2001 BMW 740I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
24
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2001 BMW 740I
The 2001 BMW 740I has received a total of 24 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN, TIRES:SIDEWALL. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (3 complaints), Air Bags (2 complaints), and Electrical System (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2001 BMW 740I
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2001 BMW 740I, potentially affecting up to 81,336 vehicles.
Recall 10E021000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
| 150 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 01V206000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 76,469 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW...
View full details →Recall 01V001000 — TIRES:SIDEWALL
| 3,167 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18-INCH TIRES. (18-INCH TIRES ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE M5 AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 7-SERIES MODELS). THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE SIDEWALL OF ONE OR MORE TIRES. THE DAMAGED AREA COULD WEAKEN TO THE POINT WHERE A SUDDEN...
Consequence: HANDLING AND CONTROL WOULD BE DRASTICALLY AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE...
View full details →Recall 02V138000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 1,550 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2001 BMW 740I
24 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW 740I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steeringlinkagesarmidler And Attachment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontstabilizer Bar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionrear | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
On January 22, 20222, I was traveling down highway 400 in Sandy Springs, Georgia and my left (driver's side) // rear tire EXPLODED and I almost lost control of the vehicle. The main part of the tread completely separated from the rest of the tire, but I was able to recover it from down in the woods. I have not taken it to a mechanic or tire shop yet, so I still have the rim that has the remnants of the sidewall attached to it as well as the tread portion of the tire for inspection. I didn't hit a pothole and wasn't aware of any object that I ran over. It was a sunny day; the pavement was dry and it was about 45 degrees. The tires were filled with nitrogen. I inspected all tires before I started driving and I didn't see anything unusual or previous damage. There were no warning lamps or messages before my tire EXPLODED. The car did sustain damage to the driver's side rear bumper cover and possibly suspension components. All four tires were purchased from Costco in September 2020 when the vehicle had 113,429 miles. The vehicle currently has 114,668 miles on the odometer and approx. had 114,648 miles on it at the time of the incident. All four tires are Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4. The front has 235/50ZR 18 and the rear has // had 255/45ZR 18.
VEHICLE HAD BEEN STATIONARY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND WAS PARKED WITH EMERGENCY BREAK ENGAGED. KEY WAS NOT INSERTED. DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN, ALL DOORS UNLOCKED. NO RECENT OCCUPANTS OTHER THAN THE DRIVER SEAT. PARKED AT HOME,IN DRIVEWAY, IN GAINESVILLE, GA, US. I UNLOADED SOME GROCERIES THEN CAME BACK TO CLOSE DRIVER DOOR. AS I APPROACHED THE VEHICLE TO CLOSE DRVER SIDE DOOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGE SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT PRIOR TO THIS. IT WAS A HOT DAY.
VEHICLE HAD BEEN STATIONARY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND WAS PARKED WITH EMERGENCY BREAK ENGAGED. KEY WAS NOT INSERTED. DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN, ALL DOORS UNLOCKED. NO RECENT OCCUPANTS OTHER THAN THE DRIVER SEAT. PARKED AT HOME,IN DRIVEWAY, IN GAINESVILLE, GA, US. I UNLOADED SOME GROCERIES THEN CAME BACK TO CLOSE DRIVER DOOR. AS I APPROACHED THE VEHICLE TO CLOSE DRVER SIDE DOOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGE SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT PRIOR TO THIS. IT WAS A HOT DAY.
VEHICLE HAD BEEN STATIONARY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND WAS PARKED WITH EMERGENCY BREAK ENGAGED. KEY WAS NOT INSERTED. DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN, ALL DOORS UNLOCKED. NO RECENT OCCUPANTS OTHER THAN THE DRIVER SEAT. PARKED AT HOME,IN DRIVEWAY, IN GAINESVILLE, GA, US. I UNLOADED SOME GROCERIES THEN CAME BACK TO CLOSE DRIVER DOOR. AS I APPROACHED THE VEHICLE TO CLOSE DRVER SIDE DOOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGE SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT PRIOR TO THIS. IT WAS A HOT DAY.
A CHEVY PICKUP PULLED INTO THE ONE WAY ROAD LEADING TO A HOTEL AND IMMEDIATELY WENT AROUND AN ELLIPSE AND HIT ME AS I WAS EXITING MY HOTEL AND GOT HIT IN THE DRIVERS FRONT QUARTER PANEL WHILE HE WAS PULLING AROUND IN THE ELLIPTICAL ONE WAY DRIVE. THE ENGINE WAS CHECKED AND IT NEEDS $5500 WORTH OF MECHANICAL WORK IN ORDER FOR IT "TO BE SAFE TO DRIVE.
Safety Rating for the 2001 BMW 740I
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 BMW 740I in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 BMW 740I
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 BMW 740I
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 740I
- 1996 BMW 740I — 1 complaint
- 1997 BMW 740I — 3 complaints
- 1998 BMW 740I — 12 complaints
- 1999 BMW 740I — 9 complaints
- 2000 BMW 740I — 18 complaints
- 2001 BMW 740I (current)