FaultScore report
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 1993 BMW 740I with NHTSA between 1998 and 2010. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 8 worst.
FaultScore 83/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 740I.
How this is worked out24
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 1 fires · median 67,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 58,471 mi
Median failure at 120,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires
Median failure at 120,000 miles
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GASKETS IN ENGINE, OIL PAN, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD HAVE FAILED APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES AFTER ORIGINALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE SMOKED AND LEAKED OIL ONTO MANIFOLD. MR
NHTSA complaint #767886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
GASKETS IN ENGINE, OIL PAN, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD HAVE FAILED APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES AFTER ORIGINALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE SMOKED AND LEAKED OIL ONTO MANIFOLD. MR
NHTSA complaint #767886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE CAUGT FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY UP WITH IN MINUTES AFTER LEAVING BMW DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #761709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC OPERATORS SEAT, IT WOULD COMPLETELY RECLINE TO A HORIZONTAL POSITION, ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT RECLINED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB, DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES AND LATER RESULTING IN COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT AND IS CONTINUING MEDICAL TREATMENT, THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANY TRANSMISSION REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS 8000 DOLLARS, BMW STATED THEY WOULD REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROL MODULE IF THE CONSUMER SIGNED A RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC OPERATORS SEAT, IT WOULD COMPLETELY RECLINE TO A HORIZONTAL POSITION, ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT RECLINED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB, DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES AND LATER RESULTING IN COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT AND IS CONTINUING MEDICAL TREATMENT, THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANY TRANSMISSION REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS 8000 DOLLARS, BMW STATED THEY WOULD REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROL MODULE IF THE CONSUMER SIGNED A RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 740I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE GAS TANK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. A DAY LATER, THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT A PATCH ON THE GAS TANK SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC. A LOCAL MECHANIC AGAIN REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY CLEANED UP THE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY ORDERED ANOTHER FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FUEL WAS ALREADY IMPLODED LIKE THE OTHERS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THEY TOOK THE OLD FUEL TANKS TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD SEE HOW THEY IMPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED JULY 10, 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,471 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,843.
NHTSA complaint #10353261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 740I. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT A CRASH FROM OCCURRING. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILAGES WERE 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10227662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED ON MY 1994 BMW 740I. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MODEL YEAR HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM RELATED TO THE SULPHUR CONTENT IN AMERICA GASOLINE. PLEASE INFORM ME OR ANY RECALL OR RECOURSE I MAY BE ABLE TO TAKE REGARDING THIS MATTER. DEMETRIUS BRANDON (505) 265-1130
NHTSA complaint #10116033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT WIRES, AND OTHER PARTS TO THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. AK
NHTSA complaint #10080084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT ON MY 1993 BMW 740I RECLINED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. SEAT BACK WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND WILL NOT MOVE. THIS MADE ME LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF CAR, LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITH OUT CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10019056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE IS A 1993 BMW 740 WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO AN ENGINE RECALL IN SEPTEMBER OF 1996 AT 67,000 MILES. IMMEDIATELY AND SINCE THAT TIME, THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED DOCUMENTED OIL LEAKS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 10/1996, 12/1996, 5/1999, 6/1999, 3/2000, 6/2001, 10/2001, 1/2002, 5/2002, 7/2002, 2/2003. THERE ARE OTHER INCIDENTS OF OIL LEAKS NOT DOCUMENTED. FAIRFAX BMW, OF FAIRFAX VIRGINIA WAS THE SERVICE STATION FOR EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS. MOST OF THE TIME THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETECTED OR IT WAS A GUESS THAT THE OIL GASKET WAS FAULTY (THE OIL GASKETS WERE REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TIMES, IN WHICH THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP MORE THAN TWO DAYS FOR EACH REPLACEMENT). FEBRUARY 2003, THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL AGAIN. FAIRFAX BMW WILL CHARGE MORE THAN $4500 FOR THIS REPAIR IF WE CHOOSE TO BRING IT IN AGAIN. WE ARE