NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 40 owner complaints for the 1998 BMW 7 Series. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (10) and electrical system (7). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2002 AT 96K MILES IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, SINCE BUYING VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD WATER PUMP FAILURE TWICE, REPLACED RADIATOR TWICE , HOSES & RINGS..TWO BATTERY'S FRONT BUMPER, CATALYTIC CONVERTOR L. BAY, CHANGED.. BRAKES & ROTORS CHANGED NOV. 11...... 3 WEEKS LATER AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK .. I GOT A TRANSMISSION FAILURE.. AND THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.. THE CAR GOES IN REVERSE BUT NOT FORWARD.. I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN THIS CAR 15 -16K MILES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ALL THESE CHRONIC REPAIRS.. I'M DISTRAUGHT THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS CAR CRASH..NOT SURE WHAT TO DO?.. BUT ACCRD.. TO MANY BMW OWNERS I FIND ON THE NET THERE IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM W/ TRANSMISSION FAILURE BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.. IT IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE FOR DRIVERS THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME INVESTIGATION IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE .. *TR”
“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”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 740IL. WHILE REFUELING HE NOTICED GAS WAS LEAKING FORM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ONCE HE STOPPED PUMPING GAS IT STOPPED LEAKING. THIS FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER HE WOULD REFUEL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. OVER TIME HE BEGAN TO HEAR A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SPLIT ON ONE OF THE SEEMS FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS REPAIRED. THE THUMPING FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE THUMPING FAILURE CONTINUES TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 740i Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| 740il Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| 750il Auto 5-spd, 12 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (10), electrical system (7), fuel system, gasoline (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 BMW 7 Series at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).