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 (41.5% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 4.9× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 61 · 41.5% | Recalled | Recall 20V018000 · Recall 14V428000 · Recall 15V318000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 43 · 29.3% | Recalled | Recall 11V438000 |
| Electrical System | 20 · 13.6% | not available | — |
| Engine | 6 · 4.1% | not available | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 · 2.7% | not available | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 · 2.7% | 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 147 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 20V018000 · 2020 · reported 01/15/2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V428000 · 2014 · reported 06/11/2018
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V318000 · 2015 · reported 05/28/2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V438000 · 2011 · reported 08/26/2011
INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E023000 · 2007 · reported 03/29/2007
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 15V31800 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS NEEDED…”NHTSA complaint 11035226 — filed 10/20/2017 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. RECALL 15V-318 AND 14V-428 ARE RECALLS THAT I CANNOT GET REPAIRED. I HAVE CALLED CUSTOMER RELATIONS TWICE WITHOUT A RESPONSE. I HAVE CALLED…”NHTSA complaint 11019054 — filed 08/23/2017 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000…”NHTSA complaint 10986054 — filed 05/16/2017 · 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 61 of 147 NHTSA complaints (41.5%), followed by exterior lighting (43), electrical system (20), engine (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
147 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V018000. 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.
