Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
9 reports
88,000 miles · Sep 2, 2005
Steering
DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE CONSUMER WENT INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED GOING INTO A COMPLETE CIRCLE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED…
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DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE CONSUMER WENT INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED GOING INTO A COMPLETE CIRCLE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY CHECKED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND DIDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THEY HOOKED THE VEHICLE TO DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND IT DIDN'T SHOW ANY CODES. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 25, 2005. ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THEY REPLACED A PRESSURE HOSE ON THE POWER STEERING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10135163
57,000 miles · Feb 7, 2003
Equipment
AFTER JACKING THE VEHICLE UP, THE JACK SUDDENLY COLASPED. CONSUMER FOOT WAS ALMOST INJURED AS A RESULT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA ODI #10006783
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 40MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ODI #8023915
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE DIES INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. DEALERINDICATED THA T COMPUTER SHOWED NO DEFECT, AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #846451
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 1999
Visibility
RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #607622
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
CUP HOLDER FAILED. YH
NHTSA ODI #606344
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 1999
Seats
DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT; WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S SEAT WON'T GO BACK TO ITS PROPER RETURN WHICH MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN DRIVING, AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833287
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 1998
Electrical System
CONSUMER HAD ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED HERSELF IN HER CAR; CONSUMER WAS GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE WHEN SHE DROPED HER KEY, SHE THOUGH SHE DROP IT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, UNAWARE THE REMOTE KEY FELL BETWEEN THE DOOR AND DOOR FRAME WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOOR; SOMEHOW THE REMOTE KEY ACTIVATED THE SECURITY MODE: SHUTING DOWN ALL POWER TO THE …
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CONSUMER HAD ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED HERSELF IN HER CAR; CONSUMER WAS GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE WHEN SHE DROPED HER KEY, SHE THOUGH SHE DROP IT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, UNAWARE THE REMOTE KEY FELL BETWEEN THE DOOR AND DOOR FRAME WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOOR; SOMEHOW THE REMOTE KEY ACTIVATED THE SECURITY MODE: SHUTING DOWN ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE, AND LEAVING THE CONSUMER LOCKED IN AND NO WAY TO GET OUT. CONSUMER WAS LOCK IN VEHICLE FOR MORE THEN TWO HOURS BEFORE HELP ARRIVED. TWO FACTORS HELPED THE CONSUMER; 1ST. SHE WAS NOT IN A REMOTE AREA AND THE 2ND. BECAUSE THE REMOTE KEY PREVENT THE DOOR FROM CLOSING ALL THE WAY; LEAVING A SMALL CRACK BETWEEN THE DOOR ALLOWING CONSUMER TO YELL FOR HELP. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED,BUT INFORMED THE CONSUMER SHE SHOULD HAVE CARRY A EXTRA KEY. THE MAIN CONCERN WOULD BE WHAT WOULD OR COULD HAPPEN IF THE CONSUMER WAS LOCATED IN A REMOTE AREA?
NHTSA ODI #824270
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 1998
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
CONSUMER WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR WHEN SHE DROPPED REMOTE CONTROL KEY. THINKING IT DROPPED WITHIN THE VEHICLE CLOSED THE DOOR, NOT KNOWING IT FELL BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR FRAME. CLOSED THE DOOR, THINKING THE KEY WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SOMEHOW THE REMOTE SECURITY SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, LOCKING AND SHUTTING DOWN THE WHOL…
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CONSUMER WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR WHEN SHE DROPPED REMOTE CONTROL KEY. THINKING IT DROPPED WITHIN THE VEHICLE CLOSED THE DOOR, NOT KNOWING IT FELL BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR FRAME. CLOSED THE DOOR, THINKING THE KEY WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SOMEHOW THE REMOTE SECURITY SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, LOCKING AND SHUTTING DOWN THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND LOCKING THE CONSUMER IN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT. BECAUSE THE REMOTE CONTROL WAS BETWEEN DOOR AND DOOR FRAME,IT ALLOWED A SMALL CRACK BETWEEN THE DOORS, ENABLING THE CONSUMER TO CALL FOR HELP. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #824169
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1998 BMW 740 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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