Carlexica

1992 BMW 735I: problems, recalls and reliability

3 recalls and 6 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling; the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 1998

3
recalls
6
owner complaints
1
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

1 fire report

Common problems

Computed from 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Limited data: only 6 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)3 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)1 complaint
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)1 complaint
Seats1 complaint
Car overheated, causing the top radiator hose to fail and also the thermostat to fail as a direct result of the recall. The dealer refuses to fix this problem. I feel this is there responibity to fix the failures. The $466.30 is there estimate.*akOwner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2002
I ended up to replace every component in the cooling sistem of a total cost aprox. $ 2500 and later on I found here on the net that the 735i's have a recall on their cooling sistem. After all the replacements in the engine cooling sistem , months after, I received a note from the bmw dealership about the radiator cap. To late. I allready lost more than 2500usd in repairs. My question is: can I get a refund from the bmw manufacturer for all the loses ? I have all the receipts from my mechanic.thank you. *akOwner report · Engine And Engine Cooling
While driving at state speed there was a noise coming from right hand side of vehicle and without warning front right door and rear right door opened.*akOwner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Show 1 more owner reports
While parked vehicle caught fire under the hood. This has happened twice, harness was replaced the first time. Dealer can't find a solution. *akOwner report · Electrical System

Recalls - 3 campaigns

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL96V110000 · Jul 1996

THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH96V111000 · Jul 1996

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM98V178000 · Aug 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 1992 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Cylinders6
FuelGasoline
Body stylesSedan/Saloon

How other years compare

Check your exact 735I by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1992 BMW 735I reliable?

NHTSA has 6 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 BMW 735I. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.

Does the 1992 BMW 735I have open recalls?

3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.