FaultScore

FaultScore report

1998 BMW 323I problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 1998 BMW 323I with NHTSA between 1999 and 2019. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.

B

FaultScore 33/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 323I.

How this is worked out

The numbers

27

Complaints

10

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

7

Injuries reported

102,501 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 6 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 6
Against the median year of the BMW 323I. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
66.7% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1998 compares with every other BMW 323I

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1998 BMW 323I

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 11 40.7%

8 crashes, 1 fires · median 134,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 3 11.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 70,000 mi

Other & Unspecified 2 7.4%
Fuel & Propulsion 2 7.4%
Lights 2 7.4%

Median failure at 123,200 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 2 7.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 98,950 mi

Body & Structure 2 7.4%
Stability & Traction Control 1 3.7%

Median failure at 151,000 miles

Tires 1 3.7%

Median failure at 96,000 miles

Brakes 1 3.7%

Median failure at 95,400 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 15.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 4 30.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 30.8%
150,000+ miles 3 23.1%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jun 1999 peak 6 Feb 2019

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Spring, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

REPORT#2:06/08/1999, MY LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER,CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN. I REGAINED MY CORRECT DRIVING PATH. TO AVOID ADDITIONAL COLLISIONS, I DEPARTED THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT NON-CURBED WET GRASSY ROADSIDE. TO AVOID STRIKING A WOOD TELEPHONE OR ELECTRICAL POLE, I TURNED SHARPLY RIGHT. I FIRMLY BRAKED & MY CAR SLID ON WET GRASS, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, MAKING FRONTAL LOW IMPACT WITH A BRICK ROADSIDE WALL. MY CAR FORTUNATELY HAD A AUTOMATIC FRONT SEAT-BELTING SYSTEM FOR MY CLOSED-TOP CONVERTBLE. MY 2 DAUGHTER PASSENGERS & I WERE ALL SEAT-BELTED. MY 10 YRS OLD, IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT & MY 4 YR OLD WAS IN THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SEAT, DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. WE WERE ALL STARTLED BY THE EVENT. I COULD SEE MY DAUGHTER TO MY RIGHT SIDE WAS UNHARMED. KNOWING WE WOULD ALL NEED TO SOON EXIT THE CAR & I WOULD NEED TO ASSIST MY YOUNGEST, I UNBUCKLED MY SEATBELT. I NEXT TURNED MYSELF TO THE RIGHT, TO CHECK ON MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, BEHIND ME. I SAW SHE WAS OK. I NEXT HEARD A LOUD POP IN FRONT OF ME, SO I TURNED FORWARD TO SEE A SMALL RECTANGULAR PLASTIC PILLOW FILLING WITH AIR. I REALIZED IT MUST BE THE AIRBAG. NEXT I FELT A EXTREME PAINFUL, FORCEFUL BLOW AGAINST MY FACE & UPPER CHEST. THE AIRBAG OVER-AGGRESSIVELY DEPLOYED LATE. THE OVER-AGGRESSIVE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG CAUSED ME TO SUFFER A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, WITH A CURRENT LIFE-THREATENING BRAIN LESION. MY 2 MANDIBLES JAWS WERE EA.BROKEN IN 4 PLACES, REQUIRING 8 PERM. DENTAL PINS. EVERY BONE IN MY FACE WAS BROKEN, REQUIRING TITANIUM PLATE PLACEMENT OVER THE BROKEN BONES. MY SKULL-TOP HAD TO BE CUT OPEN TO RELIEVE THE INCREASED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE. I TECHNICALLY DIED DUE TO MY LUNGS COLLAPSING AND EART-STOPPED DURING THE LIFE-FLIGHT HELICOPTER TRANSPORT, WHICH THE EMTS REVIVED ME FOR MY NEARLY ONE MONTH HOSPITAL RECOVERY & REHABILITATION. MY AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *DT

