened to me yesterday while I was driving to work and had 17 gallons of gas spewing from underneath the car. I didn't notice it until I was in my parking garage which is in a 49 story building. The jersey city fire department came then brought in their hazmat team. They recovered/cleaned up maybe 7 gallons while in the garage so about 10 gallons spilled while I was driving. Needless to say this was an extremely dangerous situation that could have been prevented if bmw had recalled the car on this item. It has happened to at least 6 other people on this message board that I'm a part of: http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e38/ I'm just glad that no one got hurt and that my 3 and 1 year old daughters were not in the car. But if something is not done soon someone is going to die as a result of this defect.
Upper nipple with hose connector on radiator is made of plastic and breaks off with fragments left in the hose. This really should not be made of plastic as intensely hot water passes through it all the time. This amounts to an expensive repair.
Compare the 1997 BMW 740I
Other model years
1993199419951996199719981999200020012012201320142015201620172018201920202021202320242026
Questions about the 1997 BMW 740I
Is the 1997 BMW 740I reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1997 BMW 740I, fewer than a typical 740I model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 BMW 740I?
Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is fuel system (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 BMW 740I have?
2 recalls, covering suspension and vehicle speed control.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 BMW 740I?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history