Bmw 323i 1998

Model 323i made in 1998 by Bmw got 26 consumer complains as well as 3 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags and engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding air bags and engine and engine cooling. The car has one 2.5 engine.

Model 1998

Engine [L]CylindersTransmissionDriveEstimate MPG (city/highway/combined)Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined)FuelFuel costClassRelease date
2.5 6Lockup/automatic, 4 gearsR19/27/2220.8956/34.6788/25.4468Regular853MINICOMPACT CARS
2.5 6Manual, 5 gearsR20/30/2422.4856/38.3202/27.6218Regular782MINICOMPACT CARS
2.5 6Lockup/automatic, 4 gearsR19/27/2220.8956/34.6788/25.4468Regular853SUBCOMPACT CARS
2.5 6Manual, 5 gearsR20/30/2422.4856/38.3202/27.6218Regular782SUBCOMPACT CARS

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
AIR BAGS
72 04 9810/01/1998602917Information on new airbags. *yc01/21/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
11 08 9807/01/1998601926Condition regarding long life engine oil. *yc08/31/1998
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
65 10 9701/01/1998600528Subject on sound volume adjustment on e36 convertible w/ hi-fi audo system (harman-kardon) manufactured between 03/01/97 and 10/16/97 with option 674 *db*yc05/20/1998

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS
09/13/20091340001
 I have a 1998bmw 323is and i recently met with an accident on sunday 9/13/2009. my friend was driving my car and it crashed very badly. the whole front portion is gone and car is reusable. what surprises me is the airbags never came out. only the side airbag(drivers side) just cameout1/2. is this what happens in a crash?how can i trust cars in the crash? *tr
07/08/2002108/01/2098
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
09/13/20091340001
 I have a 1998bmw 323is and i recently met with an accident on sunday 9/13/2009. my friend was driving my car and it crashed very badly. the whole front portion is gone and car is reusable. what surprises me is the airbags never came out. only the side airbag(drivers side) just cameout1/2. is this what happens in a crash?how can i trust cars in the crash? *tr
09/26/2000102/02/1998
 Police report states that vehicle ran into an expedition. most of the report was unclear. driver had suffered a heart attack on the way to hospital, and could not remember any other details at this time. vehicle was totaled. upon impact, air bags did not deploy. *ak
01/07/1999
 Vehicle was t-boned by another vehicle, and side air bag didn't deploy. consumer sustained injuries. *ak
AIR BAGS - SIDE/WINDOW
09/13/20091340001
 I have a 1998bmw 323is and i recently met with an accident on sunday 9/13/2009. my friend was driving my car and it crashed very badly. the whole front portion is gone and car is reusable. what surprises me is the airbags never came out. only the side airbag(drivers side) just cameout1/2. is this what happens in a crash?how can i trust cars in the crash? *tr
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
03/09/19992
 While driving at approximately 70mph engine blew out. had no warning. coasted vehicle to side of road. had vehicle towed to dealer. was informed by mechanic that engine could be repaired. was not informed what caused the engine to blow out. *ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
09/08/2012954001
 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
09/08/201295400
 The brake light switch fails which prevents the brake light to illuminate when the car is braked. 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
11/11/199806/27/1998
 Electronic system--low coolant and gas measure level.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLING/CHARGING
05/01/199804/20/1998
 Electric locks short circuit. fuel tank cap sensor short circuit.
OTHER
11/11/199806/27/1998
 Electronic system--low coolant and gas measure level.
SERVICE BRAKES
09/08/2012954001
 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
09/08/201295400
 The brake light switch fails which prevents the brake light to illuminate when the car is braked. 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.
STRUCTURE - BODY
105/01/1998
 Glove box switch.
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR
05/01/199804/20/1998
 Electric locks short circuit. fuel tank cap sensor short circuit.
TIRES
10/15/2005960002
 Pirelli tire failure on 1998 bmw 323ic. the tires, at least two of the four have failed.the car shakes at any speed in excess of 35 mph. i have been told that after testing on a very sophisticated machine that the tires have excessive road force problems, tire rack said pirelli will not stand behind these very expensive tires, as they only cover problems w/n the first 2/32nds of wear. my tires have 3/32nds of wear. they cannot be used at speeds in excess of 35 mph. i have been told that i will have to buy a new set of tires, this dosnt make any sense. *nm
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
09/08/2012954001
 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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - CABLES
04/05/2008102501109/05/2005
 I was backing out of a driveway, and the vehicle rpm's - on their own - suddenly increased to a very high rpm. the vehicle accelerated as i was backing up, causing me to rear end a parked car across the street. *tr