Skip to content
AnyRecalls

Vehicle recall 98V178000 · August 4, 1998

BMW 735i, 735IA and 34 more models

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary
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
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.
Notes
Owner notification began March 31, 1999. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Recall details

NHTSA campaign
98V178000
Reported to NHTSA
August 4, 1998
Filed by
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Owner notification
March 31, 1999
Vehicles potentially affected
340,000
Initiated by
the manufacturer
Components
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Recall 98V178000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Has your BMW been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A BMW dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.