2001 Bmw 740I: complaints, problems and recalls

WE WERE TRAVELING I-75 SOUTH NEAR GAINESVILLE, FL., AND THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN. WE WERE IN THE FAST LANE AND HAD TO STRUGGLE TO STEER IT TO GET IT OFF THE HWY. LIGHT CAME ON SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTENING AT 11,000 MILES AND IT SHUT DOWN WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT AT ABOUT 50 MPH. INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSE TO TOTAL VEHICLE OUT AND FIXED IT FOR $41,000. SAME SCENARIO. VEHICLE NOT SAFE AND BMW WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE LOSS. BREAKDOWN ON MAY 11, AS A RESULT OF LIGHTENING STRIKE.…

Look up ODI 10592483 at NHTSA ↗

2016 BMW 740I IS EQUIPMENT WITH AUTOMATIC PARK DISTANCE CONTROL SYSTEM (PDC) THAT AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS CLOSE TO AN OBSTACLE WHEN DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED. THE SYSTEM IS VERY FLAKY IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, SOMETIMES IT ACTIVATES WHEN IT IS 2 FT AWAY FROM OBJECT AND MANY TIMES IT ACTIVATES WHEN IT IS ONLY 2 INCHES AWAY. IN SOME INSTANCE IT FAILS TO ACTIVATE COMPLETELY SO MANUAL INTERVENTION IS REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE SENSORS. DEALER TRIED REPAIRING TWICE INCLUDING NEW SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD AND CALIBRATION OF SENSORS BUT THE PR…

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Instrument panel went blank. No visual indication of how fast I was traveling. Also frontal collision stop working.

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Dashboard display randomly flickers and blinks while driving Seatbelt notification chime rings even when the passenger seat is empty.

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I pulled my 2019 BMW 740i out of a residential garage and stopped the vehicle. I opened the driver's door and exited the vehicle to enter the code on the exterior garage keypad to close the garage door. After entering the code, I turned around to return to the vehicle and observed that the BMW had begun moving unexpectedly. The vehicle continued moving and ultimately crashed into a tree, causing substantial front-end damage. I did not intend or expect the vehicle to move after I exited it. I expected the vehicle's systems to secure the vehicle …

Look up ODI 11755580 at NHTSA ↗

The contact own a 2020 BMW 740I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V644000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

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On [XXX] approx [XXX] PM, my 2023 BMW 740i (VIN [XXX], 46,093 mi, software 03/2026.30) suddenly accelerated on its own with no accelerator input from me. I was driving under 30 mph in Odessa, TX, shortly after making a left turn from [XXX] onto [XXX]. Once I felt the acceleration, I gradually braked while checking the HUD, which confirmed cruise control was NOT engaged. I also confirmed the accelerator pedal was not obstructed - the vehicle has only factory BMW all-weather floor mats, no aftermarket mats or parts. The vehicle came under control…

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I PULLED IN TO MY HOME TO DISCOVER THAT MY BMW WAS LEAKING OIL AFTER TAKING IT TO A BMW SERVICE CENTER THEY DIAGNOSED AND INDEED I HAD AN OIL LEAK FROM THE GASKET HOUSING SEAL CAR WAS STILL OPERATING FINE UNTIL I TURN THE CAR ON ONE MORNING AND IT JUST KEEP STALLING BEING STUCK AND CONSTANT IDLE THE OIL IS SMUDGE ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND I CAN'T DRIVE WITHOUT VAPORS AND FUMES BEING PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE

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DUE TO RAIN IN SAN DIEGO, THE BMW 740I INTAKE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT BUMPER INJESTED WATER IN A NORMAL DRIVING SITUATION AND THE MOTOR EXPLODED.

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I GOT ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON MY BMW; ON EACH OCCASION THE CAR WAS SENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR TO FIND THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR BLINDS ARE AT FAULT AND THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE 2016 BMW 740I IS EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT GRILLE WHERE THE VENTS ARE COVERED BY BLINDS THAT OPEN WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND CLOSED WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF ALLOWED SOME TIME FOR WARM AIR TO COME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

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ACTIVE AIR FLAPS MALFUNCTIONING, SEVISE BULLETIN FOR OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE

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Apparently BMW models like mine have been having the coolant expansion tanks leaking between 60 and 70 thousand miles. This causes the coolant levels to drop and causes engine failures.

