Most common 2001 BMW 740il problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 740il complaints by model year
Best 740il years: 1999, 1996, 1995. Years to avoid: 2000, 2001. Compare all years →
2001 BMW 740il recalls (1)
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 740il owners say
Air bags
I would like to report that the airbag control modules in the BMW 7 series from model year 1995 to 2001 have airbag control modules that are failing at a very high rate, leaving owners without airbags and the airbag warning light on. The new module from BMW is $1400. This is happening more frequently to cars in cold climates.
Common defect: air bag warning light is on. Suspected passenger seat sensor failure. I've had 2 BMW's from this series - both with the same issue - yet no recall from BMW - why? Isn't this a safety system? I see airbag recalls on cars dating back to this era. Why none for BMW? Also - odometer ribbon cable failure causing pixels to fail. No recall - problem exists across the series from 1996-2001 and beyond. No fix - no recall - no repairs offered. Why?
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 740il. The contact stated the pixels in the dashboard display were progressively fading, making it very difficult to read the center of the dashboard. Only the center of the dashboard display was difficult to read and the failure would occur whether he was driving or not. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer stated the failure was common however, they would not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not serviced. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was 105,000.
Common defect: air bag warning light is on. Suspected passenger seat sensor failure. I've had 2 BMW's from this series - both with the same issue - yet no recall from BMW - why? Isn't this a safety system? I see airbag recalls on cars dating back to this era. Why none for BMW? Also - odometer ribbon cable failure causing pixels to fail. No recall - problem exists across the series from 1996-2001 and beyond. No fix - no recall - no repairs offered. Why?
Engine & cooling
In March 2007 low coolant warning caused me open hood and add coolant three times before I took car to BMW dealer ,who diagnosed cracked plastic reservoir in radiator and separate coolant tank. Each time engine had overheated due to a lot of pressure under radiator coolant cap. Needed much time waiting before opening to add coolant. This was defective materials and not normal wear and tear breakdown. Every preventive maintenance has been done by book on this BMW. Manufacturer disclaimed responsibility as car out of warranty by few months. Car had 54,000 miles. Plastic was found hardened by heat and brittleness cracked the same. 339 other BMW 740il owners have filed petition on internet for same cracked plastic radiators (on BMW 740i ,and il models between years 1995 through 2001. BMW ignored our pleas for free replacement. Major safety issue not expected on premium car like this.
In April 2008 low coolant warning caused me open hood and add coolant. The coolant level was perfect but I still added more. The light for low coolant was still appearing every time I drove the car. Every preventive maintenance has been done by book on this BMW. The car has been to the dealer twice after this low coolant light but not for the coolant related service. They could have checked this and advised me of potential problem. Car has 65,000 miles. Plastic was found hardened by heat and brittleness cracked the same. 385 other BMW 740il owners have filed petition on internet for same cracked plastic radiators (on BMW 740i ,and il models between years 1995 through 2001. BMW ignored our pleas for free replacement. Major safety issue not expected on premium car like this.
2001 BMW 740il engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 BMW 740il a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 740il rates use caution: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the 740il at the same age. It is one of the 740il years we suggest avoiding. 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 740il?
The air bags — 5 complaints, 19% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the electrical system (5) and engine & cooling (4).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 740il have?
There is 1 recall for the 2001 BMW 740il, the most recent from January 4, 2001 (sidewall). 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 740il?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1999, 1996 and 1995. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000 and 2001. See the full BMW 740il years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 BMW 740il problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 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.