Model year guide

1990 BMW 735I

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 BMW 735I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 25 on record.

1990 BMW 735I — representative photo
Representative photo

1990 BMW 735I at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints4
Combined16 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1990 BMW 735I recalls 2

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System NHTSA Campaign #98V178000 · 04/08/1998

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.

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

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #96V111000 · 01/07/1996

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

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

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1990 BMW 735I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1990 BMW 735I MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,200
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume101 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1990 BMW 735I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,000
Fuel only$21,000
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
193.3 in
Width
72.8 in
Height
55.5 in
Wheelbase
111.4 in
Curb weight
3,836 lb
Front track
60.2 in
Rear track
60.6 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 BMW 735I. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 2

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

Bulletin B510819 · Electrical System, Visibility · Jan 2024

RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW

Bulletin MSG1016 · Exterior Lighting · Oct 1996

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 735I. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

1990 BMW 735I vehicles on record

1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41070DA41717 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41040DA43893 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41030DA48227 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB410901639712 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB410503145691 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB31000DB17188 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41070DA39479 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGC31070DB59242 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB510701645806 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB31060DB16420 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB310X02101881 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41060DA35567 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41000DA48170 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41000DA42644 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41030DA44498 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB410703159592 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41010DA45326 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB410X0DA46359 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41020DA37364 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB410403156441 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB31000DB13903 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB31000DB16526 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB31070DB16037 1990 BMW 735I 1990 BMW 735IWBAGB41010DA46752

Other BMW 735I model years

2023 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1992 1991 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1981

1990 BMW 735I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1990 BMW 735I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1990 BMW 735I. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1990 BMW 735I?

Across all 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, electrical system, exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 1990 BMW 735I get?

The 1990 BMW 735I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 16 mpg combined (14 city / 21 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.