BMW

740il

Large Cars · model years 1993 to 2001

See all 8 740il trims All BMW cars

The verdict

Best year: 1999. complaints: 6, below this model's typical 12; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2001. complaints: 26, about 2.2x this model's typical 12; recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the BMW 740il
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1993	1Gas	16	$4,800	1	9	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 40%, POWER TRAIN 20%, AIR BAGS 10%
complaints: 9, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	1Gas	17	$4,550	1	3	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 67%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%
complaints: 3, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	1Gas	17	$4,550	3	12	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 31%, VISIBILITY 23%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%
complaints: 12, in line with this model's typical 12 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 33 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	1Gas	18	$4,300	1	11	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 21%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 21%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%
complaints: 11, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	1Gas	18	$4,300	1	19	SUSPENSION 22%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%, STEERING 15%
complaints: 19, about 1.6x this model's typical 12 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 48 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	1Gas	18	$3,450	0	26	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 13%
complaints: 26, about 2.2x this model's typical 12 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	1Gas	18	$3,450	0	6	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%, POWER TRAIN 17%
complaints: 6, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 88 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	1Gas	18	$4,300	1	26	AIR BAGS 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%
complaints: 26, about 2.2x this model's typical 12 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 28 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1993: 16 to 2001: 18

Owner complaints1993: 9 to 2001: 26

How we score each year

We compare each year of the BMW 740il to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.