Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Mar 4, 2022
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Apr 15, 1998
What this page shows
Our database holds 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 BMW 328I. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 26 · page 1 of 2
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 4, 2022
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.
NHTSA ID
11455158
Incident
Mar 4, 2022
Electrical
Filed Oct 26, 2015
THE BRAKE LIGHT CONNECTION IS BAD ON THE LEFT SIDE WHICH RESULTS IN THE BREAK LIGHT NOT TO WORK.
NHTSA ID
10786008
Incident
May 27, 2015
Mileage
169,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 25, 2013
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
NHTSA ID
10537146
Incident
Aug 6, 2013
Mileage
165,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 25, 2013
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
NHTSA ID
10537145
Incident
Aug 6, 2013
Mileage
165,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 2013
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
NHTSA ID
10495249
Incident
Jul 19, 2012
Mileage
186,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 26, 2004
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
NHTSA ID
10055670
Incident
Jan 22, 2004
Mileage
59,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 11, 2003
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
NHTSA ID
10049606
Incident
Oct 14, 2003
Mileage
143,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 23, 2003
1 injury reported
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
NHTSA ID
10039864
Airbags
Filed May 28, 2003
Crash reported2 injuries reported
1998 BMW 328I - CRASHED GOING 35-40 MPH WITH EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ID
10020646
Incident
May 23, 2003
Mileage
66,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2003
NAR 03-31-2003 MR ENGINE GASKET FAILED WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE ENGINE. *CB
NHTSA ID
10014766
Incident
Mar 10, 2003
Mileage
54,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 29, 2003
THE REMOTE DOOR LOCK FUNCTION IS INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 2-3 TIMES, UNABLE TO REPAIR. PH
NHTSA ID
10005904
Incident
Oct 28, 2002
Brakes
Filed May 30, 2001
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
NHTSA ID
746172
Incident
Aug 11, 2000
Airbags
Filed Dec 4, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported
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
NHTSA ID
875897
Incident
Nov 28, 2000
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 27, 2000
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.
NHTSA ID
726125
Incident
May 19, 2000
Suspension
Filed Jun 1, 2000
DEALER PICKED UP CAR FOR OIL CHANGE AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT WITHOUT REQUEST OR AUTHORIZATION. SINCE THEN CAR PULLS TO RIGHT. AFTER. *AK
NHTSA ID
723470
Incident
Mar 22, 1999
Visibility
Filed Jun 16, 1999
1 injury reported
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
NHTSA ID
840168
Incident
Apr 25, 1998
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 22, 1999
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
NHTSA ID
706750
Fuel system
Filed Feb 1, 1999
GAS CAP FAILED. *YC
NHTSA ID
607922
Incident
Oct 1, 1998
Interior & seatsSteering
Filed Feb 1, 1999
4 WHEEL STEERING WHEEL AND ALIGNMENT IS OFF CENTER. YH
NHTSA ID
607399
Incident
Jun 30, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Feb 1, 1999
GAS INDICATOR FAILED. *YC
NHTSA ID
607289
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 1, 1999
DIFFERENTIAL SEAL FAILED. *YC
NHTSA ID
606796
Incident
Oct 29, 1998
Airbags
Filed Jan 21, 1999
Crash reported
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
NHTSA ID
833817
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 13, 1999
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
NHTSA ID
833494
Incident
Dec 5, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 23, 1998
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
NHTSA ID
831188
Brakes
Filed Apr 20, 1998
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
NHTSA ID
822620
Incident
Apr 18, 1998
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.