1997 BMW 740IL Complaints

THERE'S A MAJOR FLAW DESIGN IN THE BMW 740I AND 740IL FGROM YEARS 1995-200. I WAS JUST DRIVING AND IT FAILED WITHOUT HESITATION. I SPOKE WITH A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL AND THEY HAD THE SAME PEOBLEM. TO SOME PEOPLE IT HAPPEND AS THEY WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SPILLING COOLANT ALL OVER THEIR WINDSHIELD AND LOSING CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE USING THE FACTORY JACK TO CHANGE A TIRE, THE JACK BECAME UNSTABLE DUE TO THE SMALL BASE THAT IS PROVIDED AND THE CAR FELL OFF OF THE JACK. THE JACK WAS BEING OPERATED ON AN ASPHALT SURFACE. THIS WAS A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE EASILY TRAPPED ME UNDER MY CAR. THE CAR IS A 1997 740IL BMW.*AK

I HAVE HAD THREE SEPARATE FAILURES OF PLASTIC RADIATOR COMPONENTS IN MY 1997 BMW 740IL IN THE SPACE OF 5 MONTHS. AT FIRST INSPECTION, THESE APPEAR TO ME TO BE THERMAL FATIGUE FAILURES INDICATING SOME MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC. BMW DENIES ANY SUCH ISSUE AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FAILED COMPONENTS UNDER WARRANTY. THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS A MINOR LEAK THAT DEVELOPED FROM A SMALL PIPE THAT EXITS THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR. BEFORE I HAD THAT REPAIRED, THE NECK OF THE TOP INLET TO THE RADIATOR BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. A LITTLE OVER A MONTH LATER, I SAW STEAM EMERGING FROM THE RADIATOR AND NOTED A 1/4" SPLIT IN THE CENTER OF THE INTERGRAL FLUID RESERVOIR WHERE WATER WAS SPRAYING OUT. THIS COMPONENT HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED WHEN THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. AS THIS WAS NOT IN A TYPICAL STRESS AREA LIKE A CORNER, SEAM OR BOTTOM, I BELIEVE THIS WAS CAUSED BY FATIGUE. THE FACT THAT ALL OF THESE FAILURES OCCURRED ON PLASTIC COMPONENTS SO CLOSE TOGETHER IN THEIR LIFE IMPLIES A COMMON FAILURE MECHANISM TO ME. THE DEALER COMMENTED THAT "THEY SEE A LOT OF THESE KINDS OF FAILURES." AS THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT, THIS WOULD SEEM UNUSUAL UNLESS THERE WERE SOME UNDERLYING FLAW IN BMW'S DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING OF THE COOLING SYSTEM. *NLM

ENGINE RPM WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FROM 8OO TO 2500 RPM WITH NO WARNING. IDLE WILL VARY FROM 800 RPM TO 400 RPM AND THEN POSSIBLY SHOOT UP TO 12-2500 RPM. AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS DEALER UNABLE TO CORRECT. CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. DT

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH WATER PUMP FAILED, CAUSING STEAM TO COME UP FROM HOOD, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE RADIATOR HOSE BLEW OFF AND THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED WHEN THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT.*JB

THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A GAS LEAK. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED A YEAR LATER AND GAS LEAK CONTINUES.*AK

PASSENGER UNABLE TO UNLOCK POWER LOCKS MANUALLY, LEAVING PASSENGER TRAPPED IN VEHICLE W/WINDOWS UP IN 95 DEGREE HEAT. QCAW

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-50 MPH HIT A CONCRETE POST DIRECT CENTER OF VEHICLE. THEERE WAS DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. ALSO THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS WHICH DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN.