Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 BMW 740IL

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 27 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V140000

Suspension: front: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
29,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-08-22
Owners notified
1997-10-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE'S RIDE HEIGHT COULD BE AFFECTED CAUSING NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY CAN BE AFFECTED REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering439,000 mi
Suspension439,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2134,043 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly271,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs272,000 mi
Air bags1—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1134,043 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1137,117 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift189,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline168,158 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly171,000 mi
Power train1137,117 mi
Service brakes1137,117 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic172,000 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Vehicle speed control1—

The 1996 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.