Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 740il, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 4 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 15% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 12% |
| Power train | 2 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 4% |
| Power train | 1 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
"TAKATA RECALL" MY CAR BRAKE LIGHTS JUST STARTED TO STAY ELIMINATED WHEN I AM DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO ADJUSTS ON ITS ON UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE IS WHEN THE VECHILE IS IN MOTION ON ANY HIGHWAY
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULES IN THE BMW 7 SERIES FROM MODEL YEAR 1995 TO 2001 HAVE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULES THAT ARE FAILING AT A VERY HIGH RATE, LEAVING OWNERS WITHOUT AIRBAGS AND THE AIRBAG WARN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
LCD PIXEL FAILURE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING INDICATORS UNABLE TO SEE SAFETY AND ENGINE WARNINGS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
START THE CAR POWER STEERING FROZE, I HAVE SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT FIX THE PROBLEM OR I HAVE TO REPEAT. SOMETIME WHILE DRIVING STEERING FREEZE. I HAD HOSES LEAK, REPLACED HOSES STILL HAVE MORE LEAKS. WHILE DRIVI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILS (COMPUTER), I CHECKED ONLINE SEEM A LOT CAR OWNERS HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHICH NOT EFFECTING NAVIGATION ONLY ALSO EFFECT THE AUDIO SYSTEM AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. MECHANIC ADVICE ME TO REPLACE TH
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THREE YEARS AGO I BOUGHT AN AFTERMARKET CENTER STEERING LINK FOR MY CAR....MADE IN CHINA. AFTER THREE YEARS, I DETECTED SIGNIFICANT PLAY IN THE CENTER LINK WHERE THERE SHOULD BE NONE. I ORDER A SECOND ONE AND REPLACED
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2001 BMW 740il. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
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 1-877-634-0
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 TIR
Risk: HANDLING AND CONTROL WOULD BE DRASTICALLY AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 51 | average |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 4 of them (15%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 59/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.