NHTSA complaint #11173949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring, TX Crash Fire 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BMW 323I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE MOVED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL AT THE CENTER OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRAIN LESION, THE FACIAL BONE WAS FRACTURED, THE RIGHT EYE SOCKET HAD TO BE REBUILT, THE UPPER LIP WAS NUMB, 21 TEETH WERE DAMAGED, ALL THE WISDOM TEETH WERE EXTRACTED, THE UPPER AND LOWER JAW BONES WERE FRACTURED, THE VISION AND HEARING WERE AFFECTED, AND THERE WAS MEMORY LOSS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-525-7417 AND ASKED THE CONTACT TO CALL 281-305-8901. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NUMBER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF UPDATED 9/18/18

NHTSA complaint #11054285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

A DRIVER, ON A 5 LANE ST, IN A CENTER TURN LANE, DRIVING THE SAME DIRECTION AS MYSELF STRUCK MY CAR ON IT'S LEFT-SIDE, CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN. ATTEMPTING TO AVOID FURTHER INJURY IN EARLY AM TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY VEER TO THE FAR RIGHT AT A REDUCED SPEED OF 3 MPH, AND COULD NOT STOP ENOUGH TO PREVENT COLLISION WITH A STATIONARY BRICK WALL. I REMEMBER MAKING IMPACT AND THE AIRBAG POPPING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LIKE A SMALL PILLOW, THEN SUDDENLY ERUPTING WITH PAINFUL MAGNIFICENT FORCE THROWING BY HEAD AND CHEST BACK, THEN MY FALLING TO THE RIGHT-SIDE ARM-REST. I MANAGED TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT, AND MURMUR AS BEST I COULD TO MY TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR WITH ME, TO GET MY CELL PHONE, GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND CALL THEIR FATHER. FORTUNATELY, A WITNESS CALLED 911 AND POLICE AND A LIFE-FLIGHT HELICOPTER ARRIVED TO EXTRACT ME FROM THE TOTALED CAR AND FLY ME UNCONSCIOUS TO A LOCAL TRAUMA HOSPITAL. I WAS ASSESSED AND IT WAS FOUND EVERY BONE IN MY FACE WAS BROKEN, THE FUMES OF THE AIRBAG CAUSED MY LUNG TO COLLAPSE, ME TO 'CODE', REQUIRING SHOCK EPINEPHRINE AND ELECTRICAL SHOCKING TO REVIVE MY BREATHING. I REQUIRED TOTAL FACIAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY WITH TITANIUM PLATES PLACED OVER BROKEN BONES IN MY FACE, AND DENTAL PINS IN 4 PLACES OF MY BROKEN UPPER AND LOWER JAWBONES. MY TEETH WERE CHIPPED/BROKEN AND LATER NEEDED EXTENSIVE VENEERS AND DENTAL REPAIRS. I SUFFERED MEMORY LOSS WHICH HAS CEASED M6 CAREER AS A REGISTERED NURSE. WE TOOK BMW, THE DRIVER, AND TAKA TO COURT 6 YEARS LATER, BUT TAKATA DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY $2.7 MILLION IN EXPENSES. THE DRIVER WAS SOLELY FOUND AT FAULT. I JUST REC'D A CARD ABOUT TAKATA'S GUILT. MY ATTORNEY HAS NOW RETIRED. I AM ATTEMPTING TO FIND RELATED DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS FOR MY SUBSTANTIAL COSTLY INJURIES MANY YEARS SINCE THIS OCCURRED. THIS AIRBAG'S MAL-DEPLOYMENT HAS IMMENSELY ALTERED MY LIFE BEYOND WORDS HERE. ...UPDATED 11/17/17 *BF *TR *DT

NHTSA complaint #11045158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring, TX Crash 1 injured

