1998 BMW 328I: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 26 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
26
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest 328I years (#14 of 17 by complaints, age-adjusted)No fire reportsNo recall campaigns
Common problems
Computed from 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 26 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)4 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)3 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)3 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)2 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)2 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)2 complaints
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2022
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 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”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2012
“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”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2004
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 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.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2000
“Dealer picked up car for oil change and performed an alignment without request or authorization. Since then car pulls to right. After. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 1998
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
TransmissionAutomatic
Body stylesSedan/Saloon
How other years compare
Check your exact 328I by VIN
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Is the 1998 BMW 328I reliable?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 BMW 328I. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.