YearToAvoid

2019 BMW 740i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 13 740i years

The 2019 BMW 740i has 4 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 100, and ranks worst (1st) among 13 model years of data. It has 1 recall, tied to a crankshaft sensor issue on related 540d models. Top reported problem area is the Electrical System.

Complaints
4
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23.5
20.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2019 BMW 740i problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System2 (50%)
  2. Brakes1 (25%)
  3. Other1 (25%)
  4. Structure & Body1 (25%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain1 (25%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers1 (25%)

What owners report

  • Drivers report the vehicle rolling forward or moving unexpectedly after being parked and exited, leading to a crash.
  • Owners describe the sunroof glass shattering outward while driving around 45 mph, spraying sharp glass fragments onto occupants.
  • Some report the dashboard leather peeling and shrinking over time, eventually rolling back toward the windshield and blocking the driver's view, with median failure mileage around 56,000.
  • Owners describe rain condensation pooling inside the headlight housings, calling it a known issue tied to electrical concerns.
2019 BMW 740i complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2019May 2024Sep 2025Aug 2026
7 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2019 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2026 (3).

2019 BMW 740i recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V465000Jul 11, 2018Engine5,309 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.

    Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2019 BMW 740i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20.5 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
23.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,375
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other 740i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Caution507023
2018Good425023.5
2019No verdict1004123.5
2020No verdict171223.5
2021No verdict251224

All BMW 740i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 BMW 740i reliable?
NHTSA lists 4 complaints for the 2019 740i with a complaint index of 100, ranking it worst (1st) among 13 model years of 740i data based on owner complaints and recalls.
What is the top problem area for the 2019 BMW 740i?
The Electrical System is the top reported problem area, accounting for 2 of 4 complaints, or 50% share.
Does the 2019 BMW 740i have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for this generation, involving a crankshaft sensor with incorrect firmware that could prevent proper processing of crankshaft input, reported on related 2018 540d xDrive vehicles.
How does the 2019 740i compare to other 740i years?
Among other years, 2016 and 2023 carry an 'Avoid' verdict with complaint indexes of 75 and 92, while 2018 is rated 'Good' with an index of 42; the 2019 model's index of 100 is the highest listed.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.