Skip to content
BMW M3Model year report

1998 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
71,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW M3. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and electrical system (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 71,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “The gear shift in my manual transmission, 1998 Bmw M3 (4 door), sticks under fifth gear and often I am also unable to shift into fifth gear. The issue with this is well known by Bmw of north america. The danger here is that when I want to shift into fifth gear I cannot, and more importantly, it is extremely difficult to downshift from 4th to 3rd because the gear shift naturally wants to go into fifth. This can be a very serious problem when going into a turn or needing to downshift to control engine speed rather than using brakes when conditions may be too slick to safely apply the brakes.”

NHTSA complaint #10054719, filed 2004-01, 73,000 miles

Air bags: “The dealer fix for this problem across the country has been to reset the code and say, oh, don't worry about it. Apparently its a sensor in the seat, and lots of Bmw's are having these problems. Safety system faults should not be tolerated.”

NHTSA complaint #748051, filed 2001-07

Electrical system: “Horn stopped working on 3 different occasions. Dealer attempted to remed problem. But, after 3 months horn would go out again. Last time dealer replaced the contact points. Also, half of the spoiler came off, bolts had fallen apart without warning, causing spoiler to fall off immediately while driving.”

NHTSA complaint #867613, filed 2000-08

Suspension: “1) normal vehicle operation 2) left rear strut-tower failure resulting in penetration of strut and spring and failure of rear suspension. Could have resulted in loss of control and accident. 3) repairs pending. Known issue w/ Bmw e-36's.”

NHTSA complaint #10170545, filed 2006-10, 66,590 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 66,590 and 82,943 miles.

17%0–100%10–250%25–5050%50–7517%75–10017%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 71,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

199819992000200120043200520062008
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 BMW M3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M3 RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed manual182621$3,200
M3 RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172620$3,350
M3 Convertible RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed manual182621$3,200
M3 Convertible RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152318$3,700

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

Recall details for the 1998 BMW M3 → · Check a 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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.

Other model years of the BMW M3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2018910,7500—20—Not enough data
2016520,0003—20—Not enough data
20131324,0002—16—Not enough data
2012624,6003—16—Not enough data
20113143,3004—160 · FewerFalling
20101556,0004—16—Rising
2009454,0005—1650 · TypicalFalling
20088215,0005—1660 · TypicalRising
20061475,0005—17—Not enough data
20051285,0003—17—Not enough data
20043177,9943—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20035470,7505—17Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20024077,5005—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20011454,0004—17—Not enough data
19991161,8001—20—Not enough data
19981471,5001—21—Not enough data
199719—2—21—Stable
19951244,4224—20—Not enough data

All BMW M3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.

Has the 1998 BMW M3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 BMW M3 (M3, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 71,500 miles and the middle half falls between 66,590 and 82,943 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.