1998 Bmw 328I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
154,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 15 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 26.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 13.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Air Bags:Side/Window: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2003: 5; 2004: 1; 2013: 3; 2015: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10495249 · 2013-01-30 (January 30, 2013)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 186,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537145 · 2013-08-25 (August 25, 2013)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049606 · 2003-12-11 (December 11, 2003)
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 S…
Owner-reported narrative. 143,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11455158 · 2022-03-04 (March 4, 2022)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11455158 at NHTSA ↗