1998 BMW M ROADSTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
22
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER
The 1998 BMW M ROADSTER has received a total of 22 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structureframe And Members (11 complaints), Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit (2 complaints), and Structurebody (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER
22 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structureframe And Members | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
I DID A QUICK SEARCH OF THE NHTSA DATABASE AND HAVE FOUND APPROX. 60 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAFETY ISSUE. I'M QUITE SURPRISED THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT SANCTIONED BMW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BEING INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND BEING ADVISED TO CHECK FOR IT, I FOUND THAT THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT TO THE SUB-FRAME HAD TORN LOOSE, AND THE SUB-FRAME AND MOUNT WERE BOTH BEGINNING TO TEAR. HAD I NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM IN TIME, THE DIFFERENTIAL WOULD HAVE SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE CAR (AS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS).
I DID A QUICK SEARCH OF THE NHTSA DATABASE AND HAVE FOUND APPROX. 60 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAFETY ISSUE. I'M QUITE SURPRISED THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT SANCTIONED BMW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BEING INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND BEING ADVISED TO CHECK FOR IT, I FOUND THAT THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT TO THE SUB-FRAME HAD TORN LOOSE, AND THE SUB-FRAME AND MOUNT WERE BOTH BEGINNING TO TEAR. HAD I NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM IN TIME, THE DIFFERENTIAL WOULD HAVE SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE CAR (AS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS).
RATTLING NOISE FROM BACK OF VEHICLE. LOCAL SHOP REPLACED WORN EXHAUST BRACKET; DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. SHOP LOOKED MORE CLOSELY AT CAR AND SAW CRACKS IN DIFFERENTIAL BRACKET AND CRACKS IN REAR SUBFRAME. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL FRAME SHOP AND THEY ALSO SAW POPPED TACK WELDS. QUOTED $1800 TO FIX. ADVISED CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. I SAW THE CRACKS AND I AM INCLINED TO BELIEVE THEM. CAR CREAKS, GROANS, AND RATTLES A LOT WHEN BEING DRIVEN. *TR
MY 1998 BMW M ROADSTER, WITH UNDER 71,000 MILES, IS SHOWING SIGNS OF REAR SUBFRAME FAILURE. I AM AWARE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OF THEM THAT WERE DRIVEN HARD ON TRACKS, BUT THIS CAR HAS BEEN USED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY FOR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO/FROM WORK AND BETWEEN CHATTANOOGA AND ATLANTA. AFTER RECENTLY HEARING SOME MORE RATTLING FROM THE REAR, I'VE LIFTED THE TRUNK MAT AND FOUND THE TELL-TALE SIGN: POPPING SPOT-WELDS. I'M NOT SURE HOW SEVERE IT IS AT THIS POINT, AND AS A STUDENT, I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP OR OTHER SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED YET, BUT IT WILL BECOME A SEVERE PROBLEM, AND I HAVE HEARD THAT BMW IS UNLIKELY TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. I WOULD LIKE ANY ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER. *TR
MY BMW M ROADSTER HAS SUSTAINED A MASSIVE CHASSIS AND SUBFRAME FAILURE MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND INOPERABLE. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
620798 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INSTALLATION OF VOLTMETER. *YC
61 11 98 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
INFORMATION ON INSTALLING CABLE STRAPS ON BATTERY CABLE. *TT
65 11 98 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INFORMATION ON THE NEW BMW REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SECURITY SYSTEM KIT. *YC
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 BMW M ROADSTER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW M ROADSTER
- 1998 BMW M ROADSTER (current)
- 1999 BMW M ROADSTER — 24 complaints
- 2000 BMW M ROADSTER — 29 complaints
- 2001 BMW M ROADSTER — 6 complaints
- 2002 BMW M ROADSTER — 6 complaints