2001 BMW 740i Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ENGINE

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740I. WHILE PULLING INTO A FUEL STATION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAN CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V206000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Sep 08, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE THERMOSTAT WIRES WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 9/9/14*CN UPDATED 1/20/2015 *JS

Jul 10, 2014

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

MY DAUGHTER WITH MYSELF AND MY 4 YEAR OLD,RIDING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DRIVING ON MALLARD CREEK ROAD, ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEAR THIS LOUD 'KABOOM' NOISE THIS CAUSED (FOR SOME REASON) THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ON THE DOOR (THE SIDE AIRBAG) TO DEPLOY. WHEN IT DEPLOYED, IT TORE AND THE DOOR FELL APART IN THE INSIDE A STRIP OF DECORATIVE METAL ON THE INTERIOR. THE STRIP WAS ABOUT 2-3 FEET LONG AND HAD BETWEEN 3 AND 5 1" BOLTS PROTRUDING FROM IT. THE METAL STRIP HIT THE DRIVER ON THE ARM AND CAUSED AN ABRASION. WE WERE GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS FOR TWO REASONS: (1) WHY DID THAT PARTICULAR BAG DEPLOY WHEN THERE WAS NO HARD IMPACT AND (2) THE METAL STRIP THAT RIPPED OFF COULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE IN THE EYE OR IN ANOTHER PLACE THAT WOULD CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY. EVEN AS IT WAS, MY DAUGHTER ARM WAS TOTALLY BRUISED ON HER SHOULDER. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO THE DEALER AND THE BMW COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT, BMW CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND SAID THE REASON WHY THIS HAPPENED IS WHEN WE CHANGED THE TIRES ON THE CAR WE CHANGED THE SUSPENSION. THE SUSPENSION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING WHILE JUST DRIVING 35MPH AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AS A RESULT OF THIS MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAUMATIZED, AS A PERMITTED DRIVER SHE MAY HAVE LONG LASTING EFFECT, AT THIS POINT SHE IS SCARED TO DRIVE. FINALLY ONCE BMW CHECKED OUT THE PROBLEM THEY AGREED TO FIX THE DEFECT ONLY IF WE AGREED TO CHANGE THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. PLEASE IF YOU CAN ASSIST US IN HELPING GET THIS AIRBAG & THE DOOR FIXED REASON IS IT'S DANGEROUS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH NO AIRBAGS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Apr 29, 2011

Injuries: 1

VEHICLE WAS HIT BROADSIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE RIGHT IN CENTER OF DRIVER'S DOOR. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Jul 03, 2001

Crash: 1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

BURNED HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THERMOSTAT. FORTUNATELY THE BURNED WIRES WERE ONLY ABOUT 3 INCHES PAST THE CONNECTOR. *TR

Dec 29, 2009

SMOKE FROM ENGINE AND BURNING WIRES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AT THE PLUG TO THE ENGINE COOLING THERMOSTAT SMALL FIRE EXTINGUISHED WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER. *TR

Feb 10, 2008

Fire: 1

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

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.

Jan 23, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

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.

Jul 25, 2020

STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE

1 complaint

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.

Jun 02, 2018

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER PURGE LINE IS BLOCKED AND IS CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO COLLAPSE. *KB

Feb 02, 2012

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

I OWN A 2001 BMW THAT I PURCHASED FROM MY FATHER. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT AND HE WAS THE ONLY OWN. THE BACK SEAT BELTS WERE ALMOST NEVER USED UNTIL I TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. WITHIN THE PAST THREE MONTHS I HAVE NOTICE THAT WHEN MY TWIN 4 YEAR OLDS ARE BUCKLED IN THEIR BOOSTER SEATS THE SEAT BELTS SPONTANEOUSLY UNBUCKLE. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW DIRECTLY AND A LOCAL BMW DEALER. BMW SAYS THAT IT COULD BE WEAR AND TEAR OF THE MECHANISM AND THE DEALER SAID MAYBE IT IS JUST THE AGE OF THE MECHANISM CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. I UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS WEAR OUT AND BREAK BUT APPARENTLY AM UNDER THE FALSE IMPRESSION THAT MY SEAT BELTS AND AIRBAG WILL PROTECT ME AND MY FAMILY IN A CRASH. BMW WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE PART. THE TWO BELTS WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $200 EACH PLUS LABOR. I AM VERY CONCERNED MY CHILDREN WILL BE INJURED SHOULD I BE INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH.

