Model year guide

1993 BMW 740IL

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1993 BMW 740IL is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1993 BMW 740IL at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints9
Combined16 mpg

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

1993 BMW 740IL recalls 1

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.

1993 BMW 740IL common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 9 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.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

1993 BMW 740IL MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$5,150
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd
Passenger volume105 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$13,750 more

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

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1993 BMW 740IL costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$25,750
Fuel only$25,750
Per mile$0.34

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.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 1

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

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

1993 BMW 740IL vehicles on record

1993 BMW 740ILWBAGD81050DE41132

Other BMW 740IL model years

2018 2016 2014 2013 2012 2009 2006 2005 2001 2000 1999 1998

1993 BMW 740IL — frequently asked questions

Does the 1993 BMW 740IL have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1993 BMW 740IL. 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 1993 BMW 740IL?

Across all 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, power train, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 1993 BMW 740IL get?

The 1993 BMW 740IL has a U.S. EPA estimate of 16 mpg combined (14 city / 20 highway).

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