1998 BMW 740IL: problems, recalls and reliability

“On cruise control at 60 mph proceeding north on state route 3 in virginia when the auto started to accelerate. Tapped the brake no effect. Turned of the cruise control no effect. By this time I am doing 90 mph so I turned off the ignition. That had an effect. Coasted to the side of the road got out raised the hood could see nothing wrong. Got in the auto and started it up. Rpm went shooting up shut the auto off. Checked the linkage to the throttle could see no problems. Worked the linkage to see if there was binding no binding. Drove home with no further problem. Yet!!”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2010

“The doors will not unlock. All doors with the exception of the driver door will not unlock. If you pull on any of the doors door handle twice from the inside it should open. All of this happen when the alarm activated without any reason. Alarm stopped working and doors will not unlock. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Apr 2009

“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 bmw 740il. The contact stated that the vehicle would jerk violently when changing gears. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that there was a defective ring gear in the transmission. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 99v005000 (power train:automatic transmission). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2008

“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 bmw 740il. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle would not drive forward and would not shift into fourth gear when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The words "failsafe mode" illuminated on the instrument panel. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The dealer stated that a new transmission would be needed at the cost of $6,000. Both the manufacturer and the dealer stated that NHTSA campaign id number 99v005000 (power train:automatic transmission) did not apply to his VIN. The contact paid for the vehicle to be repaired on november 26, 2008. The current mileage was 91,695 and failure mileage was 91,690.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2008

“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 25 mph, a loud noise was heard coming from underneath the rear differential on the driver and passenger side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there were metal shavings in the oil level of the differential. The mechanic made the contact aware of recall # 98v142000 similar to this differential problem. The vehicle was taken a service dealer who determined there was no recall. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a local service dealer.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2006

“Low coolant message came on while driving. Within a few miles, radiator cap overpresured and steam burst out while on the highway. Pulled over and was towed to the dealer. Replaced coolant hoses. 4 months later, low coolant message came on again while traveling; stopped at a service station to check level; level was very low, and a slow leak was visible. Replaced coolant reservoir assembly. 6 mos later, check engine light came on. Dealer replaced sensor. One week later, the low coolant message came on again (3rd time). Coolant was low; took to dealer for repair. All work was at owner's expense (non-warranty).*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2005

“No warning other than a slight anit-freeze smell. Upon checking out the odor, upper radiator neck between hose clamp and radiator just broke off spewing scalding hot fluid everywhere. Luckily hood was not completely open at the time. Radiator needed to be replaced, not repairable. Old part tossed.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2005