- The problem
- The malfunction or failure of a coolant system component results in significantly increased coolant temperature and a resulting increase in system pressure.
- The risk
- Vehicles operated under this increased cooling systempressure condition can suffer damage or failure of parts of the cooling systemsuch as (1) leakage from a coolant hose, (2) leakage of the radiator orexpansion tank, (3) disconnection of a hose from a pipe or a fitting, and (4)cracks in the heater core end piece resulting in coolant leakage. In some cases,boiling coolant can contact the lower right leg of the driver resulting inburns. Also, escaping coolant in the passenger compartment can cause vaporfogging of the interior surface of the windows, reducing driver visibility.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a thermostatic bypass valve in the engine compartment to control coolant temperature in the heater core. Also, a new design radiator cap will be installed, to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
Vehicle safety record
1990 BMW M3 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1990 BMW M3 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in February 1993 for the heater core.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical M3 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1990 BMW M3 recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1990 BMW M3 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
BMW M3: every year compared
All M3 years1990 BMW M3 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 BMW M3 | 0 | 1 | A | |
| 1990 BMW 325I | 12 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 525I | 11 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 525 | 7 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 535 | 4 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 535I | 2 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 318 | 1 | 1 | A | 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 1990 BMW M3
Does the 1990 BMW M3 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1990 BMW M3: heater core (February 1993). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1990 BMW M3 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1990 BMW M3 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 82 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical BMW M3 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.
What should I do if my 1990 BMW M3 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 . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data