Model year guide

1991 BMW 735I

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 BMW 735I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 21 on record.

1991 BMW 735I — representative photo
Representative photo

1991 BMW 735I at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints3
Combined16 mpg

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

1991 BMW 735I recalls 3

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.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #96V110000 · 01/07/1996

THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.

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.

1991 BMW 735I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 3 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.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

1991 BMW 735I MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City15 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 1991 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

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 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.

1991 BMW 735I vehicles on record

1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB31090DB18467 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41090DA49494 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41050DA55020 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41000DA50839 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41030DA50723 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41090DA53626 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41020DA55461 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41000DA55023 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGC41020DB95779 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGC41070DB94840 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41020DA54357 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41050DA53803 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB410203147107 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41030DA52522 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB31050DB19728 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB31030DB15872 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41060DA47881 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB31080DB18640 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB31090DB18128 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB410X0DA45728 1991 BMW 735I 1991 BMW 735IWBAGB41030DA52083

Other BMW 735I model years

2023 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1992 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1981

1991 BMW 735I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 BMW 735I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 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 1991 BMW 735I?

Across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 1991 BMW 735I get?

The 1991 BMW 735I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 16 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway).

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