NHTSA vehicle safety data
1998 BMW M3 Recalls & Complaints
The 1998 BMW M3 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 14 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 BMW M3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1998 BMW M3 owner complaints
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 BMW M3, describing incidents dated December 1, 1997 to October 13, 2008.
Most-cited components
- Power Train 3 complaints
- Air Bags 2 complaints
- Electrical System 2 complaints
- Suspension 2 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 2 complaints
- Engine 1 complaint
Of the 14 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 14 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #10248328 · Filed
ON OCTOBER 13TH AT APPROXIMATELY 1800HRS THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY 1998 BMW M3 "RAPIDLY DEFLATED" RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH. APPROXIMATELY 1/4 OF THE INNER SIDEWALL WAS LEFT SHREDDED. WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND WARM, WITH NO DEBRIS OR CONTAMINATION ON THE ROAD SURFACE(SR-62). THE TIRE WAS INSTALLED BY…
ODI #10170545 · Filed
1) NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION 2) LEFT REAR STRUT-TOWER FAILURE RESULTING IN PENETRATION OF STRUT AND SPRING AND FAILURE OF REAR SUSPENSION. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT. 3) REPAIRS PENDING. KNOWN ISSUE W/ BMW E-36'S. *NM
ODI #10120195 · Filed
THE SHOCK WELLS RUSTED AND CRACKED MAKING SHOCKS PROTRUDE OUT OF IT'S MOUNTS.
BMW/SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS
NHTSA #99V063001 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice
Reported November 15, 1999 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Potentially affected: 16,749 vehicles
Owners notified February 7, 2000 · Vehicles built March 1, 1997 – August 31, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.
Safety consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) COULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 7, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other BMW M3 model years
Check your 1998 BMW M3 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW M3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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