1988 BMW 735

2 recalls, 9 complaints - 4 TSBs

90V016000 Jan 30, 1990
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FRONT SEAT CENTER, FOLD-DOWN ARM REST MAY CONTACT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELEASE BUTTON AND PREVENTING THE BELT TONGUE FROM LATCHING WHEN BUCKLING UP.
Consequence
OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH SHORTER VERSION THAT WILL NOT CONTACT THE ARMRESTS. NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION DATE; 2/90 IS PREPARED IN DRAFT FORM.
62,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
88V135000 Aug 11, 1988
SEATS
Defect Description
THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEATBACKS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY ATTACHED TO THE SEAT BASE RECLINING ARMS (ATTACHING BRACKETS).
Consequence
THERE MAY BE LOOSENESS OF, OR NOISE IN, THE SEATBACK;ALSO, DURING A SEVERE REAR IMPACT, SEATBACK MIGHT NOT SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT.
Remedy
MANUALLY SEAT THE SEATBACK ON THE BASE.
8,187 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

9 total complaints 4 crashes 2 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
STEERING1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
TIRES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 4, 2012
Incident date: Dec 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BMW 735 I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT T... Read more
TIRES Sep 23, 2000
Incident date: Jul 26, 2000
REAR PIRELLI TIRE BLEW BLEWOUT WHILE GOING 65MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES & DAMAGES. TIRES WERE AFTERMARKET & HAD ONLY 1,000 MILES. TIRE SIZE P245/45WR17. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S COST. DOT XTCBXKAW259. *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Jan 31, 2000
DEFECTIVE COOLING SYSTEM CAUSED RADIATOR TO MELT AND WATER PUMP TO FAIL. YH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Aug 10, 1999
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE ENGINE TOOK OFF, AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN APPLIED. CAR WENT THROUGH A GATE AND A BACKYARD. OWNER HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN. *AK
Crash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Apr 30, 1999
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
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Jul 29, 1998
Incident date: Jul 26, 1998
CONSUMER'S WIFE ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE WHEN IT ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, INJURING CONSUMER'S WIFE. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT SEEMED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. *AK VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *SLC
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jul 29, 1998
Incident date: Jul 26, 1998
CONSUMER'S WIFE ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE WHEN IT ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, INJURING CONSUMER'S WIFE. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT SEEMED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. *AK VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *SLC
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL May 28, 1998
Incident date: Apr 20, 1998
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT REASON. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK
STEERING Aug 18, 1995
Incident date: Jun 1, 1995
STEERING WHEN COMING AROUND CORNERS LOSS OF STEERING BINDING LOSS OF POWER. TT

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 BMW 735

4 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
062300 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS1
072200 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
110794(4089) Dec 1, 1994
062300 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
NEW RADIATOR COOLANT HOSES. *TW
130792(3700) Aug 1, 1993
072200 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FEED FUEL HOSES UPDATE. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW 735

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE91151 Opened: Dec 6, 1991 , Closed: Apr 30, 1992
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1988
STEERING LOCK-UPS
There is no summary currently available

BMW 735 - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 735 across all model years (1985, 1993).

13 Total Recalls
30 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
6 Reported Crashes
0 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 735 - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
1998 0 3 View
1997 0 1 View
1993 1 0 View
1992 1 2 View
1991 2 7 View
1990 2 3 View
1989 2 1 View
1988 (current) 2 9
1987 1 0 View
1986 1 2 View
1985 1 2 View

Other BMW Models

Model Recalls Complaints
X5 223 4,349 View
X3 155 2,661 View
330I 122 1,050 View
X6 110 293 View
328I 108 3,743 View
M3 95 550 View
325I 83 1,809 View
Z4 83 1,439 View