RoadVitals

1988 BMW 735

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
8
Latest Dec 4, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jan 30, 1990
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 BMW 735, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags225.0%
  • Driver assistance225.0%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Steering112.5%
  • Tires & wheels112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
90V016000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Jan 30, 1990
62,000 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FRONT SEAT CENTER, FOLD-DOWN ARM REST MAY CONTACT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELEASE BUTTON AND PREVENTING THE BELT TONGUE FROM LATCHING WHEN BUCKLING UP.
The risk: OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH SHORTER VERSION THAT WILL NOT CONTACT THE ARMRESTS. NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION DATE; 2/90 IS PREPARED IN DRAFT FORM.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
88V135000

SEATS

Aug 11, 1988
8,187 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEATBACKS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY ATTACHED TO THE SEAT BASE RECLINING ARMS (ATTACHING BRACKETS).
The risk: THERE MAY BE LOOSENESS OF, OR NOISE IN, THE SEATBACK;ALSO, DURING A SEVERE REAR IMPACT, SEATBACK MIGHT NOT SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT.
The remedy: MANUALLY SEAT THE SEATBACK ON THE BASE.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92017ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEATER CORE FAILURE

Opened Jun 2, 1992
Closed Mar 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEMLed to recall 93V015000
PE91151ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING LOCK-UPS

Opened Dec 6, 1991
Closed Apr 30, 1992

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Dec 4, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BMW 735 I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,300. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW 735I 1988 ##

NHTSA ID
10487355
Incident
Dec 1, 2012
Mileage
202,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 23, 2000

REAR PIRELLI TIRE BLEW BLEWOUT WHILE GOING 65MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES & DAMAGES. TIRES WERE AFTERMARKET & HAD ONLY 1,000 MILES. TIRE SIZE P245/45WR17. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S COST. DOT XTCBXKAW259. *SLC

NHTSA ID
871334
Incident
Jul 26, 2000
Engine
Filed Jan 3, 2000

DEFECTIVE COOLING SYSTEM CAUSED RADIATOR TO MELT AND WATER PUMP TO FAIL. YH

NHTSA ID
550177
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 1999
Crash reported

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE ENGINE TOOK OFF, AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN APPLIED. CAR WENT THROUGH A GATE AND A BACKYARD. OWNER HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
844736
Airbags
Filed Apr 30, 1999
Crash reported

CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN WHICH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
837287
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 29, 1998
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER'S WIFE ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE WHEN IT ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, INJURING CONSUMER'S WIFE. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT SEEMED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. *AK VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
826031
Incident
Jul 26, 1998
Airbags
Filed May 28, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID
823723
Incident
Apr 20, 1998
Steering
Filed Aug 18, 1995

STEERING WHEN COMING AROUND CORNERS LOSS OF STEERING BINDING LOSS OF POWER. TT

NHTSA ID
970705
Incident
Jun 1, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

110794(4089)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

NEW RADIATOR COOLANT HOSES. *TW

130792(3700)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FEED FUEL HOSES UPDATE. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 735 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998100—
1997100—
1996000—
1995000—
1994000—
1993011—
1992212—
1991522—
1990321—
1989121—
1988Viewing822—
1987012—
1986112—
1985214—
1984001—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.