Most common 1998 BMW 740i problems
Share of the 8 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 740i complaints by model year
Best 740i years: 2020, 2021. Years to avoid: 2016. Compare all years →
What 1998 BMW 740i owners say
Engine & cooling
I bought this vehicle in 2002 at 96K miles it has been nothing but problems, since buying vehicle, I have had water pump failure twice, replaced radiator twice , hoses & rings..two battery's front bumper, catalytic convertor l. Bay, changed.. Brakes & rotors changed nov. 11...... 3 weeks later as I was driving home from work .. I got a transmission failure.. And the car stopped in the middle of the road.. The car goes in reverse but not forward.. I have only driven this car 15 -16K miles since owning the vehicle I have had all these chronic repairs.. I'm distraught that I could have been in a serious car crash..not sure what to do?.. But accrd.. To many BMW owners I find on the net there is a chronic problem w/ transmission failure BMW should be held accountable.. It is dangerous and unsafe for drivers there needs to be some investigation in regards to transmission failure ..
Engine failed entirely, while passing a vehicle. Driver able to retain enough control to bring car to halt safely on shoulder. Car towed to technicians. Upon inspection, a hole was found in a cylinder, causing complete engine faiure technicians indicate that electronic firing failed, causing a hole to be burned in the wall of cylinder! Engine a complete loss. Quite lucky no one was killed in this accident waiting to become a catastrophe!
1998 BMW 740i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 BMW 740i a good car?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 740i rates average: about as many complaints as 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 1998 BMW 740i?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (2) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 1998 BMW 740i have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 BMW 740i. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 1998 BMW 740i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 33% 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.