Tank Assembly Problems of BMW 740

Thumping noises from under rear seat of car while driving. Fuel tank imploding sucking itself inwards then cracking causing fuel to leak on to pavement while driving down the road. Driver not aware of this until parking and smelling fuel while standing near the car. After further research found a service bulletin dated February 1998 on this very issue which never became a recall.

Fuel tank "tin cans" when lower on fuel. Fear degradation of fuel tank. From other sources, this is a known problem with Bmws.

See all problems of the 1998 BMW 740 🔎.

The contact owns a 1998 BMW 740il. While refueling he noticed gas was leaking form underneath the vehicle. Once he stopped pumping gas it stopped leaking. This failure recurred whenever he would refuel the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure. Over time he began to hear a thumping noise coming from the fuel tank while driving or stopped. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where he was informed there was a split on one of the seems for the fuel tank. The vehicle was then taken to another independent repair shop where the fuel tank was repaired. The thumping failure continued to recur so the vehicle was taken back to an independent repair shop where the fuel tank was replaced. The thumping failure continues to recur. The failure mileage was 178,000 and the current mileage was 180,000.

Recently purchased a 2001 BMW 740il. After a month of owning this vehicle I started noticing a loud thump from behind the drivers seat. I thought it could of been a transmission issue but later on a gasoline odor started to develop in my garage parking space. After taking a quick look underneath my car, I saw moisture building up right under the left rear passenger seat. It was a hairline crack and fuel was slowly leaking from the fuel tank. Doing some short research, I've found out that this is a common problem with the model BMW I own. However, no recalls have been issued. This isn't a broken window regulator or a radio button that doesn't work. It is a serious, serious safety issue.

See all problems of the 2001 BMW 740 🔎.

Hi, I brought this car from another person (original owner),he told me that the car makes a weird noise when sitting or driving he couldn't tell me why it was happening upon further inspection found fuel tank to be sucking in and out I didn't pay to much attention thinking wasn't much to it until one day went to refuel vehicle wasn't able to get any gas into vehicle,upon inspection found gas tank had imploded beyond repair,I spoke to an advisor at local BMW dealer if there was any bulletins on issue he told me no at first,he then asked a tech at dealer about issue he said the evap canister system had something to do with ,so there is some knowledge about issue my question is due think that there should of a recall or campaign out there regardless of year of vehicle since I think its a safety issue to me and my family as well as to the next person who gets this vehicle,aswell its very expensive repair when I believe its BMW responsibility to recall all these dangerous tank issue. Hope you can help me and guide me in right direction resolve problem overall I like the vehicle.

My gas tank is slowly imploding. . . Apparently, BMW is quite aware of the condition as a bulletin was produced on 11-9-2003 based on a defect in engineering design or the hardware chosen. In the meantime, my car is a fuel timebomb - this is an obvious manufacturing defect.

Approximately a year ago I started smelling mild gasoline fumes emanating from the left side of the car. At the time I thought it might be caused by some spillage when refueling. Over time the odor has become stronger. Upon inspection by the BMW dealership it was ascertained that a crack existed on the left side of the fuel tank and significant rust was present. These defects allow gas to seep out and drip to the ground. The automobile has been well maintained and the dealer verified that there was no road/accident damage to the area. The dealer indicated that they had never seen this failure before. They also indicated that the car was out of warranty (7 years/100,000 miles). The car has about 110,000 miles. I also spoke with BMW north America and they also returned the same "verdict" my contention is first that this is a valid and serious safety issue which in all likelihood existed while under warranty. Second, that BMW has the responsibility to repair the problem because a typical fuel tank should not structurally fail after only 8 years in service. To assure my safely I have limited use of the vehicle and only fill it with 5 gallons of fuel at a time. At this much lower level it does not leak. Thank you for reviewing my request.

Notice a bumping sound for rear of car when stopped and running. Fuel tank is imploding!! also, noticed that gas tank makes a whoosing/sucking sound whine the gas cap is removed. Heavy gas fumes when the car is sitting. Noticed very strong gas fumes. . . . . Gas tank is now leaking! I have taken the car to the dealer and am awaiting to here back form them. Was told that this is a normal issue with the 740il. Was told that I need to have the tank removed and replaced with a new unit. Quite costly!!! was told that BMW has a service bulletin for vent lines but they were not very helpful. Called salvage yards hoping to find a used tank and was told that 740 tanks are very hard to find because they all spring leaks. If this is happening often why not have BMW address the issue??.

My car was leaking gas from the tank on the way home and when I got home I noticed that the gas tank was wet with gas and it leaked on the floor my whole garage is filled with gas vapor.

See all problems of the 2000 BMW 740 🔎.

There seems to be a common defect in the '1995-'01 BMW 740 series gas tank. There is a problem that occurs that creates a vaccum in the tank which then makes the tank implode. It just crush in upon itself until it pops or a seam breaks somewhere. This happened to me yesterday while I was driving to work and had 17 gallons of gas spewing from underneath the car. I didn't notice it until I was in my parking garage which is in a 49 story building. The jersey city fire department came then brought in their hazmat team. They recovered/cleaned up maybe 7 gallons while in the garage so about 10 gallons spilled while I was driving. Needless to say this was an extremely dangerous situation that could have been prevented if BMW had recalled the car on this item. . Read more...

See all problems of the 1997 BMW 740 🔎.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

See all problems of the 1996 BMW 740 🔎.

Plastic fuel tank experienced a crack in center , causing fuel leakage. Dealer / manufacturer were not notified at this time. Consumer states the integrity of the gas tank material was insufficient to withstand negative pressure from fuel pump covering tank to contract and crush liked flimsy sodacan.

Gas tank imploded sucking itself in and causing gas to leak and spill. Tank was replaced in September of 2000. However, problem has been ongoing since then. Also, there are popping noises coming from tank area, which means that gas in tank is not properly venting,causing a build up. Technicians have heard the noise, but are unable to rectify it when it's not doing it.