Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2001 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/TIRES
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18-INCH TIRES. (18-INCH TIRES ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE M5 AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 7-SERIES MODELS). THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE SIDEWALL OF ONE OR MORE TIRES. THE DAMAGED AREA COULD WEAKEN TO THE POINT WHERE A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Consequence
- HANDLING AND CONTROL WOULD BE DRASTICALLY AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 10, 2001. 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.
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 (26)
26 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 5 | 19.2% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 19.2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 15.4% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 11.5% |
| Power train | 3 | 11.5% |
| Steering | 2 | 7.7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 7.7% |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 3.8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 3.8% |
| Seats | 1 | 3.8% |
How 2001 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 2001 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
2001 BMW 740iL FAQ
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 740iL have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 01V001000 (tire). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2001 BMW 740iL problems?
Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (5), Electrical system (5), Engine and engine cooling (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2001 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 2001 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 2001 drew 26. 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.