1991 Bmw 735: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Visibility:Windshield: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1998: 1; 1999: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 514996 · 1997-02-20 (February 20, 1997)
CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 514996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 821467 · 1998-03-31 (March 31, 1998)
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MOVES BACKWARDS AND SEAT BACK RECLINES BACKWARDS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 821467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 840977 · 1999-06-23 (June 23, 1999)
CONSUMER'S FINGER GOT CAUGHT IN WINDOW WHILE THROWING OUT A TOOTH PICK. WINDOW STARTED ROLLING UP WITHOUT HAND ON THE SWITCH, CAUSING INJURY TO HER INDEX FINGER. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION WHEN IT RAINED. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDTIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 840977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975407 · 1995-11-27 (November 27, 1995)
IN COLD WEATHER TURN ON THE HEATER AND THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED PASSENGER SIDE TO THE DRIVER SIDE . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980166 · 1996-03-05 (March 5, 1996)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS, PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HWY, ALSO DRIVER EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980166 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
92V101000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1992-07-10 (July 10, 1992)
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A THROTTLE HOUSING ON WHICH THE THROTTLE VALVE SHAFT RETAINING NUT WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.
Consequence: IF THE NUT WERE TO LOOSEN, MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE VALVECOULD BE IMPAIRED, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BEING UNABLE TO DECELERATE WHEN THEGAS PEDAL IS RELEASED.
Remedy: THOSE THROTTLE HOUSINGS WITH SUSPECT MANUFACTURING CODES WILL HAVE THE THROTTLE VALVE SHIFT RETAINING NUT TORQUE TESTED, AND THOSE WITH INSUFFICIENT NUT TORQUE WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗94V066000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1994-04-11 (April 11, 1994)
FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
Consequence: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1997 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 826031CONSUMER'S WIFE ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE WHEN IT ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, INJURING CONSUMER'S WIFE. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT SEEMED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. *AK VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *SLC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 972730VEHICLE PARKED; TURNED ON IGNITION; SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE; ENGINE ACCELERATED; VEHICLE LURCHED BACKWARDS FULL SPEED; WENT INTO WOODED AREA ACROSS STREET. | 120.0%ODI 514996CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATION. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 823723WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 550177DEFECTIVE COOLING SYSTEM CAUSED RADIATOR TO MELT AND WATER PUMP TO FAIL. YH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 840386WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IS ALWAYS OVERHEATING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL VEHICLE COOL OFF. DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IT OVERHEATS. *AK | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 802525CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WENT TO CHECK THE OIL IN THE ENGINE AND THE RADIATOR HOSE EXPLODED AND GAVE HIM 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 840391VEHICLE OVERHEATS DUE TO A CRACK WITHIN THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. ALSO, HEATER CORE LEAKED, AND CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR TWICE DUE TO A LEAKAGE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK |
| Seats | 150.0%ODI 11045359 · 91,642 miI WAS DRIVING MY BMW 735I 1985 CAR IN THE CITY AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY SEAT TOTALLY WENT ALL THE WAY BACK I WAS ON MY BACK LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT ANYBODY LATER ON I LOOKED AT MY SEAT I SAW THE POCKET THE LEATHER POCKET ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT I GOT INTO IT I FOUND A BRACKET A BAR SUPPORT BAR THAT HOLDS THE SEAT TOGETHER TOTALLY SNAPPED IN HALF I HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE SEAT AND REPLACE IT I'VE HAD NO LUCK AT ALL AND GETTING ANYTHING THAT WILL WORK THE SEATS ARE CONSIDERED BUFFALO SEATS THAT'S THE STYLE IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE I HAVE THINGS… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 884683WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT TILTED TO RIGHT AND FELL BACKWARDS PART OF THE WAY. NOW STUCK IN THAT POSITION.*AK DEALER STATED THAT THE CABLE CAME OFF OF THE TRACK. *SLC | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility:Windshield | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 840977CONSUMER'S FINGER GOT CAUGHT IN WINDOW WHILE THROWING OUT A TOOTH PICK. WINDOW STARTED ROLLING UP WITHOUT HAND ON THE SWITCH, CAUSING INJURY TO HER INDEX FINGER. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION WHEN IT RAINED. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDTIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 10487355 · 202,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BMW 735 I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,300. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW 735I 1988 ## | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 840391VEHICLE OVERHEATS DUE TO A CRACK WITHIN THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. ALSO, HEATER CORE LEAKED, AND CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR TWICE DUE TO A LEAKAGE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1997: 1 complaints · 1998: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1998 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Visibility:Windshield | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility:Windshield | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | — | 0 | 1ODI 980166AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS, PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HWY, ALSO DRIVER EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING . *AK | 0 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 0 | 1ODI 980166AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS, PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HWY, ALSO DRIVER EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING . *AK | 0 | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.