1989 BMW 735i recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
What could happen: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 735I.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V178000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (7), Electrical system (4), Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/05/2001 · Engine
PRIOR TO RECALL #98V178 CONSUMER HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM, CONSUMER STATES ENGINE WENT OUT DUE TO AN OVERHEATED SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IT WAS THEN REPAIRED AND LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER THE SYSTEM OVERHEATED AGAIN, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM, AS RECENT AS JUNE 2001…
07/05/2001 · Engine
PRIOR TO RECALL #98V178 CONSUMER HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM, CONSUMER STATES ENGINE WENT OUT DUE TO AN OVERHEATED SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IT WAS THEN REPAIRED AND LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER THE SYSTEM OVERHEATED AGAIN, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM, AS RECENT AS JUNE 2001…
09/12/2000 · Engine
THERMOSTAT BROKE AND BLEW A HOSE/HEATER DEVELOPED A CRACK, AND THIS FOGGED UP THE WINDOW. CONSUMER COULDN'T SEE. ALSO, ANTIFREEZE SMELL WAS IN THE CABIN, AND WATER PUMP BROKE. *AK
07/26/1999 · Electrical system
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, REPAIRS COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL CAUSING SHORTING OUT OF COMPONENTS AND VEHICLE STALLING. MJS
07/26/1999 · Engine
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STALLING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REPLACEMENT OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR & CONTROL UNIT TO RECTIFY PROBLEMS. MJS
07/26/1999 · Brakes
BRAKES ROTORS AND PADS FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MJS
07/26/1999 · Engine
ENGINE CONTINUALLY OVERHEATING AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF SEVERAL COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENTS, COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS DUE TO OVERHEATING, RECALL ON COMPONENT HOWEVER EXPERIENCED FAILURES PRIOR TO NOTICE (98V-178). MJS
07/26/1999 · Electrical system
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED ELECTRICAL FAILURES, REPAIRS COMPLETED SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL CAUSING SHORTING OUT OF COMPONENTS AND VEHICLE STALLING. MJS