1998 BMW M3 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 14%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 BMW M3, 14% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Problem1: rear defogger not working. Checked the system, fuses okay, voltage correctly supplied to rear window heating contacts. Heating elements in the window itself are failing. Afety issue: no visibility through the rear window when fogged. Problem2: automatic environmental controls are quitting erratically leaving driver without windshield defogger, air blower, heating or air conditioning. Car has no safety default or manual override option. Safety issues: occupants can get frost bites or freeze to death in harsh winter conditions or suffer from heat stroke during hot weather. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100076, filed 2004-11, 70,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 1998 BMW M3
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 BMW M3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology