Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seats. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
91,642 miles · Nov 11, 2017
Seats
I WAS DRIVING MY BMW 735I 1985 CAR IN THE CITY AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY SEAT TOTALLY WENT ALL THE WAY BACK I WAS ON MY BACK LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT ANYBODY LATER ON I LOOKED AT MY SEAT I SAW THE POCKET THE LEATHER POCKET ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT I GOT INTO IT I FOUND A BRACKET A BAR SUPPORT BAR THAT HOLDS THE SEAT TOGETHER TOTAL…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING MY BMW 735I 1985 CAR IN THE CITY AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW MY SEAT TOTALLY WENT ALL THE WAY BACK I WAS ON MY BACK LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT ANYBODY LATER ON I LOOKED AT MY SEAT I SAW THE POCKET THE LEATHER POCKET ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT I GOT INTO IT I FOUND A BRACKET A BAR SUPPORT BAR THAT HOLDS THE SEAT TOGETHER TOTALLY SNAPPED IN HALF I HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE SEAT AND REPLACE IT I'VE HAD NO LUCK AT ALL AND GETTING ANYTHING THAT WILL WORK THE SEATS ARE CONSIDERED BUFFALO SEATS THAT'S THE STYLE IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE I HAVE THINGS PROPPED UP BEHIND THE SEAT TO HOLD THE SEAT UP I CAN'T USE MY CONTROLLERS TO ADJUST THE SEAT BECAUSE THE MAIN BRACKET IS TOTALLY SNAPPED IN HALF IF I DO GET AN ACCIDENT I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH A WINDOW
NHTSA ODI #11045359
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2003
Tires
VEHICLE'S LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. *MR WHEN THE TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE ANOTHER MOTORIST TRIED TO AVOID HITTING THE TIRE BUT INSTEAD RAN ONTO THE MEDIAN HAD MINOR BUMPER DAMAGE. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED HOURS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS CHANGED. *JB
INCORRECT MACHINING OF THE SEATING SURFACE OF THE WHEELS WHERE IT CONTACTS THE HUB OF THE CAR MAY PREVENT THE WHEELS FROM MOUNTING SECURELY TO THE HUB. THIS MAY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO BREAK AND COULD FALL OFF. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE WHEELS COULD LOOSEN AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR. OWNERS SHOULD NOT DRIVE THEIR CARS UNTIL REPAIR WORK HAS BEEN DONE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: SCRAPE THE CENTER BORE OF THE RIM SO IT CAN CLEAR THE CENTER OF THE HUB.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
EA92017 · Heater Core Failure
Opened Jun 2, 1992 · Closed Mar 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
EA90002 · Mstr Cyl Fails To Release
Opened Oct 12, 1989 · Closed Oct 30, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA89007 · Brake Light Switch
Opened Dec 23, 1988 · Closed Jul 26, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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PE88086 · Brake Light Switch Failure
Opened Aug 2, 1988 · Closed Dec 23, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
1985 BMW 735 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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