ENGINE

A DRIVER, ON A 5 LANE ST, IN A CENTER TURN LANE, DRIVING THE SAME DIRECTION AS MYSELF STRUCK MY CAR ON IT'S LEFT-SIDE, CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN. ATTEMPTING TO AVOID FURTHER INJURY IN EARLY AM TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY VEER TO THE FAR RIGHT AT A REDUCED SPEED OF 3 MPH, AND COULD NOT STOP ENOUGH TO PREVENT COLLISION WITH A STATIONARY BRICK WALL. I REMEMBER MAKING IMPACT AND THE AIRBAG POPPING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LIKE A SMALL PILLOW, THEN SUDDENLY ERUPTING WITH PAINFUL MAGNIFICENT FORCE THROWING BY HEAD AND CHEST BACK, THEN MY FALLING TO THE RIGHT-SIDE ARM-REST. I MANAGED TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT, AND MURMUR AS BEST I COULD TO MY TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR WITH ME, TO GET MY CELL PHONE, GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND CALL THEIR FATHER. FORTUNATELY, A WITNESS CALLED 911 AND POLICE AND A LIFE-FLIGHT HELICOPTER ARRIVED TO EXTRACT ME FROM THE TOTALED CAR AND FLY ME UNCONSCIOUS TO A LOCAL TRAUMA HOSPITAL. I WAS ASSESSED AND IT WAS FOUND EVERY BONE IN MY FACE WAS BROKEN, THE FUMES OF THE AIRBAG CAUSED MY LUNG TO COLLAPSE, ME TO 'CODE', REQUIRING SHOCK EPINEPHRINE AND ELECTRICAL SHOCKING TO REVIVE MY BREATHING. I REQUIRED TOTAL FACIAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY WITH TITANIUM PLATES PLACED OVER BROKEN BONES IN MY FACE, AND DENTAL PINS IN 4 PLACES OF MY BROKEN UPPER AND LOWER JAWBONES. MY TEETH WERE CHIPPED/BROKEN AND LATER NEEDED EXTENSIVE VENEERS AND DENTAL REPAIRS. I SUFFERED MEMORY LOSS WHICH HAS CEASED M6 CAREER AS A REGISTERED NURSE. WE TOOK BMW, THE DRIVER, AND TAKA TO COURT 6 YEARS LATER, BUT TAKATA DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY $2.7 MILLION IN EXPENSES. THE DRIVER WAS SOLELY FOUND AT FAULT. I JUST REC'D A CARD ABOUT TAKATA'S GUILT. MY ATTORNEY HAS NOW RETIRED. I AM ATTEMPTING TO FIND RELATED DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS FOR MY SUBSTANTIAL COSTLY INJURIES MANY YEARS SINCE THIS OCCURRED. THIS AIRBAG'S MAL-DEPLOYMENT HAS IMMENSELY ALTERED MY LIFE BEYOND WORDS HERE. ...UPDATED 11/17/17 *BF *TR *DT

NHTSA complaint #11045158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Detroit, MI Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I HAVE A 1998BMW 323IS AND I RECENTLY MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY 9/13/2009. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT CRASHED VERY BADLY. THE WHOLE FRONT PORTION IS GONE AND CAR IS REUSABLE. WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAG(DRIVERS SIDE) JUST CAMEOUT1/2. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS IN A CRASH?HOW CAN I TRUST CARS IN THE CRASH?

NHTSA complaint #10284468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Detroit, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

I HAVE A 1998BMW 323IS AND I RECENTLY MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY 9/13/2009. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT CRASHED VERY BADLY. THE WHOLE FRONT PORTION IS GONE AND CAR IS REUSABLE. WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAG(DRIVERS SIDE) JUST CAMEOUT1/2. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS IN A CRASH?HOW CAN I TRUST CARS IN THE CRASH?

NHTSA complaint #10284468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Spring, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

