2021 BMW 740I: common problems
The maker issued 156 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 156
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 65 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually…
The manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually afterperforming an engine oil service task, is inoperative or it may lock up at between a 15% to 30% completionrate.
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been…
The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
- THE FRONT AND REAR AIR SUSPENSION STRUT ASSEMBLIES LIMITED WARRANTY FOR DEFECTS IN MATERIALS OR…
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.
- A check control message is displayed, indicating that the parking assistance systems have…
A check control message is displayed, indicating that the parking assistance systems have limitedfunctionality due to errors detected within PDC sensors. The warning indicates parking assistance featureshave limited…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL 24E-A02
- BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective April 12, 2024) on certain Model Year 2023 - 2025 BMW…
BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective April 12, 2024) on certain Model Year 2023 - 2025 BMW vehicles that were produced between July 21, 2021, and April 11, 2024.
- One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored
- The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3)
FaultB7F8F9 ÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂàÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂHU-H: ResetÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂàwill be stored in the HU-H3.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few…
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…
- At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e
when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the…
- 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. See attached video V32 03 23 2. Humming noise while…
- A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP)…
A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system(NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel…
NHTSA lists 156 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 BMW 740I?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 156 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 BMW 740I?
NHTSA lists 156 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 BMW 740I from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.