1998 BMW M3
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1998 BMW M3. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1998 BMW M3. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. these vehicles are built with a side air bag system consisting of door-mounted thorax air bags (rear door air bags are optional), a central electronic sensor and diagnostic system, left and right satellite impact sensors, and associated wiring. this system IS unduly sensitive to certain non-crash impacts, such as…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause the side air bag to deploy without an actual side crash. in addition, the battery safety terminal (bst) could also activate, disconnecting the starter cable from the battery. in this case, the vehicle's electrical system could continue to operate and the engine would continue to run, but after stopping, could not be restarted.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the central computer control module that regulates the performance of all of the vehicle's occupant protection systems.
Owner complaints
14 complaints2 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
On october 13TH at approximately 1800hrs the left rear tire of my 1998 BMW M3 "rapidly deflated" resulting in a rollover crash. approximately 1/4 of the inner sidewall was left shredded. weather was sunny and warm, with no debris or contamination on the road surface(sr-62). the tire was…
On october 13TH at approximately 1800hrs the left rear tire of my 1998 BMW M3 "rapidly deflated" resulting in a rollover crash. approximately 1/4 of the inner sidewall was left shredded. weather was sunny and warm, with no debris or contamination on the road surface(sr-62). the tire was installed by a BMW service center 5/7/08 at 68,814 miles, accident occurred at 82,943 miles. the dunlop 8080e p245/40 ZR-17 dot# dmc903y1607 was determined to have good tread at the time of the accident by the california highway patrol and the tire pressure was checked three days prior. *Tr
- Suspension › Rear
1) normal vehicle operation 2) left rear strut-tower failure resulting in penetration of strut and spring and failure of rear suspension. Could have resulted in loss of control and accident. 3) repairs pending. known issue w/ BMW E-36'S. *nm
- Suspension › Rear
The shock wells rusted and cracked making shocks protrude out of it's mounts.
- Power train › Manual transmission
Repeated failure of the shift gate. tranny sticks in 5TH gear position, causing dangerous shift delays while in traffic. see: http://www.brazeauracing.com/tech/transmissions.htm for a partial listing of those affected. *jb
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Problem1: rear defogger not working. Checked the system, fuses okay, voltage correctly supplied to rear window heating contacts. Heating elements in the window itself are failing. Afety issue: no visibility through the rear window when fogged.*ak problem2: automatic environmental controls are…
Problem1: rear defogger not working. Checked the system, fuses okay, voltage correctly supplied to rear window heating contacts. Heating elements in the window itself are failing. Afety issue: no visibility through the rear window when fogged.*ak problem2: automatic environmental controls are quitting erratically leaving driver without windshield defogger, air blower, heating or air conditioning. Car has no safety default or manual override option. safety issues: occupants can get frost bites or freeze to death in harsh winter conditions or suffer from heat stroke during hot weather. Fogging of the windshield and side windows with disfunctional blower.
- Power train › Manual transmission
The gear shift in my manual transmission, 1998 BMW M3 (4 door), sticks under fifth gear and often I am also unable to shift into fifth gear. the issue with this IS well known by BMW of north america. the danger here IS that when I want to shift into fifth gear I cannot, and more importantly, it…
The gear shift in my manual transmission, 1998 BMW M3 (4 door), sticks under fifth gear and often I am also unable to shift into fifth gear. the issue with this IS well known by BMW of north america. the danger here IS that when I want to shift into fifth gear I cannot, and more importantly, it IS extremely difficult to downshift from 4TH to 3RD because the gear shift naturally wants to go into fifth. this can be a very serious problem when going into a turn or needing to downshift to control engine speed rather than using brakes when conditions may be too slick to safely apply the brakes. *la
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle has been through at least four separate dealers with brake light failures. problem continues to remain unresloved. Dealers cannot locate fault and continues to replace bulbs or bend connectors on sockets. engine, transmission, oil pan gaskets all failing with only 41,000 miles on vehicle.…
Vehicle has been through at least four separate dealers with brake light failures. problem continues to remain unresloved. Dealers cannot locate fault and continues to replace bulbs or bend connectors on sockets. engine, transmission, oil pan gaskets all failing with only 41,000 miles on vehicle. inlet leakage on fuel valve failing for second time. major alternator problem for second time. Despite repeated reports of rough shifting, with problems engaging and disengaging gears, no answer other than everything IS fine. this issue has been compared with other M3 vehicles and drivers all have stated and experienced issues with my vehicle. Stereo, temperature control failing. front bumbper assembly consistently losing parts. no accidents involved with vehicle. vehicle has been at various dealers over 8 times in past year with significant out of pocket for rental car expenses.
- Air bags
The dealer fix for this problem across the country has been to reset the code and say, "oh, don't worry about it." apparently its a sensor in the seat, and lots of bmw's are having these problems. Safety system faults should not be tolerated.*ak
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
Intermittently vehicle would suddenly accellerate. Problem has occurred on four occasions. been in dealer's shop on three occasions, and was unable to locate the cause. Please feel free to provide any further details. *ak
- Electrical system › Horn · Structure › Body
Horn stopped working on 3 different occasions. dealer attempted to remed problem. but, after 3 months horn would go out again. last time dealer replaced the contact points. also, half of the spoiler came off, bolts had fallen apart without warning, causing spoiler to fall off immediately while driving.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
Brakes disc failed. yh
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery
Battery failure.
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer ran into a pole and split pole in half, air bags did not deploy. automobile was totalled. dealer was contacted. *ak
- Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Interior
The factory installed rear view mirror blocks a substantial portion of the driver's field of view and creates a very large and extremely unsafe blind zone.
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.
- 10244237Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
- 10040853BMW: a grinding noise IS coming from the differential during slow cornering. When turning a slip/stick effect IS created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential clutch causes a grinding noise.
- 10030850BMW: thermostat housing inspection. The retaining springs of the thermostat housing quick release couplings for the coolant hoses may not be locked correctly. This situation may result in a coolant leak. Models affected are M3 sedan (E90), coupe (92), and convertible (393). No model years listed.
- 608237This bulletin contains information on new vehicle preparation and maintenance requirements for various models.
- 604633Customer may complain of engine running rough on cold start.
- 602917Information on new airbags.
- 602476New vehicle preparation and maintenance requirements.
- 602464Subject on retrofit of motorsport head restraints.
- 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
Every BMW M3 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.