Mar 31, 2010

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

2001 BMW 740I - THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT ANY WARNING JUST STOPPED GOING IN REVERSE. AFTER RESEARCH I FIND OUT THIS IS AN ISSUE RAMPANT AMONG BMW'S AND OWNERS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. PLEASE HELP - IT SEEMS AS IF BMW IS AWARE BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THEY HAVE EVEN DEVELOPED A RING FIX TO REPLACE PRODUCTION PARTS THAT FAIL - HOWEVER WILL STILL NOT STAND BEHIND AN OBVIOUS AND UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR

Oct 20, 2008

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, CLEAR WEATHER, AVERAGE TRAFFIC, AND DURING A LANE CHANGE THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL FEEL TO THE STEERING RESPONSE. I SLOWED AND MOVED TO THE LEFT, SHIMMIED THE CAR GENTLY SIDE-SIDE. MAYBE A TIRE LOSING PRESSURE, I THOUGHT. I TOOL THE FIRST EXIT, GOT OUT AND FOUND NO OBVIOUS PROBLEM. I STARTED OUT AGAIN BUT AS I TURNED BACK TO GO STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT ALIGN WITH ITS USUAL 'STRAIGHT' POSITION. I PARKED IT AND CALLED FOR A TOW. AGAIN NOTHING OBVIOUS UNTIL WE LOWERED THE CAR OFF THE FLATBED. THE LEFT REAR TIRE TURNED WITH THE FRONT EDGE IN TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE CAR AND THE OUTSIDE EDGE TURNED OUT. THE TIRE LIGHTLY RUBBED THE INSIDE VENDOR LINER. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE TIE ROD BOLT SHEARED IN HALF WITH THE NUT SIDE MISSING AND THE HEAD SIDE LAYING ON TOP OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM! NO DAMAGE TO THE TIE ROD ENDS INDICATES NO LOOSENING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. BY SHEER BLESSINGS, THE STUB OF THE BOLT HELD THE TIE ROD IN PLACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS! THAT RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF THE TIE ROD HAD TOTALLY FREED AS SPEED, ESPECIALLY DURING RUSH HOUR. THIS PART HAD NEVER BEEN SERVICED DURING MY OWNERSHIP OR ACCORDING TO SERVICE RECORDS HELD BY BMW. I ENTER THIS JUST IN CASE THIS PROBLEM TURNS OUT TO BE MORE WIDESPREAD THAN I BELIEVE IT TO BE. I AM LUCKY- FOR $150 AND TOWING, MY CAR IS GOOD. THIS FAILURE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FOUND PRIOR TO PARTS BREAKING. THE BOLT SHEARED FAIRLY CLEANLY. *NM

Mar 16, 2006

STEERING,SUSPENSION

1 complaint

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION. A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION AREA. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS AND SWAY BAR LINKS. A MONTH LATER A SIMILAR NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE CENTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, TIE ROD ENDS, AND IDLER ARM FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE MECHANIC SHOP WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THIS PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. *AK

Dec 01, 2005

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

DRIVER'S WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED/BROKE WITH WINDOW IN DOWN POSITION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT PARTICULAR REGULATOR HAS FAILED. LAST YEAR, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED - I WAS ABLE TO RAISE THAT WINDOW MANUALLY. IF THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE MOTOR WILL CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IS SELECTED ON THE SWITCH. BOTH FAILURES WERE ACCOMPANIED BY A SOUND SIMILAR TO BREAKING GLASS. I NOTED TODAY WHEN OPERATING THE LEFT REAR WINDOW (TO MINIMIZE THE BUFFETING AT SPEED BECAUSE OF THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW WHICH IS STUCK HALF-WAY DOWN), THE SAME TYPE OF NOISE WAS EVIDENT WHEN OPERATED. I HAVE PURPOSELY NOT OPERATED THE WINDOWS EXCESSIVELY BECAUSE I HAVE BELIEVED THE WINDOW REGULATOR TO BE A WEAK POINT ON THE SEVEN SERIES BMW'S. A FELLOW CO-WORKER WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL REPLACED BOTH REAR REGULATORS ON ONE VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CONDITION COULD POTENTIALLY BE SERIOUS AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, AND NOT DISMISSED AS ROUTINE WEAR & TEAR OR MAINTENANCE. *NM

Jan 21, 2005

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72 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2001 BMW 740i have?

The 2001 BMW 740i currently has 15 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2001 BMW 740i?

The most common problems reported for the 2001 BMW 740i are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2001 BMW 740i problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2001 BMW 740i comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.