The 1998 BMW 740iL has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel tank collapse, denting, and fuel leaks.” BMW vehicles use Condition-Based Service (CBS) — the dashboard shows each service item with its own remaining mileage and time, calculated by sensors. The schedule below shows BMW's underlying targets. BMW Ultimate Care covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of factory-scheduled maintenance on most new vehicles.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1998 BMW 740iL.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
6 NHTSA complaints · 2008-02 → 2012-11
“FUEL TANK "TIN CANS" WHEN LOWER ON FUEL. FEAR DEGRADATION OF FUEL TANK”
“I HAVE A 98 BMW 740IL THAT SUCKS ITSELF AND IT HAS LEAD TO THE GAS TO DENT AND CRACK AND LEAK GAS”
“I LOOK UNDER THE CAR AND THE GAS TANK WAS SUNKED INWARD AND GAS WAS EVERYWHERE”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4 NHTSA complaints · 2002-04 → 2005-05
“UPON CHECKING OUT THE ODOR, UPPER RADIATOR NECK BETWEEN HOSE CLAMP AND RADIATOR JUST BROKE OFF SPEWING SCALDING HOT FLUID EVERYWHERE”
“RADIATOR BLEW AT 70MPH ON THE FREEWAY”
“LOW COOLANT MESSAGE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WITHIN A FEW MILES, RADIATOR CAP OVERPRESURED AND STEAM BURST OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY”
POWER TRAIN
3 NHTSA complaints · 2004-02 → 2011-12
“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”
“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED A LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH WARNING ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAIL SAFE PROGRAM”
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN CHANGING GEARS”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
4 NHTSA complaints · 2002-02 → 2015-04
“THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. ALL DOORS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK”
“THE ALARM SYSTEM RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS BLANKS CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS RUNNING”
“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LOCKED BY REMOTE KEY FROM OUTSIDE, ANYONE LEFT INSIDE THE VEHICLE CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2015-02
“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”
“THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL”
“TWO TIMES SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE REVEVED UP WHEN I WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace BMW Longlife-04 (LL-04) full-synthetic oil and filter every 10,000 miles or annually — whichever the CBS system signals first. M-series engines may require shorter intervals; check the vehicle-specific iDrive screen.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Replace DOT 4 LV brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage. CBS triggers based on time, not miles, due to moisture absorption.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Multi-point inspection covering brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, fluids, lighting, and underbody. CBS signals every 30,000 miles or 2 years.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.
Replace engine air filter every 40,000 miles. Higher-performance N55, B58, and S58 engines should be inspected at every oil service.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
B48 (2.0L turbo) and B58 (3.0L turbo) require new spark plugs every 60,000 miles. N20/N55 engines often spec 45,000 miles. M-series typically 30,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
BMW labels the ZF 8HP automatic as 'lifetime fill,' but independent transmission specialists strongly recommend replacement every 60,000 miles. Use BMW-spec ZF Lifeguard 8 — no substitutes.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
RWD and xDrive AWD: replace rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles, sooner with M-Sport or active differential. M-cars require BMW SAF-XO synthetic.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
BMW xDrive AWD: replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Skipping this causes the most common xDrive failure — actuator stuck in 100/0 split.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the activated-carbon microfilter every 30,000 miles. Most BMWs have a single combined cabin/charcoal filter behind the engine bay firewall.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
BMW labels coolant as lifetime fill on most modern vehicles. Independent BMW specialists recommend replacement every 4-5 years to prevent water-pump and thermostat housing degradation.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
38 crashes 1990–2024
How the 38 occupant deaths break down
24
driver deaths
14
passenger deaths
38
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1998 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
0
complaints mentioning a crash
0
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1998 BMW 740iL reflects BMW's published service intervals and the Condition-Based Service system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.