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 (40.6% of complaints) — is covered by 5 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 5.6× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 209 · 40.6% | Recalled | Recall 20V017000 · Recall 17V428000 · Recall 14V428000 · Recall 13V564000 · Recall 24V513000 |
| Electrical System | 80 · 15.5% | Recalled | Recall 17V676000 |
| Engine | 50 · 9.7% | Recalled | Recall 19V273000 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 43 · 8.3% | not available | — |
| Steering | 39 · 7.6% | not available | — |
| Seat Belts | 38 · 7.4% | 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 515 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 19V273000 · 2019 · reported 04/04/2019
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 20V017000 · 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 17V428000 · 2017 · reported 07/06/2017
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V676000 · 2017 · reported 10/25/2017
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended. 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 13V564000 · 2013 · reported 11/12/2013
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 24V513000 · 2024 · reported 07/03/2024
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
“WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. BMW SAYS THERE WAS A RECALL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY…”NHTSA complaint 10397761 — filed 04/22/2011 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10393047 — filed 03/28/2011 · AIR BAGS
“I HAVE A 2006 BMW 325I SEDAN WITH SPORTS SEATS THAT FAILED THE SEATBELT WARNING SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE "OCCUPANCY…”NHTSA complaint 10354914 — filed 09/10/2010 · 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 209 of 515 NHTSA complaints (40.6%), followed by electrical system (80), engine (50), latches/locks/linkages (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
515 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 21 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V273000. 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.
