1994 BMW 840ci 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 1994 840CI.
- 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. Visibility (wipers / glass)
What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. THE REMOTE ACTIVATION DEVICE CAN CLOSE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF FROM A DISTANCE GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM (6 METERS) PERMITTED BY FMVSS NO.118, "POWER OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
What could happen: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS COULD ALLOW WINDOWS OR SUNROOFS TO BE CLOSED ON AN ARM OR NECK OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN THE REMOTE DEVICE OPERATOR IS NOT WITHIN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY.
The fix: REPLACE THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH HAS THE ACTIVATION RECEIVER WITH ONE WHOSE RECEIVER WILL CONTROL THE DOOR LOCKING AND THEFT ALARM, BUT WILL NOT PERMIT REMOTE OPERATION OF THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF.
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 1994 840CI.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 94V017000.
- 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: VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Summary: THE REMOTE ACTIVATION DEVICE CAN CLOSE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF FROM A DISTANCE GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM (6 METERS) PERMITTED BY FMVSS NO.118, "POWER OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS COULD ALLOW WINDOWS OR SUNROOFS TO BE CLOSED ON AN ARM OR NECK OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN THE REMOTE DEVICE OPERATOR IS NOT WITHIN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY.
Remedy: REPLACE THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH HAS THE ACTIVATION RECEIVER WITH ONE WHOSE RECEIVER WILL CONTROL THE DOOR LOCKING AND THEFT ALARM, BUT WILL NOT PERMIT REMOTE OPERATION OF THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF.
Notes: SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; ELECTRIC POWER ACCESSORIES; WINDOWS. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE ACTIVATION DEVICES FOR DOOR LOCKING AND THEFT ALARM ARMING. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT BMW SERVICE CENTER AT 1-201-573-2100. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Lights (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
04/22/2002 · Lights
HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS HAVE FALLEN OFF WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO AJUST HEADLIGHT. *AK *YH *YD