1994 BMW 740I problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 1994 BMW 740I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1994 BMW 740I. 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.

Q: What gas mileage does the 1994 BMW 740I get?

The 1994 BMW 740I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway).

1994 BMW 740I at a glance

Safety recalls2

Owner complaints7

Combined17 mpg

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

1994 BMW 740I recalls 2

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #97V131000 · 19/08/1997

THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE …

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.

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.

1994 BMW 740I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 7 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.

Steering

Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Vehicle Speed Control

Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1994 BMW 740I MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg

City15 mpg

Highway21 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$4,850

EPA size classMidsize Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Passenger volume101 cu ft

Cargo volume13 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$12,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1994 BMW 740I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$24,250

Fuel only$24,250

Per mile$0.32

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

4,001 lb

Front track

60.2 in

Rear track

61.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1994 BMW 740I. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 3

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

SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.

Bulletin B122917 · Equipment · Dec 2017

CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *TW

Bulletin 72/07/96 · Equipment · Dec 1996

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 740I. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

1994 BMW 740I vehicles on record

1994 BMW 740IWBAGD81020DE41217

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61080DG37256

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61010DG32089

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61060DG32010

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF51070DG00399

1994 BMW 740I13120700047240189

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61050DG31012

1994 BMW 740IWBAGD41080DD58223

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61070DG37491

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF11060DF37045

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61080DG36057

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61020DG38502

1994 BMW 740IWBAGJ61090DH17812

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61000DG33721

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF51010DG00687

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61040DG38338

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61060DG37207

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF510X0DG01417

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61050DG34427

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF11000DF35825

1994 BMW 740IWBAGJ61030DH17868

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61000DG33749

1994 BMW 740IWBAGF61040DG32183

Other BMW 740I model years

1994 BMW 740I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1994 BMW 740I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1994 BMW 740I. 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 1994 BMW 740I?

Across all 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, steering, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 1994 BMW 740I get?

The 1994 BMW 740I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 17 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.