TRYING TO TAKE ANOTHER APPROACH TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM BY CONTACTING YOU. THE CAR HAS 98,000 MILES ON IT (11,000 MILES IN FIVE AND A HALF YEARS). WE HAVE WRITTEN AND CALLED TO BMW HEADQUARTERS IN NJ THREE TIMES. THEIR RESPONSE IS THAT ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE HAD AT MOST, A ONE-YEAR WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THEY WERE SORRY. THE CAR SITS IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE WE FEAR THE OIL SPRAY AROUND THE ENGINE WILL CAUSE A FIRE IF WE USE IT REGULARLY FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10010906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO FAULTY MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10008914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT A SIGNIFICANT COST. I ASKED THEM IF THE MANUFACTURER COVERED THIS SINCE AN AIRBAG MODULE WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAD MOVING PARTS NOR WAS IT A PART THAT AN OWNER HAS ACCESS TO. THEY TOLD ME ONLY IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART. THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS ON THAT PART BUT I COULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #10007879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
GASKETS IN ENGINE, OIL PAN, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD HAVE FAILED APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES AFTER ORIGINALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE SMOKED AND LEAKED OIL ONTO MANIFOLD. MR
NHTSA complaint #767886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
GASKETS IN ENGINE, OIL PAN, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD HAVE FAILED APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES AFTER ORIGINALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE SMOKED AND LEAKED OIL ONTO MANIFOLD. MR
NHTSA complaint #767886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE CAUGT FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY UP WITH IN MINUTES AFTER LEAVING BMW DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #761709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WOULD ADJUST AND DROP TO THE FULL RECLINE POSITION, WITH THE LOWER PART MOVING TO THE EXTREME FOWARD POSITON, CONSUMER STATES ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT COMPLETELY, FULLY RECLINED WHICH COULD NOT BE STOPPED OR ADJUSTED WITH THE CONTROLS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PULL OVER, DEALER IS STATING THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND TO REPLACE THE MODULE ELECTRONICS WHICH CONSUMER FEELS IS THE DEFECTIVE PART AND ALSO MAKES A CLICKING NOISE, THE DEALER STATES IT WOULD COSTS SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS AND THE COMPUTER CHIPS CONTROL COULD NOT BE ROUTINELT TESTES.
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER STATES THE DASH ELECTRONICS IN THE CLUSTER ARE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE HOSE CLAMP WAS LEAKING WHICH WAS THEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM REAR TIRE, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8008437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER STATES THE DASH ELECTRONICS IN THE CLUSTER ARE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE HOSE CLAMP WAS LEAKING WHICH WAS THEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC OPERATORS SEAT, IT WOULD COMPLETELY RECLINE TO A HORIZONTAL POSITION, ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT RECLINED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB, DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES AND LATER RESULTING IN COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT AND IS CONTINUING MEDICAL TREATMENT, THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANY TRANSMISSION REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS 8000 DOLLARS, BMW STATED THEY WOULD REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROL MODULE IF THE CONSUMER SIGNED A RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER STATES THE DASH ELECTRONICS IN THE CLUSTER ARE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC OPERATORS SEAT, IT WOULD COMPLETELY RECLINE TO A HORIZONTAL POSITION, ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT RECLINED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB, DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES AND LATER RESULTING IN COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT AND IS CONTINUING MEDICAL TREATMENT, THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANY TRANSMISSION REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS 8000 DOLLARS, BMW STATED THEY WOULD REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROL MODULE IF THE CONSUMER SIGNED A RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK, THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE HOSE CLAMP WAS LEAKING WHICH WAS THEN REPLACED.*JB ENGINE WAS REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE WATER PUMP, ENGINE PAN, AND VALVE COVERS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
WHILE DRIVING POWER SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, PINNING THE DRIVER AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER REMOVED THE CONTROL UNIT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST OF REPLACEMENT, NOW SEAT CANNOT BE MOVED MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY. *AK
NHTSA complaint #859309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVNG AND APPLYING THE GAS, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. ENGINE STAYS ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #852452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED SMOKE, MORE SMOKE FURTHER DOWN ROAD. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD & LIFTED HOOD. NOTICED COOLANT HAD LEAKED OUT. ALSO, HOSE TO RADIATOR WAS DISCONNECTED. CLAMP STILL ON HOSE & WAS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #824959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.