Menu

1988 BMW 735Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 1988 BMW 735, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints84 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 4, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 BMW 735 has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags21
Vehicle speed control22
Electrical system10
Engine and engine cooling10
Steering10
Tires10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 BMW 735 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 90V-016 · Jan 30, 1990 · 62,000 vehicles

Risk. OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 88V-135 · Aug 11, 1988 · 8,187 vehicles

Risk. THERE MAY BE LOOSENESS OF, OR NOISE IN, THE SEATBACK;ALSO, DURING A SEVERE REAR IMPACT, SEATBACK MIGHT NOT SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other 735 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 735 median. How we score

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'97'98
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 BMW 735, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEATER CORE FAILUREEA92017 · closed Mar 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-015
  2. STEERING LOCK-UPSPE91151 · closed Apr 30, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What 735 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN WHICH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 837287 · Apr 30, 1999

Own a 1988 735?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.