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1998 BMW 3 Series

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Airbags & Restraints

Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 18 of 77 complaints (23%) mention it.

Complaints filed rose from 51 in 1997 to 77 in 1998.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 1998: 6 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category19961997199819992000vs. 1998 Subcompact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)3,350–3,9003,250–4,1002,600–3,3002,600–3,1003,700–4,300
Combined MPG20–2319–2419–2420–2418–21
City / Highway MPG18–20 / 24–2917–20 / 24–2916–20 / 24–2917–20 / 25–3016–18 / 22–26
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)386–444370–468370–468370–444423–494
Complaints filed575177247692Not compared
Recalls issued55479Not compared
Crash-involved complaints76152222Not compared
Fire-involved complaints001109Not compared
Injuries reported71131830Not compared
Deaths reported01050Not compared
Configurations compared46666

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1998 BMW 3 Series have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1998 BMW 3 Series?

Airbags & Restraints: 18 of 77 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 3 Series get?

EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 BMW 3 Series?

EPA estimates $2,600–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (12)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd62.5LRear-Wheel DriveRegularMinicompact Cars17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg$3,100444 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd62.5LRear-Wheel DriveRegularMinicompact Cars18 mpg27 mpg21 mpg$2,950423 g/mi
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd62.8LRear-Wheel DriveRegularMinicompact Cars16 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)19 mpg (low)$3,300 (high)468 g/mi (high)
Configuration 4Manual 5-spd62.8LRear-Wheel DriveRegularMinicompact Cars17 mpg26 mpg20 mpg$3,100444 g/mi
Configuration 5Automatic 4-spd41.9LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars19 mpg28 mpg23 mpg$2,700386 g/mi
Configuration 6Manual 5-spd41.9LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars20 mpg (high)29 mpg (high)24 mpg (high)$2,600 (low)370 g/mi (low)
Configuration 7Automatic 4-spd62.5LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg$3,100444 g/mi
Configuration 8Manual 5-spd62.5LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars18 mpg27 mpg21 mpg$2,950423 g/mi
Configuration 9Automatic 4-spd62.8LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars16 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)19 mpg (low)$3,300 (high)468 g/mi (high)
Configuration 10Manual 5-spd62.8LRear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars17 mpg26 mpg20 mpg$3,100444 g/mi
Configuration 11Automatic 4-spd41.9LRear-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars20 mpg (high)28 mpg23 mpg$2,700386 g/mi
Configuration 12Manual 5-spd41.9LRear-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars20 mpg (high)29 mpg (high)24 mpg (high)$2,600 (low)370 g/mi (low)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine71010
Transmission & Drivetrain80000
Fuel System60000
Electrical110000
Brakes70000
Steering10000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires91010
Airbags & Restraints18111110
Driver Assistance & Speed Control103000
Body, Seats & Latches60000
Visibility & Lighting140010
Other60000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (4)

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E064000 · Jul 17, 2006

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E044000 · May 23, 2006

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    Remedy: J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 06E023000 · Mar 14, 2006

    Defect: CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

    Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.