Car Problem DataNHTSA records

1998 BMW 5 Series

Routine

No owner complaints are on file for this vehicle. It has been recalled 2 times.

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2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting19E058000
Filed Aug 28, 2019614 vehiclesZF North America, Inc.

Defect. ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.

Risk. If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E023000
Filed Mar 13, 2006292,000 vehiclesAnzo USA, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20230100Routine
201210000Routine
201181420Routine
20106500Routine
20098400Routine
2008105430Routine
200713400Routine
200685820Routine
200521510Routine
200464890Routine
200315210Routine
20027210Routine
20013200Routine
20002200Routine
19992100Routine
1998 — this page0200Routine
19971300Routine
19960300Routine
19953300Routine
19940300Routine
19930300Routine
19920300Routine
19910200Routine
19900200Routine

Compare every 5 Series year →

Other BMW models

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Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 28, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.