1988 Bmw 735: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
202,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
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 | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Steering: 1; Tires: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 1; 2000: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10487355 · 2012-12-04 (December 4, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BMW 735 I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ANTI- THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,300. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW 735I 1988 ##
Owner-reported narrative. 202,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487355 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550177 · 2000-01-03 (January 3, 2000)
DEFECTIVE COOLING SYSTEM CAUSED RADIATOR TO MELT AND WATER PUMP TO FAIL. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 871334 · 2000-09-23 (September 23, 2000)
REAR PIRELLI TIRE BLEW BLEWOUT WHILE GOING 65MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES & DAMAGES. TIRES WERE AFTERMARKET & HAD ONLY 1,000 MILES. TIRE SIZE P245/45WR17. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S COST. DOT XTCBXKAW259. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 871334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970705 · 1995-08-18 (August 18, 1995)
STEERING WHEN COMING AROUND CORNERS LOSS OF STEERING BINDING LOSS OF POWER. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970705 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V135000 · Seats
Reported: 1988-08-11 (August 11, 1988)
THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEATBACKS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY ATTACHED TO THE SEAT BASE RECLINING ARMS (ATTACHING BRACKETS).
Consequence: THERE MAY BE LOOSENESS OF, OR NOISE IN, THE SEATBACK;ALSO, DURING A SEVERE REAR IMPACT, SEATBACK MIGHT NOT SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: MANUALLY SEAT THE SEATBACK ON THE BASE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V016000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1990-01-30 (January 30, 1990)
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FRONT SEAT CENTER, FOLD-DOWN ARM REST MAY CONTACT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELEASE BUTTON AND PREVENTING THE BELT TONGUE FROM LATCHING WHEN BUCKLING UP.
Consequence: OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH SHORTER VERSION THAT WILL NOT CONTACT THE ARMRESTS. NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION DATE; 2/90 IS PREPARED IN DRAFT FORM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