1998 BMW 750il recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-634-0063.
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 1998 750IL.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10E021000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-634-0063.
- 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: STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
Summary: FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-634-0063.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET FCP GROTON STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS BEARING P/N 32 21 1 096 057 SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON ANY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY BMW. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Visibility (wipers / glass) (3), Fuel system (2), Airbags (1), Equipment (1), Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
03/27/2015 · Airbags
I WAS EXITING OFF RAMP ON INTERSTATE.APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN,LEFT DRIVERS SIDE, IMPACT AIRBAG AND HEAD RESTRAINT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING.I DID NOT CONTACT ANYTHING ON ROAD OR AROUND CAR.I WAS BLOWN OUT OF MY SHOULDER STRAP ON SEAT BELT FROM LEFT SIDE,STRIKING MY HEAD AND LEFT ARM VIOLENTLY.I HAD MY LEFT ARM ON ARMREST AND IT RECEIVED MAJOR IMPAC…
06/01/2010 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS, FRONT AND REAR, ARE DEFECTIVE. THE DOUBLE PANES SEPARATE, CAUSING A WHITE FILM TO GRADUALLY APPEAR AND EVENTUALLY TAKE OVER THE WHOLE WINDOW, OBSTRUCTING VIEW. ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE DIRECTLY WITH BMW WERE FUTILE DUE TO "WARRANTY EXPIRATION". HOWEVER, A NEW WINDOW WAS INSTALLED DUE TO BREAKAGE DURING THE LAST WINTER STORM,…
11/04/2008 · Wheels / tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 750IL. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN PILOT ALL SEASON TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOW RATING FOR THE TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. BMW OFFERED AN OPTIONAL TIRE SIZE FOR A 16 INCH TIRE AND 18 INCH RIM. THE CATALOG STATES THAT A VR TIRE DID NOT CARRY A LOAD RATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE HAS FAILED TH…
04/13/2007 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
THE SAFETY GLASS ON THE SIDE WINDOWS WERE DELAMINATED MAKING IT HARD TO SEE OUT. BMW WON'T REPLACE, BUT RECOGNIZED IT AS A DEFECT.*AK
11/07/2006 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
THE "SECURITY" WINDOWS HAVE STARTED TO DELAMINATE AND HAVE CRACKED THE DRIVERS WINDOW. ALL FOUR DOOR WINDOWS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKE A BAD TINT JOB. VISION IS COMPROMISED TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. *JB
01/29/2004 · Fuel system
HAIRLINE CRACK IN FUEL TANK CAUSED FUEL LEAKAGE. REPORT FROM REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS IS COMMON DEFECT ON 1997 & 1998 BMW740 &750 SERIES CARS.*AK