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Vehicle Symptom: The vehicle exhibits a persistent rough idle and engine hesitation specifically when at operating temperature. This issue is most prevalent during "Auto Start/Stop" transitions and while idling in heavy traffic. The engine feels as though it may stall, creating a significant safety concern regarding predictable acceleration and vehicle control in live traffic. Safety Risk: The instability of the engine performance creates an unpredictable driving experience. There is a high risk of the vehicle stalling or failing to accelerate …

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The car had been running properly for months/years without any complaints. Last week while driving on a surface street, after a turn, the car that was going at about 40 MPH, suddenly started accelerating by itself to may be 70 or 80 MPH, this confused and shocked the driver and to avoid hitting the cars in front, the driver crashed the car into a tree. The car was totaled, fortunately the driver did not have any serious injuries. Talked to a private mechanic if there is a way to find out what happened. He said that based on the amount of damage…

Look up ODI 11483134 at NHTSA ↗

ACTIVE PDC FAILS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS RELEASED IN MARCH 2017 BY BMW AND NEW SOFTWARE WAS DOWNLOADED. DESPITE THE NEW SOFTWARE DOWNLOADED TO VEHICLE THERE CONTINUES TO BE INCIDENTS POST THAT WHEN THE ACTIVE PDC FAILS TO ACTIVATE. BMW CONTINUES TO CLAIM THE FEATURE WORKS AS DESIGNED BUT THERE IS NEVER ANY EXPLANATION BY THE DEALER WHY IT IS BY DESIGN. FOREMAN AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE HE WITNESSED MULTIPLE FAILURES OF IT ARGUED THAT I CAN SEE THE CAR IS GOING TO HIT ANOTHER CAR OR AN OBJECT SO WHY IS IT NECESS…

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MY BACKUP CAMERA DOESN'T WORK (ENGAGE) WHEN THE CAR IS IN REVERSE. ANYTIME THE CAR IS PLACED IN REVERSE THE BACKUP CAMERA SHOULD COME ON. I HAVE OTHER CAMERAS THAT I CAN'T ACCESS, BUT THE BACKUP CAMERA IS SAFETY RELATED.

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THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH. MOST OF THE GLASS EXITED THE VEHICLE ABOVE BUT MANY SHARDS OF SHARP GLASS SPRAYED ALL FOUR PASSENGERS. ALL FOUR PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR CUTS. NO ROCK OR OTHER FOREIGN OBJECT WAS OBSERVED IMPACTING THE VEHICLE. THE GLASS EXPLODED OUT NOT IN. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 7 DEGREES F. THIS OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY 99 BETWEEN WHISTLER BC AND SQUAMASH BC ON FEBRUARY 3, 2019.

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My car is about 1.5 yers old, bmw 740i. I have been towed back to the dealer twice now for the same issue.i live in Illinois and work in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, so I drive on the expressway a lot. I received the following message on my display while driving at 75-80 mph. The message is “ inability to drive.” I have received this 3 times. When it occurs the steering is more difficult and, I am told starts to shut down major systems, so needlessly to say quite unnerving and I had difficulty getting onto the shoulder. The first occurrence was…

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I pulled my 2019 BMW 740i out of a residential garage and stopped the vehicle. I opened the driver's door and exited the vehicle to enter the code on the exterior garage keypad to close the garage door. After entering the code, I turned around to return to the vehicle and observed that the BMW had begun moving unexpectedly. The vehicle continued moving and ultimately crashed into a tree, causing substantial front-end damage. I did not intend or expect the vehicle to move after I exited it. I expected the vehicle's systems to secure the vehicle …

Look up ODI 11755580 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2023 BMW 740I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes). The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, he observed a series of unknown warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal remained on the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Th…

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Car seems to be having issues with its brake function, especially in traffic or when coming to a complete stop from a distance. Also I am in fear that the issue will emerge while I am driving and I will not use the car with my 10 month old daughter.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 740I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN THE RAIN, HE DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT ENTERED THE ENGINE, BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THEY ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE INSURA…

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The contact owns a 2023 BMW 740I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes). The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, he observed a series of unknown warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal remained on the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Th…

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The contact owns a 2024 BMW 740i. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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