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: 1 of 1 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.
Power Train. 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
85,987 miles · Dec 9, 2006
Power Train
JULY 2004 I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM A/C AND THE REAR OF CAR, I TOOK IT TO BMW DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR NOISE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. HOWEVER, I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE NOISE AUGUST 2005 I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, THIS TIME THEY NOTICED THE NOISE, AND STATED THAT T…
Read full complaint
JULY 2004 I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM A/C AND THE REAR OF CAR, I TOOK IT TO BMW DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR NOISE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. HOWEVER, I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE NOISE AUGUST 2005 I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, THIS TIME THEY NOTICED THE NOISE, AND STATED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,015.00. HOWEVER, AFTER CHECKING YOUR WEB-SITE,(NHTSA OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION) I SEE THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON JUNE 18, 1998 FOR THE VERY PROBLEM THAT I TOOK THIS CAR TO THE DEALER FOR. THE DEALER NEVER MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS TO BE A FREE REMEDY. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *JB
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SHAFT WITHIN THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY WAS PRODUCED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE SURFACE HARDENING. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE SHAFT EXPERIENCING PREMATURE WEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE A NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND, ULTIMATELY, FAILURE OF THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF DRIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY.
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 740IA Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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