1998 BMW 328I Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 154,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 BMW 328I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 328I. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and brakes (4). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 154,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system5 19%
- Air bags4 15%
- Brakes4 15%
- Fuel system3 12%
- Engine cooling2 7.7%
- Suspension2 7.7%
- Exterior lighting1 3.9%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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 .”
NHTSA complaint #10537145, filed 2013-08, 165,000 milesAir bags: “The side air bag failed to deploy out the air bag door cover, when the vehicle hit a curb on rainy night, instead the air bag deployed down the door and blew off the entire door panel. Injures were caused as a result of the door trim which flew off and hit the passenger in the ribs. Photos attached. A field engineer took photos and the vehicle was being used in a training session being held there.”
NHTSA complaint #10039864, filed 2003-09Brakes: “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 .”
NHTSA complaint #10495249, filed 2013-01, 186,000 milesFuel system: “Fuel sensors failed. Gas gauge showed fuel but car ran out of gas at freeway speed in rushhour traffic. Fues sensors have been replaced 5 times. Thus, I drive my car by the trip odometer and not the fuel gauge.Bmw states problem is due to gas is california. Bmw states not a manufacturers' defect.”
NHTSA complaint #726125, filed 2000-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 66,000 and 165,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 BMW 328I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328i Convertible RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 328i Convertible RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 328i/328is RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 328i/328is RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 BMW 328I in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Other model years of the BMW 328I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 57 | 28,500 | 1 | 5 | 27 | 26 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 125 | 64,000 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 152 | 59,000 | 8 | 5 | 27 | 84 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 257 | 63,373 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 91 · More | Rising |
| 2012 | 130 | 81,000 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 65 · More | Stable |
| 2011 | 578 | 92,000 | 7 | — | 22 | 97 · More | Rising |
| 2010 | 155 | 97,500 | 6 | — | 22 | 17 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2009 | 193 | 77,000 | 6 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 239 | 89,000 | 5 | — | 21 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 399 | 80,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 112 | 109,850 | 7 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 98 | 106,400 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 26 | 154,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 25 | 78,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 31 | 88,604 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All BMW 328I model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 BMW 328I have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 328I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 BMW 328I is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.
Has the 1998 BMW 328I been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 328I get?
The EPA rates the 1998 BMW 328I (328i Convertible, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 BMW 328I reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 154,000 miles and the middle half falls between 66,000 and 165,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.