NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 56 owner complaints for the 1998 BMW 3 Series. Most complaints involve air bags (15) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each 3 Series model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 45 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1998 | 56 |
| 1999 | 241 |
| 2000 | 647 |
| 2001 | 457 |
| 2011 | 861 |
| 2012 | 172 |
| 2013 | 344 |
| 2014 | 378 |
| 2015 | 196 |
| 2020 | 110 |
| 2021 | 44 |
| 2022 | 15 |
“REPORT#2:06/08/1999, MY LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER,CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN. I REGAINED MY CORRECT DRIVING PATH. TO AVOID ADDITIONAL COLLISIONS, I DEPARTED THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT NON-CURBED WET GRASSY ROADSIDE. TO AVOID STRIKING A WOOD TELEPHONE OR ELECTRICAL POLE, I TURNED SHARPLY RIGHT. I FIRMLY BRAKED & MY CAR SLID ON WET GRASS, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, MAKING FRONTAL LOW IMPACT WITH A BRICK ROADSIDE WALL. MY CAR FORTUNATELY HAD A AUTOMATIC FRONT SEAT-BELTING SYSTEM FOR MY CLOSED-TOP CONVERTBLE. MY 2 DAUGHTER PASSENGERS & I WERE ALL SEAT-BELTED. MY 10 YRS OLD, IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT & MY 4 YR OLD WAS IN THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SEAT, DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. WE WERE ALL STARTLED BY THE EVENT. I COULD SEE MY DAUGHTER TO MY RIGHT SIDE WAS UNHARMED. KNOWING WE WOULD ALL NEED TO SOON EXIT THE CAR & I WOULD NEED TO ASSIST MY YOUNGEST, I UNBUCKLED MY SEATBELT. I NEXT TURNED MYSELF TO THE RIGHT, TO CHECK ON MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, BEHIND ME. I SAW SHE WAS OK. I NEXT HEARD A LOUD POP IN FRONT OF ME, SO I TURNED FORWARD TO SEE A SMALL RECTANGULAR PLASTIC PILLOW FILLING WITH AIR. I REALIZED IT MUST BE THE AIRBAG. NEXT I FELT A EXTREME…”
“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.”
“THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS WHICH PREVENTS THE BRAKE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CAR IS BRAKE. SUBSEQUENTLY, CRUISE CONTROL CANNOT BE DISENGAGED BY THE BRAKE ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. INSTEAD WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE BRAKE THE DEPRESSED THE CAR SPEEDS UP COMPENSATING FOR THE LOST SPEED. THIS GREATLY INCREASES THE CHANCE FOR A HIGH SPEED CRASH BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318i/318is Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| 318ti Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| 318i/318is Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| 318ti Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| 323i Convertible Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| 323is Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| 323i Convertible Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 323is Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 328i Convertible Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 328i/328is Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 328i Convertible Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| 328i/328is Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (15), electrical system (6), vehicle speed control (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 BMW 3 Series at 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).