NHTSA recall 98V-178 (98V178000)

engine and engine cooling recall reported August 4, 1998 - about 340,000 vehicles affected.

NHTSA campaign number: 98V178000
Also written as: 98V-178
Reported: August 4, 1998
Vehicles affected: ~340,000
Component: engine and engine cooling

What is being recalled

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.

Why it is dangerous

IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

The fix (free at any franchised dealer)

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Recall repairs are always free, regardless of vehicle age or where you bought the car. Quote the campaign number 98V-178 when calling a dealer.

Affected 13 models

BMW 318I - 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

BMW 318IC - 1995

BMW 318IS - 1992, 1993

BMW 325I - 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

BMW 325IC - 1994

BMW 325IS - 1992, 1993, 1994

BMW 525I - 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

BMW 530I - 1994

BMW 535I - 1991, 1992

BMW 540I - 1994, 1995

BMW 735I - 1991, 1992

BMW M3 - 1995

BMW M5 - 1991

Each year links to that car's full history: every recall, owner complaints and common problems.

Is YOUR car included? A campaign rarely covers every single vehicle of a model year. Check your exact car by its 17-character VIN with the free VIN decoder and recall check.

Source: NHTSA recall campaign data (public domain), refreshed weekly. See also the latest recall campaigns.