REPORT#2:06/08/1999, MY LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER DRIVER,CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN. I REGAINED MY CORRECT DRIVING PATH. TO AVOID ADDITIONAL COLLISIONS, I DEPARTED THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT NON-CURBED WET GRASSY ROADSIDE. TO AVOID STRIKING A WOOD TELEPHONE OR ELECTRICAL POLE, I TURNED SHARPLY RIGHT. I FIRMLY BRAKED & MY CAR SLID ON WET GRASS, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, MAKING FRONTAL LOW IMPACT WITH A BRICK ROADSIDE WALL. MY CAR FORTUNATELY HAD A AUTOMATIC FRONT SEAT-BELTING SYSTEM FOR MY CLOSED-TOP CONVERTBLE. MY 2 DAUGHTER PASSENGERS & I WERE ALL SEAT-BELTED. MY 10 YRS OLD, IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT & MY 4 YR OLD WAS IN THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SEAT, DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. WE WERE ALL STARTLED BY THE EVENT. I COULD SEE MY DAUGHTER TO MY RIGHT SIDE WAS UNHARMED. KNOWING WE WOULD ALL NEED TO SOON EXIT THE CAR & I WOULD NEED TO ASSIST MY YOUNGEST, I UNBUCKLED MY SEATBELT. I NEXT TURNED MYSELF TO THE RIGHT, TO CHECK ON MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, BEHIND ME. I SAW SHE WAS OK. I NEXT HEARD A LOUD POP IN FRONT OF ME, SO I TURNED FORWARD TO SEE A SMALL RECTANGULAR PLASTIC PILLOW FILLING WITH AIR. I REALIZED IT MUST BE THE AIRBAG. NEXT I FELT A EXTREME PAINFUL, FORCEFUL BLOW AGAINST MY FACE & UPPER CHEST. THE AIRBAG OVER-AGGRESSIVELY DEPLOYED LATE. THE OVER-AGGRESSIVE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG CAUSED ME TO SUFFER A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, WITH A CURRENT LIFE-THREATENING BRAIN LESION. MY 2 MANDIBLES JAWS WERE EA.BROKEN IN 4 PLACES, REQUIRING 8 PERM. DENTAL PINS. EVERY BONE IN MY FACE WAS BROKEN, REQUIRING TITANIUM PLATE PLACEMENT OVER THE BROKEN BONES. MY SKULL-TOP HAD TO BE CUT OPEN TO RELIEVE THE INCREASED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE. I TECHNICALLY DIED DUE TO MY LUNGS COLLAPSING AND EART-STOPPED DURING THE LIFE-FLIGHT HELICOPTER TRANSPORT, WHICH THE EMTS REVIVED ME FOR MY NEARLY ONE MONTH HOSPITAL RECOVERY & REHABILITATION. MY AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *DT

NHTSA complaint #11173949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring, TX Crash Fire 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 BMW 323I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE MOVED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL AT THE CENTER OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRAIN LESION, THE FACIAL BONE WAS FRACTURED, THE RIGHT EYE SOCKET HAD TO BE REBUILT, THE UPPER LIP WAS NUMB, 21 TEETH WERE DAMAGED, ALL THE WISDOM TEETH WERE EXTRACTED, THE UPPER AND LOWER JAW BONES WERE FRACTURED, THE VISION AND HEARING WERE AFFECTED, AND THERE WAS MEMORY LOSS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-525-7417 AND ASKED THE CONTACT TO CALL 281-305-8901. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NUMBER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF UPDATED 9/18/18

