The most-reported 740iL run is WBAGH834X1D (2001 builds) with 7 complaints, 4.1× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 27% of reports; 1997 is the worst model year at 2.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for 740iL model years 1993–2001.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The BMW 740iL has 65 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 21% of every 740iL complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBAGH834X1D•••••• | 2001 | — | 1 | |
| WBAGJ8328WD•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| WBAGJ8322VD•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| WBAGJ8320VD•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| WBAGJ8325VD•••••• | 1997 | — | 1 | |
| WBAGJ8323WD•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| WBAGJ8324VD•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| WBAGH83491D•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| WBAGH834XYD•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| WBAGJ832XWD•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| WBAGJ8329TD•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| WBAGJ8326WD•••••• | 1998 | — | — |
Each of the other 53 740iL runs has 3 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the BMW 740iL the gap between build years is 2.4×: a 1997 car draws 2.4 complaints per run, a 1994 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 21 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2000 | 14 | 10 | — | |
| 1999 | 5 | 3 | — | |
| 1998 | 23 | 10 | — | |
| 1997 | 19 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1996 | 10 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1995 | 10 | 10 | — | |
| 1994 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 1993 | 7 | 6 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 1997 at 2.4 complaints per run; lightest is 1994 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 27% of everything BMW 740iL owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 29 of 112 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 1 | |
| Electrical System | — | 1 | |
| Fuel System | — | — | |
| Gasoline | — | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | — | |
| Steering | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on the BMW 740iL; the 6 below cover build years 1993 to 2001. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 10E021000 | Steering:linkages:drag:link:connection | 1995–2001 |
| 97V140000 | Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs | 1995–1997 |
| 96V111000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 1993–1994 |
| 01V001000 | Tires:sidewall | 2001 |
| 00V048000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 2000 |
| 95V192000 | Suspension:rear | 1995 |
How serious were they
Of the 112 reports on the BMW 740iL, 4.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | BMW 740iL | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 112 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 5 (4.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 4 (3.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The BMW 740iL share of that is 112 complaints over 65 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a BMW 740iL VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 112 NHTSA complaints from 65 740iL runs and 7 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which 740iL production run has the most complaints?
WBAGH834X1D, a 2001 build, with 7 complaints. The typical 740iL run has 1.7.
Which 740iL years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1997 is heaviest at 2.4 complaints per run and 1994 lightest at 1.
How many 740iL complaints involve a crash?
4.5% of 112 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 4 involved a fire.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.