Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2000 BMW 740I with NHTSA between 2001 and 2017.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 8 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 54
Against the median year of the BMW 740I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 79
46% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 BMW 740I
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Equipment & Accessories
316.7%
Median failure at 22,565 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
316.7%
Median failure at 82,868 miles
Seats
211.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 139,550 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
211.1%
Median failure at 59,075 miles
Brakes
211.1%
Tires
15.6%
Median failure at 20,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.6%
Median failure at 22,565 miles
Lights
15.6%
Median failure at 78,000 miles
Airbags
15.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
15.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 140,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
15.6%
Median failure at 22,565 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
646.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
215.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
215.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
323.1%
When owners complained
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.
Dec 2001peak 5Sep 2017
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 140,000 milesAtherton, CAFire
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10404526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesAtherton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10404526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Mary, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10033949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 139,100 milesPortland, OR
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11023377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
London, 00
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10406059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesAtherton, CAFire
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10404526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesAtherton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10404526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesAlexandria, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #10317767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
London, Ontario Canada, 00
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10296044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,868 milesOakland, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10262928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesSAN Clemente, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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
NHTSA complaint #10061111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,150 milesAtlanta, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10056280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Mary, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10033949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,565 milesDarien, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10030099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,565 milesDarien, GA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10030099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,565 milesDarien, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #10030099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,565 milesDarien, GA
EQUIPMENT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10030099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10030099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesWestport, CT
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT FROM THE CENTER OF THE TIRE. (PILOT SPORT A/W) *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10024256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camarillo, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT APPEAR UNTIL ABOUT 4TH EPISODE OF BRAKE PROBLEM. COMPUTER FOUND IT NECESSARY TO ACTIVATE ABS BECAUSE OF ROTOR FAILURE. DIFFICULT TO STOP. IMMEDIATE REPAIR ACTIVITY INSTITUTED WHEN I TOOK IT TO DEALER, BMW. GOOD DEALER RESPONSE. TOO SOON TO HAVE SUCH FAILURE ON VEHICLE. LITES SHOULD HAVE COME ON FIST TIME I FELT THE ABS DEPLOYED (@ LOW MPH).
NHTSA complaint #755452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camarillo, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT APPEAR UNTIL ABOUT 4TH EPISODE OF BRAKE PROBLEM. COMPUTER FOUND IT NECESSARY TO ACTIVATE ABS BECAUSE OF ROTOR FAILURE. DIFFICULT TO STOP. IMMEDIATE REPAIR ACTIVITY INSTITUTED WHEN I TOOK IT TO DEALER, BMW. GOOD DEALER RESPONSE. TOO SOON TO HAVE SUCH FAILURE ON VEHICLE. LITES SHOULD HAVE COME ON FIST TIME I FELT THE ABS DEPLOYED (@ LOW MPH).
NHTSA complaint #755452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.