Vehicle safety record

1998 BMW 320 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 1998 BMW 320 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (1) and the lights (1). There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1997 has 1 and the 1999 has 2.

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NHTSA data checked 23 hours ago

26/100Safety Index

DMore problems than a typical 320 year, for its age

#195 most complained-about 1998 vehicle

Complaints: 6
Recalls: 0
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

Most common 1998 BMW 320 problems

Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1998 BMW 320

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 BMW 320. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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6 complaints about the 1998 BMW 320

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Transmission & drivetrain

This is 2nd failed transmission in 58577 miles. Original transmission failed at approx 21000 and was replaced under warranty by bmw. Crevier bmw was informed of problems with 2nd transmission may 2000 and stated they could not duplicate the problem, though made note of issue. On june 17, 2001 transmission failed and car towed to savage bmw, ontario ca, where they diagnosed failed transmission. Stated car not under warranty, though would contact bmw corporate. I find it inconceivable that a manual transmission...

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will fail approximately every 30,000 miles. Service dealer at savage bmw stated this is only the 3rd manual transmission he's had to replace since 1968. Bmw has a serious manufacturing problem that needs to be investigated. *Ak

Other & unknown

Car dealer/manufacturer will not supply a shop manual. The one aftermarket manual available is limited and has incorrect information. I need a shop manual to be able to repair my car myself. *Ak

Seats & seat belts

SEAT BELT FAILED.

Visibility & wipers

The right side view mirror malfunctioning, causing poor visibility. *Yc

Lights

MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED. *YC

Electrical system

Fuse blew causing the headlights / tail lights / rear side light bulb to fail. *Yc

BMW 320: every year compared

1977 1978 1979 1981 1989 1995 1996 1997 61998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Fires	Top problem	Grade
2002	0	1	0	-	C
2001	10	1	1	Engine & cooling	F
2000	0	1	0	-	C
1999	2	0	0	Body, doors & structure	B
1998	6	0	0	Electrical system	D
1997	1	0	0	Transmission & drivetrain	A
1996	1	0	0	Seats & seat belts	A
1995	2	0	0	Steering	B

All 320 years

1998 BMW 320 vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
1998 BMW 320	6	0	0	D
1998 BMW 528I	33	0	2	F	Compare
1998 BMW 328I	26	0	3	F	Compare
1998 BMW 540I	26	1	0	F	Compare
1998 BMW 323I	16	0	7	F	Compare
1998 BMW 318TI	11	0	1	F	Compare
1998 BMW 318I	8	0	2	C	Compare
1998 BMW 528	7	0	0	D	Compare
1998 BMW 325	4	0	0	B	Compare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Questions about the 1998 BMW 320

Does the 1998 BMW 320 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 BMW 320 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 BMW 320?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (1), lights (1), seats & seat belts (1).

How many complaints has the 1998 BMW 320 had?

6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 1, 1999 and the latest on June 18, 2001. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1998 BMW 320 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical BMW 320 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which BMW 320 years have the most complaints?

2001 (10), 1998 (6), 1989 (2). See every BMW 320 year compared.

What should I do if my 1998 BMW 320 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked 23 hours ago. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data