1998 BMW 328i recalls & problems
The 1998 BMW 328i has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 26 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (5 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints26filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1998 BMW 328i.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
328i Convertible
20mpg combined
| City / highway | 17 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
328i Convertible
19mpg combined
| City / highway | 16 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system Ignition | 5 | — |
| Air bags Side/window; Frontal | 4 | — |
| Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal | 3 | — |
| Power train Driveline; Automatic transmission | 3 | — |
| Suspension Front | 2 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine | 2 | — |
| Fuel system, other | 2 | — |
| Service brakes | 2 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap | 1 | — |
| Visibility Power window devices and controls | 1 | — |
| Seats | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Mar 4, 2022Service brakes
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. - May 27, 2015 · 169,000 milesElectrical system
THE BRAKE LIGHT CONNECTION IS BAD ON THE LEFT SIDE WHICH RESULTS IN THE BREAK LIGHT NOT TO WORK. - Aug 6, 2013 · 165,000 milesStructure › Body › Trunk lid
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 - Aug 6, 2013 · 165,000 milesElectronic stability control (esc)
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 - Jul 19, 2012 · 186,000 milesService brakes
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 - Jan 22, 2004 · 59,000 milesLatches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Lock
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 - Oct 14, 2003 · 143,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 1998 BMW 328I FAILED DUE TO BURNT FLUID AND OXIDATION. BMW PRODUCT LITERATURE CLEAR STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTAINS A "LIFETIME FILL" OF FLUID AND DOES NOT REQUIRE CHANGING. IN ADDITION, BMW DOES NOT INCLUDE A TRANSMISSION SERVICE IN ANY REGULARLY RECOMMENDED SERVICES AND NEVER RECOMMENDS THAT ONE BE PERFORMED. INTERSTING THOUGH, BMW RECOMMENDS THE USE OF DEXRON III/MERCON FLUID FOR THE TRANSMISSION. PRODUCT LITERATURE PUT OUT BY THE MANUFACTURERS OF THESE FLUIDS CLEARLY STATE THAT ALTHOUGH THE FLUID SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN NORMAL FLUID, IT STILL MUST BE CHANGED REGULARLY. EVERY ARTICLE REGARDING TRANSMISSIONS CLEARLY STATES THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE… - Sep 23, 2003 · 1 injuryAir bags › Side/window
THE SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY OUT THE AIR BAG DOOR COVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A CURB ON RAINY NIGHT, INSTEAD THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED DOWN THE DOOR AND BLEW OFF THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL. INJURES WERE CAUSED AS A RESULT OF THE DOOR TRIM WHICH FLEW OFF AND HIT THE PASSENGER IN THE RIBS. PHOTOS ATTACHED. A FIELD ENGINEER TOOK PHOTOS AND THE VEHICLE WAS BEING USED IN A TRAINING SESSION BEING HELD THERE. *PH *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.