Most common 2001 BMW 740i problems
Share of the 15 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 →
2001 BMW 740i recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began September 28, 2001. This is a supplement to a recall that began during September 2001 (see recall campaign 01V206).
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began September 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…
Tires › Sidewall
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 18-inch tires. (18-inch tires are standard equipment on the m5 and optional equipment on the 7-series models). The machine used to mount and inflate the tires on the wheels at the assembly plant May have damaged the sidewall of one or more tires.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tires and if damage from the mounting machine is found, the tire will be replaced. Owner notification began March 10, 2001.
What 2001 BMW 740i owners say
Engine & cooling
A Chevy pickup pulled into the one way road leading to a hotel and immediately went around an ellipse and hit me as I was exiting my hotel and got hit in the drivers front quarter panel while he was pulling around in the elliptical one way drive. The engine was checked and it needs $5500 worth of mechanical work in order for it "to be safe to drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 740i. While pulling into a fuel station, the vehicle began to overheat. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fan control unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 01V206000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Air bags
Vehicle had been stationary for several minutes and was parked with emergency break engaged. Key was not inserted. Driver side door open, all doors unlocked. No recent occupants other than the driver seat. Parked at home,in driveway, in gainesville, ga, us. I unloaded some groceries then came back to close driver door. As I approached the vehicle to close drver side door the passenger side airbage suddenly deployed for no apparent reason shattering the windshield. There had been no impact prior to this. It was a hot day.
My daughter with myself and my 4 year old,riding on the passenger side driving on mallard creek road, all of a sudden we hear this loud 'kaboom' noise this caused (for some reason) the driver side airbag on the door (the side airbag) to deploy. When it deployed, it tore and the door fell apart in the inside a strip of decorative metal on the interior. The strip was about 2-3 feet long and had between 3 and 5 1" bolts protruding from it. The metal strip hit the driver on the arm and caused an abrasion. We were greatly concerned about this for two reasons: (1) why did that particular bag deploy when there was no hard impact and (2) the metal strip that ripped off could have hit someone in the eye or in another place that would cause a serious injury. Even as it was, my daughter arm was totally bruised on her shoulder. …
Suspension
A Chevy pickup pulled into the one way road leading to a hotel and immediately went around an ellipse and hit me as I was exiting my hotel and got hit in the drivers front quarter panel while he was pulling around in the elliptical one way drive. The engine was checked and it needs $5500 worth of mechanical work in order for it "to be safe to drive.
Driving on the interstate, clear weather, average traffic, and during a lane change there was an unusual feel to the steering response. I slowed and moved to the left, shimmied the car gently side-side. Maybe a tire losing pressure, I thought. I tool the first exit, got out and found no obvious problem. I started out again but as I turned back to go straight, the steering wheel did not align with its usual 'straight' position. I parked it and called for a tow. Again nothing obvious until we lowered the car off the flatbed. The left rear tire turned with the front edge in towards the center of the car and the outside edge turned out. The tire lightly rubbed the inside vendor liner. The mechanic found the tie rod bolt sheared in half with the nut side missing and the head side laying on top of the lower control arm! …
2001 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 2001 BMW 740i a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 740i rates average: 1.2× 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 2001 BMW 740i?
The engine & cooling — 5 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (3) and suspension (3).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 740i have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2001 BMW 740i, the most recent from May 16, 2002 (fan). 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 2001 BMW 740i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 9% 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.