1993 BMW 740i recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE…
What could happen: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 740I.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V131000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: 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. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF OCTOBER 1997. 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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
What could happen: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1993 740I.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V111000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; SWITCH; BRAKE LIGHT. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AUGUST 5, 1996. NOTE: 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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1993 BMW 740i owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (9), Seats (4), Unknown Or Other (3), Fuel system (2), Gasoline (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/01/2010 · Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 740I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE GAS TANK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. A DAY LATER, THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT A PATCH ON THE GAS TANK SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN TO…
05/13/2008 · Brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 740I. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT A CRASH FROM OCCURRING. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILAGES WERE 120,000.
03/29/2005 · Engine
THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED ON MY 1994 BMW 740I. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MODEL YEAR HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM RELATED TO THE SULPHUR CONTENT IN AMERICA GASOLINE. PLEASE INFORM ME OR ANY RECALL OR RECOURSE I MAY BE ABLE TO TAKE REGARDING THIS MATTER. DEMETRIUS BRANDON (505) 265-1130
06/28/2004 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT WIRES, AND OTHER PARTS TO THE V…
05/21/2003 · Seats
DRIVER'S SEAT ON MY 1993 BMW 740I RECLINED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. SEAT BACK WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND WILL NOT MOVE. THIS MADE ME LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF CAR, LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITH OUT CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JB
03/23/2003 · Engine
VEHICLE IS A 1993 BMW 740 WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO AN ENGINE RECALL IN SEPTEMBER OF 1996 AT 67,000 MILES. IMMEDIATELY AND SINCE THAT TIME, THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED DOCUMENTED OIL LEAKS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 10/1996, 12/1996, 5/1999, 6/1999, 3/2000, 6/2001, 10/2001, 1/2002, 5/2002, 7/2002, 2/2003. THERE ARE OTHER INCIDENTS OF OIL LEAKS NOT DOCUMENTED. FAIRF…
02/20/2003 · Airbags
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO FAULTY MODULE.*JB
02/20/2003 · Airbags
THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT A SIGNIFICANT COST. I ASKED THEM IF THE MANUFACTURER COVERED THIS SINCE AN AIRBAG MODULE WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAD MOVING PARTS NOR WAS IT A PART THAT AN OWNER HAS ACCESS TO. TH…