Model year

2016 BMW 740I

Sedan, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Jan 25, 2017 to Jun 28, 2024.

Recall campaigns covering this model year0No recall campaign lists this model year
Owner complaints12Close to the median 2016 sedan
Severity index0.02016 sedans average 7.1
First 24 months5Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2016 BMW 740I peaked in 2017, with 5 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

024620175201820192020202120222023202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

25% of complaints about the 2016 BMW 740I name electrical system

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Electrical system
3
Engine and cooling
2
Seat belts
2
Speed control
2
Driver assistance
1
Structure
1
Suspension
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

No recall campaign lists the 2016 BMW 740I

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2016 BMW 740I

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

12 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Jun 28, 2024Failure Apr 2, 2024Garfield Heights, OHElectrical system, Blind spot detection, Seat belts

    Blind spot warning randomly works. Passenger seatbelt phantom seatbelt warning while driving alone!

    NHTSA complaint 11597560
  2. Filed Nov 9, 2022Failure Nov 7, 202252,000 milesPurvis, MSSuspension

    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 740I. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front air suspension failed to perform as designed, causing the front end of the vehicle to remain lowered, making the front driver’s and passenger’s side tires touching the inner wheel well. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side air suspension was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were both notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 52,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11492944
  3. Filed Sep 8, 2022Failure Jun 9, 2022Cupertino, CAEngine

    Active Air Flap fault, Upper and Lower Actuator is not working and that is why engine is overheating. BMW has extended this warranty to 10 years/120K miles for 750 and 550 series manufactured up to Aug 2019. But they have not done that on 740 series. My vehicle has the same problem and should be covered under the same in order to avoid engine damage. Please advice the next step. The fault code are: P05A0, P05AE, P05A2, P059F.

    NHTSA complaint 11483478
  4. Filed Nov 8, 2020Failure Nov 5, 202075,100 milesLawrenceville, GABody

    NOT REALLY SURE IF THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY COMPLAINT, BUT IT COULD LEAD TO PROBLEMS IF NOT CORRECTED. THE UPPER RADIATOR SHUTTLE WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS CAN CAUSE RESTRICTED CLIMATE CONTROL IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR, REDUCTION OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND POSSIBLY ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MODEL YEARS 2016+. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE SHUTTER. THE LINK BELOW IS FOR ANOTHER MODEL OF BMW, BUT SHOWS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM: HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2019/MC-10160279-9999.PDF

    NHTSA complaint 11373643
  5. Filed Aug 3, 2020Failure Jul 30, 202029,000 milesTucson, AZUnknown or other

    ON JULY 30, I WAS DRIVING AT 35MPH ON A MAJOR ROAD IN PINETOP/LAKESIDE, ARIZONA WHEN THE SUNROOF, THAT WAS IN THE VENT POSITION, EXPLODED INWARD SHOWERING ME AND A PASSENGER IN SHATTERED GLASS. IT WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION. DUE TO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF CASSETTE, THE REPAIR IS ABOUT $7,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11343055
  6. Filed Sep 26, 2018Failure Dec 8, 201712,000 milesSAN Diego, CASeat belts

    ON TWO OCCASIONS A FALSE FASTEN SEAT BELT FROM PASSENGER SIDE HAS COME UP WHEN THE SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE CAR WAS SENT FOR REPAIR. ON THE FIRST OCCASION IT WAS INDICATED THE WIRING IS LOOSE FOR THE SEAT BELT HARNESS SO IT WAS TIGHTENED. ON THE SECOND OCCASION THE CAR WAS SENT TO DEALERSHIP IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HARNESS WIRING TRACK COULD COME LOOSE AND THEREFORE HAD TO BE REROUTED.

    NHTSA complaint 11131757
  7. Filed Sep 26, 2018Failure Sep 11, 201825,000 milesSAN Diego, CAEngine

    I GOT ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON MY BMW; ON EACH OCCASION THE CAR WAS SENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR TO FIND THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR BLINDS ARE AT FAULT AND THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE 2016 BMW 740I IS EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT GRILLE WHERE THE VENTS ARE COVERED BY BLINDS THAT OPEN WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND CLOSED WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF ALLOWED SOME TIME FOR WARM AIR TO COME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

    NHTSA complaint 11131756
  8. Filed Apr 15, 2017Failure Mar 23, 20172,696 milesSAN Diego, CAUnknown or other

    ACTIVE PDC FAILS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS RELEASED IN MARCH 2017 BY BMW AND NEW SOFTWARE WAS DOWNLOADED. DESPITE THE NEW SOFTWARE DOWNLOADED TO VEHICLE THERE CONTINUES TO BE INCIDENTS POST THAT WHEN THE ACTIVE PDC FAILS TO ACTIVATE. BMW CONTINUES TO CLAIM THE FEATURE WORKS AS DESIGNED BUT THERE IS NEVER ANY EXPLANATION BY THE DEALER WHY IT IS BY DESIGN. FOREMAN AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE HE WITNESSED MULTIPLE FAILURES OF IT ARGUED THAT I CAN SEE THE CAR IS GOING TO HIT ANOTHER CAR OR AN OBJECT SO WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE IT ACTIVATE? THIS ARGUMENT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE, BECAUSE THE FEATURE SHOULD WORK, AND IF YOU KNOW CAR IS GOING TO HIT ANOTHER CAR OR OBJECT THEN YOU SHOULD EXPECT FEATURE TO ACTIVATE OTHERWISE WHY IS THE FEATURE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT ACCEPT TO DOCUMENT THE FAILURES IN THE SERVICE ORDER OR THE ARGUMENTS FOREMAN MADE.

