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 11 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
11 reports
165,000 miles · Jan 2, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BMW 735I. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTIFREEZE FROM THE VENTS. THE ODOR WAS VERY STRONG AND FORCED HIM TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN. INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS A FILM BUILD-UP OF ANTIFREEZE ON THE FRONT GLASS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND NO R…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BMW 735I. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT SMELLED ANTIFREEZE FROM THE VENTS. THE ODOR WAS VERY STRONG AND FORCED HIM TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN. INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS A FILM BUILD-UP OF ANTIFREEZE ON THE FRONT GLASS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
NHTSA ODI #10253562
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR RADIATOR CAP. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #884581
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
RECALL 98V178000/ RADIATOR RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED IN JUNE 1999, BUT VEHICLE OVERHEATED AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #878934
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMERS VEHICLE RECALLED UNDER RECALL (98V-178) FOR COOLING SYSTEM, DEALER REFUSED REPAIR BECAUSE THE RADIATOR WAS MELTED DOWN DUE TO THE DEFECT. NLM
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE TILTING AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. MJS
NHTSA ODI #549223
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHEN THE BRAKE WERE APPLIED AND VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #845144
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
POWER STEERING SERVO VALVE LEAKS OIL/ ENGINE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING CAR TO CRASH, CAUSING INJURY, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #705601
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
VEHICLE HAS HAD COOLING SYSTEM FAILURES CONTINUALLY ON SEVERAL COMPONENTS, RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR COOLING SYSTEM, HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO YEAR BUILT.
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 & remedy
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1988 BMW 735I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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