1998 BMW M
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 17 of 33 complaints (52%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 19 in 1997 to 33 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Minicompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700 | 3,700–3,900 | 2,950–3,450 | 3,100–3,450 | 4,100–5,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 20–21 | 18–21 | 18–20 | 15–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18 / 26 | 17–18 / 26 | 15–18 / 23–26 | 15–17 / 23–24 | 12–17 / 19–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423 | 423–444 | 423–494 | 444–494 | 468–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 1 | 19 | 33 | 41 | 31 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
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 M have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 M?
Body, Seats & Latches: 17 of 33 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW M get?
EPA rates it 18–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 BMW M?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 15 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 (1)
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · Campaign 99V063001 · Nov 18, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) COULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.