Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1997 BMW 740iL. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗BMW/FRONT SPRINGS
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (19)
19 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 19 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6 | 31.6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 26.3% |
| Steering | 4 | 21.1% |
| Air bags | 2 | 10.5% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 10.5% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 10.5% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 5.3% |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 5.3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 5.3% |
| Power train | 1 | 5.3% |
How 1997 compares with other 740iL years
Best and worst 740iL years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 9 | 1 |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 |
| 1995 | 12 | 3 |
| 1996 | 11 | 1 |
| 1997 | 19 | 1 |
| 1998 | 26 | 0 |
| 1999 | 6 | 0 |
| 2000 | 20 | 1 |
| 2001 | 26 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Large Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1997 740iL for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1997 BMW 740iL FAQ
How many recalls does the 1997 BMW 740iL have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 97V140000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1997 BMW 740iL problems?
Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (6), Engine and engine cooling (5), Steering (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1997 BMW 740iL get?
EPA rates the 4.4 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 15 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg.
How does the 1997 740iL compare with other years?
Among the 1993–2001 BMW 740iL model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2001 the most (26). The 1997 drew 19. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.