Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 1985 BMW 735 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
2
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
4
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 1 | 50% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 50% | new |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
INCORRECT MACHINING OF THE SEATING SURFACE OF THE WHEELS WHERE IT CONTACTS THE HUB OF THE CAR MAY PREVENT THE WHEELS FROM MOUNTING SECURELY TO THE HUB. THIS MAY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO BREAK AND COULD FALL OFF. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE WHEELS COULD LOOSEN AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. OWNERS SHOULD NOT DRIVE THEIR CARS UNTIL REPAIR WORK HAS BEEN DONE.
Remedy
SCRAPE THE CENTER BORE OF THE RIM SO IT CAN CLEAR THE CENTER OF THE HUB.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“VEHICLE'S LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. *MR WHEN THE TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE ANOTHER MOTORIST TRIED TO AVOID HITTING THE TIRE BUT INSTEAD RAN ONTO THE MEDIAN HAD MINOR BUMPER DAMAGE. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED HOURS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS CHANGED. *JB”
“I WAS DRIVING MY BMW 735I 1985 CAR IN THE CITY AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY SEAT TOTALLY WENT ALL THE WAY BACK I WAS ON MY BACK LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT ANYBODY LATER ON I LOOKED AT MY SEAT I SAW THE POCKET THE LEATHER POCKET ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT I GOT INTO IT I FOUND A BRACKET A BAR SUPPORT BAR…”
The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1985 BMW 735. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.