AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

1998 BMW 320

SUV, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Feb 1, 1999 to Jun 18, 2001.

Recalls (0)Complaints (6)Investigations (0)Bulletins (1)
Recall campaigns covering this model year0No recall campaign lists this model year
Owner complaints6Below the median 1998 suv
Severity index0.01998 suvs average 14.2
First 24 months5Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 1998 BMW 320 peaked in 1999, with 5 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

024619995200220052008201120142017202020232026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

17% of complaints about the 1998 BMW 320 name electrical system

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Electrical system
1
Lighting
1
Powertrain
1
Seat belts
1
Structure
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

No recall campaign lists the 1998 BMW 320

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 1998 BMW 320

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

6 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Jun 18, 2001Failure Jun 17, 2001Phillips Ranch, CAAutomatic transmission

    THIS IS 2ND FAILED TRANSMISSION IN 58577 MILES. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APPROX 21000 AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY BMW. CREVIER BMW WAS INFORMED OF PROBLEMS WITH 2ND TRANSMISSION MAY 2000 AND STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THOUGH MADE NOTE OF ISSUE. ON JUNE 17, 2001 TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAR TOWED TO SAVAGE BMW, ONTARIO CA, WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED FAILED TRANSMISSION. STATED CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THOUGH WOULD CONTACT BMW CORPORATE. I FIND IT INCONCEIVABLE THAT A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 30,000 MILES. SERVICE DEALER AT SAVAGE BMW STATED THIS IS ONLY THE 3RD MANUAL TRANSMISSION HE'S HAD TO REPLACE SINCE 1968. BMW HAS A SERIOUS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 747004
  2. Filed Jun 30, 1999Waltham, MAUnknown or other

    CAR DEALER/MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SUPPLY A SHOP MANUAL. THE ONE AFTERMARKET MANUAL AVAILABLE IS LIMITED AND HAS INCORRECT INFORMATION. I NEED A SHOP MANUAL TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR MY CAR MYSELF. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 708059
  3. Filed Feb 1, 1999Newport BE, CAAnchorage, Door

    SEAT BELT FAILED.

    NHTSA complaint 607686
  4. Filed Feb 1, 1999Covina, CAExterior

    THE RIGHT SIDE VIEW MIRROR MALFUNCTIONING, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *YC

    NHTSA complaint 607627
  5. Filed Feb 1, 1999Failure Oct 12, 1998Torrance, CASwitch

    MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED. *YC

    NHTSA complaint 607468
  6. Filed Feb 1, 1999Failure Oct 1, 1998Fullerton, CAFuses and circuit breakers

    FUSE BLEW CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS / TAIL LIGHTS / REAR SIDE LIGHT BULB TO FAIL. *YC

    NHTSA complaint 606676
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
All investigations
Service bulletins

1 manufacturer communication cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • B510819 Jan 16, 2024 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.
About service bulletins