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.
The worst 2000 BMW 740I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission3
- Fuel system2
- Seats2
- Airbags1
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission3
- Fuel system2
- Seats2
- Airbags1
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Lights1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
Recalls 1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 00V048000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2000 BMW 740I 8
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.
- Engine will crank but not start
- Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle
- Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may...
- Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- Program dme
- Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. rm
- Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel...
What 2000 BMW 740I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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Questions about the 2000 BMW 740I
Is the 2000 BMW 740I reliable?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2000 BMW 740I, 3.0 times a typical 740I model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 BMW 740I?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints. Next is fuel system (2).
How many recalls does the 2000 BMW 740I have?
1 recall, covering exterior lighting.
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