1998 BMW 328I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Owner complaints
26 complaints3 involved a crash5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Service brakes · Vehicle speed control
Bought car from third party with rebuilt title 333,000 miles currently and has been recertified by state patrol in 2015. Control cluster says taillight failure, and has issues with not starting. When jump started the car has reduced power with transmission limp mode light. Sometimes light comes on…
Bought car from third party with rebuilt title 333,000 miles currently and has been recertified by state patrol in 2015. Control cluster says taillight failure, and has issues with not starting. When jump started the car has reduced power with transmission limp mode light. Sometimes light comes on with limp mode, other time no limp mode at all. Have replaced taillights, battery and alternator with no fix. Still having reduced power, have to jump start my car and have a taillight failure. Cars front tires rub when turning even though all parts have clearance. Electrical problems surplus with this car. Everything from the radio, heater, transmission and taillights works intermittently.
- Electrical system
The brake light connection IS bad on the left side which results in the break light not to work.
- Structure › Body › Trunk lid
While driving at any speed and without any warning the trunk opened up. Now the trunk IS shut and will not open at all. *tr
- Electrical system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Exterior lighting
Brake lights warning "brake light failure" keeps being displayed across the control panel. I clean the tail lights and brakes lights and the lights did illuminate properly afterwards, the warning goes away. Then the next time I get in the car a day later the control says "1 brake light failure" then the next day says "brake light failure". *Tr
- Service brakes
Brake lights warning "brake light failure" keeps being displayed across the control panel. I clean the tail lights and brakes lights and the lights did illuminate properly afterwards, the warning goes away. Then the next time I get in the car a day later the control says "1 brake light failure" then the next day says "brake light failure". *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Nar 03-31-2003 mr engine gasket failed which allowed water to enter the engine. *cb
- Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Lock
While driving at any speed and without any warning the trunk opened up. *ak the latch continued slipping and the trunk would not lock. *sc
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission in my 1998 BMW 328I failed due to burnt fluid and oxidation. BMW product literature clear states that the transmission contains a "lifetime fill" of fluid and does not require changing. in addition, BMW does not include a transmission service in any regularly…
The automatic transmission in my 1998 BMW 328I failed due to burnt fluid and oxidation. BMW product literature clear states that the transmission contains a "lifetime fill" of fluid and does not require changing. in addition, BMW does not include a transmission service in any regularly recommended services and never recommends that one be performed. intersting though, BMW recommends the use of dexron iii/mercon fluid for the transmission. product literature put out by the manufacturers of these fluids clearly state that although the fluid should last longer than normal fluid, it still must be changed regularly. every article regarding transmissions clearly states the transmission should be serviced and the fluid changed regularaly. BMW refuses to stand behind its "lifetime fill" claim.*ak
- Air bags › Side/window
The side air bag failed to deploy out the air bag door cover, when the vehicle hit a curb on rainy night, instead the air bag deployed down the door and blew off the entire door panel. injures were caused as a result of the door trim which flew off and hit the passenger in the ribs. Photos attached. a field engineer took photos and the vehicle was being used in a training session being held there. *ph *jb
- Air bags
1998 BMW 328I - crashed going 35-40 mph with extensive front end damage and no air bags deployed.
- Electrical system
The remote door lock function IS inoperative. Vehicle was taken to dealer 2-3 times, unable to repair. ph
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Unknown or other
Check engine light came on 4 times all of the 4 times same problem, fuel expension tank problem. I had the same problem repair each time it happens. every signle time, the dealer told me that I had a bad part installed not that there IS a problem with the car itself. additionally, the brake…
Check engine light came on 4 times all of the 4 times same problem, fuel expension tank problem. I had the same problem repair each time it happens. every signle time, the dealer told me that I had a bad part installed not that there IS a problem with the car itself. additionally, the brake ciruit warning light came on 6 times while I was in atlanta,georgia last year. Upon return to st. Petersburg, florida, bert smith BMW fixed it. now, last week the brake circuit warning light came on again. This time, I am in miami, fl and plan to take the car to lauderdale import. Ldt./bwm and the car IS not longer under the manufacturer warranty like the first time. Please check to see if the problem I am having with the car becaus of manufacture defects. Thanks. *ak
- Air bags › Side/window
Vehicle sustained a direct hit in side, between both front passenger's and rear passenger's doors, and side air bags did not deploy. BMW has been contacted. *ak
- Fuel system, other · Power train
Fuel sensors failed. gas gauge showed fuel but car ran out of gas at freeway speed in rushhour traffic. Fues sensors have been replaced 5 times. Thus, I drive my car by the trip odometer and not the fuel gauge.bmw states problem IS due to gas IS california. BMW states not a manufacturers' defect.
- Suspension › Front
Dealer picked up car for oil change and performed an alignment without request or authorization. since then car pulls to right. After. *ak
- Seats · Steering
Seats are squeaking and rattling. yh
- Fuel system, other
Gas indicator failed. *yc
- Power train › Driveline
Differential seal failed. *Yc
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Window has an automatic upward toll feature which goes up with one touch on the power window button. But it did not stop when a finger got caught in the window and was cut off. this feature IS on all 4 windows. please provide further information. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Little power upon acceleration, then car surges.safety switch in ignition failed to release key when car was turned off and in park. After 5 attempts to repair, now ingition will not accept key to go in when attmpting to start the car. he ignition. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Gas cap failed. *yc
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was traveling at 40 mph and had a side collision with another vehicle, and the air bags did not deploy. Dealer has not been contacted. *ak
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
While pulling into a parking space,with brakes applied, the accelerator pedal stuck. The engine had revved up prior to acceleration. Took vehicle to dealer & informed it was an electrical feeder. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
When the vehicle went from park to drive unintended accleration has occurred on three occasions, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the problem. please give any further details. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When pulling out a parking space with both feet depressed on the brake pedal the vehicle started moving forward, causing a near accident. dealer notified. *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 602917Information on new airbags.
- 601926Condition regarding long life engine oil.
- 601101Subject on voluntary exhaust emission service action no. 98E-a01.
- 600874Information on evaporative emission control and fuel filler cap / filler door labels.
- 600873Subject on voluntary exhaust emission service action no. 98E-a01. Produced from 10/95 - 11/97 *yc*db
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