BMW 740I Problems by Year
BMW 740I years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 740I year: 2000, 2001, 2016, 2023. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2001 740I: 15 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2023 740I: 12 complaints, 9 recalls
- 2016 740I: 12 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common BMW 740I problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 22 | 12 | 1 |
| Engine | 14 | 8 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 9 | 5 | 5 |
| Power Train | 9 | 6 | 1 |
| Suspension | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Structure | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All BMW 740I model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 740I | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2024 740I | 3 | 5 | — | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | |
| 2023 740I | 12 | 9 | — | Service Brakes | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2021 740I | 1 | 2 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | |
| 2020 740I | 1 | 2 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2019 740I | 4 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2018 740I | 5 | 0 | — | Engine | |
| 2017 740I | 7 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2016 740I | 12 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 740I | 1 | 1 | — | Engine | |
| 2014 740I | 1 | 1 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2013 740I | 1 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2012 740I | 4 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2001 740I | 15 | 3 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 740I | 12 | 1 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 740I | 8 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1998 740I | 8 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1997 740I | 3 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1996 740I | 1 | 2 | — | Suspension | |
| 1995 740I | 9 | 4 | — | Electrical System |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 740I years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2000 (12), 2001 (15), 2016 (12), 2023 (12) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 740I year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the BMW 740I?
Electrical System, with 22 complaints across 12 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 740I have?
22 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.