Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | typical | 3 | — | Few |
| 2024 | 3 | 2.5× | 6 | Traction Control | Few |
| 2023 | 12 | 5.5× | 9 | Brake | Average |
| 2021 | 1 | −40% | 2 | Collision Avoidance | Few |
| 2020 | 1 | −40% | 2 | Electrical | Few |
| 2018 | 5 | typical | — | Engine | Average |
| 2017 | 7 | typical | — | Engine | Average |
| 2016 | 12 | 1.6× | — | Electrical | Caution |
| 2001 | 15 | 1.2× | 3 | Engine | Average |
| 2000 | 12 | typical | 1 | Transmission | Average |
| 1999 | 8 | −22% | — | Airbag | Average |
| 1998 | 8 | typical | — | Engine | Average |
| 1997 | 3 | −44% | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 1996 | 1 | −67% | 2 | Suspension | Average |
| 1995 | 9 | typical | 4 | Fuel System | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median 740i year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common BMW 740i problems
Latest BMW 740i recalls
Electronic stability control (ESC)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles.
Remedy: The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, X5, X6, X7, XM, 530i, i5, 740i, 760i, i7, and 750e vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the integrated brake module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 22, 2024.
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2024-2025 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive, 2024-2025 i5 eDrive40, i5 M60 xDrive, 2025 i5 xDrive40, 2024 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, 750e xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, and i7 M70 xDrive vehicles. The steering spindle may break requiring a greater steering effort to control the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering spindle's double universal joint, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 22, 2024. Owners may contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electronic stability control (ESC) › Control module
BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM) › Software
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the BMW 740i should you avoid?
2016 — this year has the most complaints relative to other 740i years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2016.
What is the best year for the BMW 740i?
2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other 740i years at the same age, followed by 2021. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common BMW 740i problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (22), electrical system (20) and brakes (12). Engine complaints peak in the 2001 model year.
How many recalls has the BMW 740i had?
20 recalls across 1995–2025. The model year with the most is 2023. See all BMW 740i recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.