Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
26 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
113,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1977 to 2002 model years. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 26 complaints (11.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 11.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 25 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 1; 1997: 2; 1999: 8; 2000: 1; 2001: 10; 2002: 1; 2012: 1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY VIBRATES AND LUNGES FORWARD. PRIOR TO THESE EVENTS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOSS OF POWER, TACHOMETER ENTERS THE RED ZONE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WHINES. DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 523807 at NHTSA ↗
THIS IS 2ND FAILED TRANSMISSION IN 58577 MILES. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APPROX 21000 AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY BMW. CREVIER BMW WAS INFORMED OF PROBLEMS WITH 2ND TRANSMISSION MAY 2000 AND STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THOUGH MADE NOTE OF ISSUE. ON JUNE 17, 2001 TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAR TOWED TO SAVAGE BMW, ONTARIO CA, WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED FAILED TRANSMISSION. STATED CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THOUGH WOULD CONTACT BMW CORPORATE. I FIND IT INCONCEIVABLE THAT A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747004 at NHTSA ↗
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A DITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973803 at NHTSA ↗
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING WHICH WORSENS AS TIME PROGRESSES. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976947 at NHTSA ↗
WHILE DOING 55 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY MY VEHICLE ENGAGED THE BRAKES ON IT'S OWN BRINGING US TO A SCREACHING, SKIDDING STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING WITH YOUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE YAW RATE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE MERCEDES IS NOT RECALLING THIS VEHICLES TO BE FIXED WITH SUCH A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING THIS CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471685 at NHTSA ↗
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1989: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
26 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1989 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 330.0%ODI 746659THIS IS AN ACKNOWLEDEGED PROBLEM FROM BMW. THE MANUFACTURER HAS CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY MANY OF US ARE BEING LEFT STRANDED WHEN THE PROBLEM SURFACES. EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS ACKNOWLEDGED BMW DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE BMW NEEDS TO BE CONTACTED AND FORCED TO OFFICIALLY ISSUE A RECALL ON THE 3.0 LITER ENGINES. *AK | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 330.0%ODI 746628VEHICLE COOLING FAN FAILED, MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FAN, MADE BY SIEMENS IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY ALL VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THIS DEFECT. WILL CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE STRANDED DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 523807VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY VIBRATES AND LUNGES FORWARD. PRIOR TO THESE EVENTS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOSS OF POWER, TACHOMETER ENTERS THE RED ZONE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WHINES. DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. | 116.7%ODI 747004THIS IS 2ND FAILED TRANSMISSION IN 58577 MILES. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APPROX 21000 AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY BMW. CREVIER BMW WAS INFORMED OF PROBLEMS WITH 2ND TRANSMISSION MAY 2000 AND STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THOUGH MADE NOTE OF ISSUE. ON JUNE 17, 2001 TRANSMISSION FAILED AND CAR TOWED TO SAVAGE BMW, ONTARIO CA, WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED FAILED TRANSMISSION. STATED CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THOUGH WOULD CONTACT BMW CORPORATE. I FIND IT INCONCEIVABLE THAT A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY … | 150.0% | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 976947STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING WHICH WORSENS AS TIME PROGRESSES. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility:Windshield | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 978075POOR ILLUMINATION OF HEAD LIGHTS. APARENTLY CASTS OFF DARK SHADOWS. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 110.0% | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 746692VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 606676FUSE BLEW CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS / TAIL LIGHTS / REAR SIDE LIGHT BULB TO FAIL. *YC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 10471685 · 113,000 miWHILE DOING 55 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY MY VEHICLE ENGAGED THE BRAKES ON IT'S OWN BRINGING US TO A SCREACHING, SKIDDING STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING WITH YOUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE YAW RATE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE MERCEDES IS NOT RECALLING THIS VEHICLES TO BE FIXED WITH SUCH A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING THIS CAR. *TR | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Too few reports for a range | 113,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10471685 · 113,000 miWHILE DOING 55 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY MY VEHICLE ENGAGED THE BRAKES ON IT'S OWN BRINGING US TO A SCREACHING, SKIDDING STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING WITH YOUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE YAW RATE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE MERCEDES IS NOT RECALLING THIS VEHICLES TO BE FIXED WITH SUCH A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING THIS CAR. *TR |
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2001: 8 complaints · 2002: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Visibility:Windshield | Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
2 patterns with matching reports.
1 mentions · 3.8% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY VIBRATES AND LUNGES FORWARD. PRIOR TO THESE EVENTS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOSS OF POWER, TACHOMETER ENTERS THE RED ZONE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WHINES. DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b1 mentions · 3.8% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A DITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b