1988 BMW M3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
2
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1988 BMW M3
The 1988 BMW M3 has received a total of 2 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE. The most commonly reported problem area is the Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1988 BMW M3
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1988 BMW M3, potentially affecting up to 375,000 vehicles.
Recall 93V015000 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
| 375,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 BMW M3
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 BMW M3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #93V015000 INDICATES THIS VEHICLE IS PART OF A RECALL, YET WHEN I CALLED THE BMWNA SERVICE REP. (800-525-7417) THEY SAID MY VEHICLE ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL. MY CAR EXHIBITS ALL THE SIGNS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. IT HAS WHITE COOLANT RESIDUE AROUND ALL THE COOLANT HOSES AND THE RADIATOR SEAMS. I FEAR THAT THERE MAY BE A LEAK AT ANY TIME. THIS HAS EXISTED FOR SOMETIME BUT UNTIL I READ THE RECALL NOTICE I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED IN 1991 FOR LEAKAGE. BUT THE WHITE RESIDUE REAPPEARED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER.
WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO FAILURE OF COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT. *DSH
Safety Rating for the 1988 BMW M3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 BMW M3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 BMW M3
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 BMW M3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW M3
- 1988 BMW M3 (current)
- 1989 BMW M3 — 0 complaints
- 1990 BMW M3 — 0 complaints
- 1991 BMW M3 — 0 complaints
- 1992 BMW M3 — 0 complaints
- 1993 BMW M3 — 0 complaints