1997 BMW 740i Problems & Complaints

Average44% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 740i at the same age

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1997 BMW 740i with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the 740i at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (2 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

3complaints
2recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 1997 BMW 740i problems

  • Engine & cooling~55,000 miles
    267%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~79,000 miles
    133%

Share of the 3 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

BMW 740i complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’16’17’18’20’21’23’24’25913881215127511123
Owner complaints per model year, BMW 740i. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best 740i years: 2020, 2021. Years to avoid: 2016. Compare all years →

1997 BMW 740i recalls (2)

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs

NHTSA recall 97V-140 · Aug 22, 1997 · 29,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Road grit and gravel associated with winter road conditions can penetrate the rubber of the lower front spring mounts and accumulate in the mounts causing notches or pits to develop. These notches can develop cracks resulting in breakage of a bottom coil of the spring.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both front springs and lower spring mounts.

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA recall 97V-131 · Aug 19, 1997 · 410,000 vehicles

The cruise control and throttle cables are attached to the same throttle valve actuating lever at the throttle housing. It is possible that the plastic bushing on either cable could break due to environmental influences coupled with vibration. If the bushing breaks, the outer cable housing can separate from the bushing.

Remedy: Dealers will install a spring steel clip on the outer tube of each cable in the area of the adjusting screw and plastic bushing. The clip is designed to prevent the outer tube from dislodging from the bushing.

1997 BMW 740i engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
4.4L 8-cyl5-speed automaticRWD15 / 22 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: Large car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1997 BMW 740i a good car?

Based on 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 740i rates average: 44% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 740i at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 BMW 740i?

The engine & cooling — 2 complaints, 67% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system › radiator assembly. Next is the fuel & propulsion system (1).

How many recalls does the 1997 BMW 740i have?

There are 2 recalls for the 1997 BMW 740i, the most recent from August 22, 1997 (coil springs). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the BMW 740i?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016. See the full BMW 740i years comparison.

At what mileage do 1997 BMW 740i problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.