1999 BMW 740il recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The 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 1-877-634-0063.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1999 740IL.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10E021000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-634-0063.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: 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 1-877-634-0063.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET FCP GROTON STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS BEARING P/N 32 21 1 096 057 SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON ANY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY BMW. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (3), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
09/16/2009 · Transmission / drivetrain
PREMATURE WEAR OF THE RING GEAR LEAD TO MY REVERSE NOT WORKING IN MY TRANSMISSION. I HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
07/25/2007 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
THE DOUBLE GLAZING GLASS ON MY 1999 BMW 740IL STARTED DELAMINATING AND HAS STEADILY GOTTEN WORSE, I KNOW OF MANY BMW OWNERS WHO COMPLAIN OF THIS DEFECT AND BMWNA IS ACTING LIKE THERE IS NOT ANY PROBLEM. I WENT INTO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER AND THEY SAY EVERY CAR THAT THEY SEE WITH DOUBLE GLAZING IS DELAMINATING! I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT CAN IMPAIR A…
08/04/2005 · Brakes
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON DURING A HARD STOP. THE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AT WILL NOW. ABS CONTROLLER HAS FAILED ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. NO ABS BRAKE CONTROL OR TRACTION CONTROL. DEALERSHIP COMPUTER FIRST SAID IT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SENSOR. REPLACED THAT AND THE SAME LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEN THEY SAY IT IS THE ABS…
05/11/2004 · Electrical system
BATTERY EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
06/29/2003 · Engine
FAN CLUTCH BEARING SEIZED WHILE DRIVING HIGH RPM; FAN BLADE BROKE, BROKE DRIVE BELTS, HOSES, WATER PUMP, SHROUD, RADIATOR, AND DAMAGED HOOD. *NLM
09/04/2001 · Electrical system
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO RECALL. THE DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *YH
09/04/2001 · Electrical system
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO RECALL. THE DEALER STATES THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *YH