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.
Electrical System. 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 →
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 reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
84,000 miles · Jul 22, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower TrainFireInjury
ON JULY 13TH 2003, MY 1989 750 IL WITH ONLY 84000 MILES SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON F I R E WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRE WAS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT NEAR THE GEAR BOX AND DASH BOARD AREA. MY WIFE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND WAS HELPED BY OTHER MOTORIST AND THE SPRINGER, NM FIRE DEPT AT MILE MARKER 411 ON I25. I C…
Read full complaint
ON JULY 13TH 2003, MY 1989 750 IL WITH ONLY 84000 MILES SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON F I R E WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRE WAS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT NEAR THE GEAR BOX AND DASH BOARD AREA. MY WIFE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND WAS HELPED BY OTHER MOTORIST AND THE SPRINGER, NM FIRE DEPT AT MILE MARKER 411 ON I25. I CONTACTED BMW ON 7/17 HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM YET. BMW DEALERS CHECKED ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS 2 MONS AGO AND BRAKE SYSTEM 3 WEEKS AGO CHARGING 155 + 75 FOR CHECKING SYSTEMS. NO DEFECTS FOUND PER DEALER RECORDS ! PLEASE CALL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET ATTENTION FROM DEALER AND TO AVOID FUTURE "BURN VICTIMS" PIYUSH PATEL 505-445-2791 I WILL TOW THE TOTALLED BMW TO MY HOUSE AND STORE IT FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION PLEASE HELP .......................*AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
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.
1989 BMW 750ILA Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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