    NHTSA complaint 10978612
  9. Filed Mar 8, 2017Failure Feb 24, 20171,924 milesSAN Diego, CAElectrical system

    AUDIO CONTROL SYSTEM FREEZES ON THE BMW 740I. IT HAPPENS THAT AUDIO IS GONE COMPLETELY, SYSTEM DOES NOT RESPOND TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TO RAISE VOLUME: 1. GESTURE COMMANDS TO RAISE VOLUME (THE SYSTEM DOES NOT EVEN SHOW GESTURE IS INVOLVED ON THE DASH DISPLAY) 2. FROM THE POWER BUTTON BY MANUALLY ADJUSTING HIGHER, THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM SYSTEM AT ALL AND DASH SCREEN DOES NOT SHOW VOLUME INCREASE IS BEING ATTEMPTED. 3. FROM THE VOLUME UP BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AGAIN NO SIGN ON DASH SCREEN THAT VOLUME INCREASE IS BEING ATTEMPTED.

    NHTSA complaint 10959574
  10. Filed Feb 20, 2017Failure Feb 9, 20171,339 milesSAN Diego, CAVehicle speed control

    THE PROBLEM IS CENTERED AROUND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM OF BMW 740I 2016. BMW 740I CAN'T DETECT VEHICLES FROM THE RIGHT CORNER OR LEFT CORNER WHEN TWO LANES MERGE INTO ONE AND THE BMW IS APPROACHING THE OTHER VEHICLE WHERE THE OTHER VEHICLE IS EITHER AT FRONT RIGHT OR LEFT RIGHT. THERE ARE MULTIPLE SYMPTOMS OF THIS PROBLEM: FIRST SYMPTOM, BMW 740I IS NOT TRACKING ANY VEHICLE AND COCKPIT DOES NOT SHOW A TRACKED VEHICLE. A CAR OR BIG TRUCK IS IN THE SECOND LANE MERGING FROM EITHER CORNER, BMW 740I DOES NOT DETECT THOUGH THERE WAS ENOUGH TIME AND DISTANCE TO DETECT. IN ONE EXAMPLE THERE WAS 18 WHEELER MERGING LANE AND BMW NEVER DETECTED THE 18 WHEELER THOUGH MAJORITY OF THE 18 WHEELER WAS AHEAD OF THE BMW FROM THE RIGHT CORNER. SECOND SYMPTOM IS BMW 740I IS TRACKING ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHEN TWO LANES MERGE THERE IS A CAR FROM THE OTHER LANE COMING IN FRONT FROM THE RIGHT CORNER OR LEFT CORNER, BMW NEVER SLOWS DOWN FURTHER SINCE THAT VEHICLE IS ALREADY NOW IN VIEW OF THE BMW. MY UNDERSTANDING THE BMW USES THE CAMERA BEHIND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, FACING FORWARD, TO DETECT SUCH SCENARIOS.

    NHTSA complaint 10955560
  11. Filed Jan 27, 2017Failure Jan 14, 2017669 milesSAN Diego, CAElectrical system

    2016 BMW 740I IS EQUIPMENT WITH AUTOMATIC PARK DISTANCE CONTROL SYSTEM (PDC) THAT AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS CLOSE TO AN OBSTACLE WHEN DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED. THE SYSTEM IS VERY FLAKY IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, SOMETIMES IT ACTIVATES WHEN IT IS 2 FT AWAY FROM OBJECT AND MANY TIMES IT ACTIVATES WHEN IT IS ONLY 2 INCHES AWAY. IN SOME INSTANCE IT FAILS TO ACTIVATE COMPLETELY SO MANUAL INTERVENTION IS REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE SENSORS. DEALER TRIED REPAIRING TWICE INCLUDING NEW SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD AND CALIBRATION OF SENSORS BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSISTS AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10948062
  12. Filed Jan 25, 2017Failure Jan 4, 2017400 milesSAN Diego, CAVehicle speed control

    VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND PEDESTRIAN DETECTION FEATURE. THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL MISSES TO ADAPT SPEED OR STOP OR DETECT A VEHICLE IN FRONT REQUIRING DRIVER INTERVENTION TO AVOID A COLLISION. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE SYMPTOMS OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING. SYMPTOM 1: VEHICLE BMW WITH ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL IS TRACKING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ADAPTING SPEED HOWEVER FOR UNKNOWN REASON IT LATER FAILS TO START THE PROCESS OF SLOWING DOWN AND COLLISION ALARM IS SOUNDED SYMPTOM 2: VEHICLE BMW IS TRACKING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ADAPTING SPEED ON LANE 1; UPON BMW SWITCHING LANES TO ANOTHER CLEAR LANE THE CAR ACCELERATES TO REACH TARGET SPEED AND THOUGH IT DETECTS ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT IT FAILS TO START SLOWING DOWN. DRIVER INTERVENTION IS REQUIRED TO BRAKE AND SLOW DOWN. SYMPTOM 3: SAME AS DRIVING CONDITION IN SYMPTOM 2 EXCEPT THAT UPON LANE SWITCH THE BMW FAILS COMPLETELY TO DETECT A VEHICLE PARKED IN THE SECOND LANE AND KEEP GOING ON AT SAME SPEED. DRIVER INTERVENTION IS REQUIRED TO STOP THE BMW I HAVE VIDEOS OF THE THREE SYMPTOMS AND ASK YOU FOR MEANS TO UPLOAD THE VIDEOS. BMW DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO DOWNLOAD NEW SOFTWARE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THE PROBLEMS INCREASED. I HAVE VIDEOS RECORDED POST THE REPAIRS AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10947641
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

26 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • B010522 Mar 27, 2026 · Warranty Program/Extension
    THE FRONT AND REAR AIR SUSPENSION STRUT ASSEMBLIES LIMITED WARRANTY FOR DEFECTS IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 8 YEARS /80,000 MILES AS DETERMINED FROM THE ORIGINAL IN-SERVICE DATE.
  • B720125 Feb 11, 2026 · Warranty Program/Extension
    A situation may occur where the front passenger seat is not occupied; however, a “fasten seat belt” warning and a front passenger seat air bag deactivation message appears. If the situation is currently present, sit in the seat and move the seat to a slight…
  • B720125 Oct 29, 2025 · Warranty Program/Extension
    A situation may occur where the front passenger seat is not occupied; however, a “fasten seat belt” warning and a front passenger seat air bag deactivation message appears. If the situation is currently present, sit in the seat and move the seat to a slight…
  • B720125 Jun 10, 2025 · Warranty Program/Extension
    The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive Interior Sensor (CIS) Mat for defects in materials and/or workmanship that causes a false seat occupancy alert to occur has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as det…
  • B720125 May 1, 2025 · Warranty Program/Extension
    A situation may occur where the front passenger seat is not occupied; however, a “fasten seat belt” warning and a front passenger seat air bag deactivation message appears. If the situation is currently present, sit in the seat and move the seat to a slight…
  • B720125 Apr 18, 2025 · Warranty Program/Extension
    The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive Interior Sensor (CIS) Mat for defects in materials and/or workmanship that causes a false seat occupancy alert to occur has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as det…
  • B010224 May 2, 2024 · Warranty Program/Extension
    EVAP SYSTEM PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150
  • B630418 Mar 14, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
  • B510819 Jan 16, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
  • B610524 Jan 5, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3). FaultB7F8F9 âÃÂÓ âÃÂÃÂHU-H: ResetâÃÂàwill be stored in the HU-H3.
  • B611305 Jan 11, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âdisc…
  • B320223 Jan 4, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SITUATION Unusual noises occur only when operating the steering column in the axial direction. 1. A one-time thump sound at the start of movement Shortly after the steering column starts moving, retracting, or extending, a one-time thump noise is heard. …
  • B160623 Dec 20, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too l…
  • B653423 Nov 22, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâ™s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additio…
  • B631323 Nov 9, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The carpet welcome light(s) turns on either after a delay, or does not function at all.
  • B612823 Nov 9, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    A thumping sound is heard when the window reaches the closing end stop.
  • B011423 Nov 13, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE (PCV) EXTENDED LTD WTY 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES
  • B010919 Nov 16, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    DIESEL FUEL INJECTORS: LTD WTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES
  • B662419 Sep 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
  • SIB650922 Aug 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The sound output intermittently drops out entirely. This can be reproduced with all audio sources as well as telephone and voice output.
  • TEC26 Apr 1, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TEC26 Turbo Charger Return
  • TEC25 Mar 21, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Tec25 Wishbone Return
  • TEC24 Apr 14, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Tech24 Snap-in Adapter Return
  • SIM110115 Mar 1, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    MINI engine oil part number transition and model year 2016 engine oils
  • SIM010603 Mar 1, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    MINI "Enhanced" dealer self authorized (DSA)K goodwill program
  • B660616 Oct 1, 2016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    "? Error Patterns with BMW Display Key This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B66 06 16 dated April 2016. One or more of the following error patterns occurred while using the BMW display key; these error patterns only occur with the BMW display key…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.