Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (38.6% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Air Bags complaints here are 6.3× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 78 · 38.6% | Recalled | Recall 08V384000 |
| Electrical System | 31 · 15.3% | not available | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 30 · 14.9% | Recalled | Recall 08V384000 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 24 · 11.9% | not available | — |
| Steering | 23 · 11.4% | not available | — |
| Seats | 12 · 5.9% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 202 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 08V384000 · 2008 · reported 08/05/2008
IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12E029000 · 2012 · reported 08/10/2012
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06V400000 · 2006 · reported 10/18/2006
THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD BREAK WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 22V119000 · 2022 · reported 03/02/2022
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF MY 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. I'VE DRIVEN IT FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND ONE DAY I GO TO START…”NHTSA complaint 10478758 — filed 10/05/2012 · AIR BAGS
“A WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. AT FIRST IT WAS OCCASIONAL. NOW THE WARNING IS ON…”NHTSA complaint 10477171 — filed 09/26/2012 · AIR BAGS
“THE TWO ISSUES ARE (1) AIRBAG MALFUNCTION AND (2) STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION. (1) THE FIRST ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON CA I-80 TOWARDS…”NHTSA complaint 10473122 — filed 08/31/2012 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 78 of 202 NHTSA complaints (38.6%), followed by electrical system (31), air bags:frontal (30), latches/locks/linkages (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
202 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08V384000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
