KnownCarProblems2001 BMW 740il Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 740il, most often about the air bags (19% of complaints). It is the most complained-about 740il model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2001 BMW 740il problems
Air bags
5 complaints · 19%Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Common defect: air bag warning light is on. Suspected passenger seat sensor failure. I've had 2 BMW's from this series - both with the same issue - yet no recall from BMW - why? Isn't this a safety system? I see airbag recalls on cars dating back to this era. Why none for BMW? Also - odometer ribbon cable failure…
I would like to report that the airbag control modules in the BMW 7 series from model year 1995 to 2001 have airbag control modules that are failing at a very high rate, leaving owners without airbags and the airbag warning light on. The new module from BMW is $1400. This is happening more frequently to cars in cold…
Electrical
5 complaints · 19%Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 740il. The contact stated the pixels in the dashboard display were progressively fading, making it very difficult to read the center of the dashboard. Only the center of the dashboard display was difficult to read and the failure would occur whether he was driving or not. The vehicle was…
Common defect: air bag warning light is on. Suspected passenger seat sensor failure. I've had 2 BMW's from this series - both with the same issue - yet no recall from BMW - why? Isn't this a safety system? I see airbag recalls on cars dating back to this era. Why none for BMW? Also - odometer ribbon cable failure…
Engine
4 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
In march 2007 low coolant warning caused me open hood and add coolant three times before I took car to BMW dealer ,who diagnosed cracked plastic reservoir in radiator and separate coolant tank. Each time engine had overheated due to a lot of pressure under radiator coolant cap. Needed much time waiting before opening…
Tl contact owns a 2001 BMW 740il. The vehicle was tuned up on october 6, 2007 and november 28, 2007. The vehicle began smoking and the add engine coolant light illuminated. The contact stated that this was the quickest the add engine coolant light has ever illuminated following a tune up. The dealer stated that the…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 15%My gas tank is slowly imploding...apparently, BMW is quite aware of the condition as a bulletin was produced on 11-9-2003 based on a defect in engineering design or the hardware chosen. In the meantime, my car is a fuel timebomb - this is an obvious manufacturing defect.
Approximately a year ago I started smelling mild gasoline fumes emanating from the left side of the car. At the time I thought it might be caused by some spillage when refueling. Over time the odor has become stronger. Upon inspection by the BMW dealership it was ascertained that a crack existed on the left side of…
Transmission
3 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Tl contact owns a 2001 BMW 740il. The check engine warning light intermittently illuminated on the instrument control panel. He previously attempted to shift gears in reverse and was unsuccessful. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided due to the high mileage. No repairs were made. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 740 il. The contact stated that while driving in reverse at 6 MPH, he heard a clicking noise and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced or rebuilt. The manufacturer was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 BMW 740il recalls
Wheels and tires: sidewall
Risk: Handling and control would be drastically affected increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
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 loss of air from the tire could occur.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2001 BMW 740il
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 740il?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (5 complaints); electrical (5 complaints); engine (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 740il have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 4, 2001 (wheels and tires). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the BMW 740il?
- It is the most complained-about 740il model year since 2000, with 26 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other BMW 740il years
- 2001