NHTSA complaint #11054285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

A DRIVER, ON A 5 LANE ST, IN A CENTER TURN LANE, DRIVING THE SAME DIRECTION AS MYSELF STRUCK MY CAR ON IT'S LEFT-SIDE, CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN. ATTEMPTING TO AVOID FURTHER INJURY IN EARLY AM TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY VEER TO THE FAR RIGHT AT A REDUCED SPEED OF 3 MPH, AND COULD NOT STOP ENOUGH TO PREVENT COLLISION WITH A STATIONARY BRICK WALL. I REMEMBER MAKING IMPACT AND THE AIRBAG POPPING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LIKE A SMALL PILLOW, THEN SUDDENLY ERUPTING WITH PAINFUL MAGNIFICENT FORCE THROWING BY HEAD AND CHEST BACK, THEN MY FALLING TO THE RIGHT-SIDE ARM-REST. I MANAGED TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT, AND MURMUR AS BEST I COULD TO MY TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR WITH ME, TO GET MY CELL PHONE, GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND CALL THEIR FATHER. FORTUNATELY, A WITNESS CALLED 911 AND POLICE AND A LIFE-FLIGHT HELICOPTER ARRIVED TO EXTRACT ME FROM THE TOTALED CAR AND FLY ME UNCONSCIOUS TO A LOCAL TRAUMA HOSPITAL. I WAS ASSESSED AND IT WAS FOUND EVERY BONE IN MY FACE WAS BROKEN, THE FUMES OF THE AIRBAG CAUSED MY LUNG TO COLLAPSE, ME TO 'CODE', REQUIRING SHOCK EPINEPHRINE AND ELECTRICAL SHOCKING TO REVIVE MY BREATHING. I REQUIRED TOTAL FACIAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY WITH TITANIUM PLATES PLACED OVER BROKEN BONES IN MY FACE, AND DENTAL PINS IN 4 PLACES OF MY BROKEN UPPER AND LOWER JAWBONES. MY TEETH WERE CHIPPED/BROKEN AND LATER NEEDED EXTENSIVE VENEERS AND DENTAL REPAIRS. I SUFFERED MEMORY LOSS WHICH HAS CEASED M6 CAREER AS A REGISTERED NURSE. WE TOOK BMW, THE DRIVER, AND TAKA TO COURT 6 YEARS LATER, BUT TAKATA DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY $2.7 MILLION IN EXPENSES. THE DRIVER WAS SOLELY FOUND AT FAULT. I JUST REC'D A CARD ABOUT TAKATA'S GUILT. MY ATTORNEY HAS NOW RETIRED. I AM ATTEMPTING TO FIND RELATED DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS FOR MY SUBSTANTIAL COSTLY INJURIES MANY YEARS SINCE THIS OCCURRED. THIS AIRBAG'S MAL-DEPLOYMENT HAS IMMENSELY ALTERED MY LIFE BEYOND WORDS HERE. ...UPDATED 11/17/17 *BF *TR *DT

NHTSA complaint #11045158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring, TX Crash 1 injured

ENGINE

A DRIVER, ON A 5 LANE ST, IN A CENTER TURN LANE, DRIVING THE SAME DIRECTION AS MYSELF STRUCK MY CAR ON IT'S LEFT-SIDE, CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN. ATTEMPTING TO AVOID FURTHER INJURY IN EARLY AM TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY VEER TO THE FAR RIGHT AT A REDUCED SPEED OF 3 MPH, AND COULD NOT STOP ENOUGH TO PREVENT COLLISION WITH A STATIONARY BRICK WALL. I REMEMBER MAKING IMPACT AND THE AIRBAG POPPING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LIKE A SMALL PILLOW, THEN SUDDENLY ERUPTING WITH PAINFUL MAGNIFICENT FORCE THROWING BY HEAD AND CHEST BACK, THEN MY FALLING TO THE RIGHT-SIDE ARM-REST. I MANAGED TO UNBUCKLE MY SEATBELT, AND MURMUR AS BEST I COULD TO MY TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS IN THE CAR WITH ME, TO GET MY CELL PHONE, GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND CALL THEIR FATHER. FORTUNATELY, A WITNESS CALLED 911 AND POLICE AND A LIFE-FLIGHT HELICOPTER ARRIVED TO EXTRACT ME FROM THE TOTALED CAR AND FLY ME UNCONSCIOUS TO A LOCAL TRAUMA HOSPITAL. I WAS ASSESSED AND IT WAS FOUND EVERY BONE IN MY FACE WAS BROKEN, THE FUMES OF THE AIRBAG CAUSED MY LUNG TO COLLAPSE, ME TO 'CODE', REQUIRING SHOCK EPINEPHRINE AND ELECTRICAL SHOCKING TO REVIVE MY BREATHING. I REQUIRED TOTAL FACIAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY WITH TITANIUM PLATES PLACED OVER BROKEN BONES IN MY FACE, AND DENTAL PINS IN 4 PLACES OF MY BROKEN UPPER AND LOWER JAWBONES. MY TEETH WERE CHIPPED/BROKEN AND LATER NEEDED EXTENSIVE VENEERS AND DENTAL REPAIRS. I SUFFERED MEMORY LOSS WHICH HAS CEASED M6 CAREER AS A REGISTERED NURSE. WE TOOK BMW, THE DRIVER, AND TAKA TO COURT 6 YEARS LATER, BUT TAKATA DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY $2.7 MILLION IN EXPENSES. THE DRIVER WAS SOLELY FOUND AT FAULT. I JUST REC'D A CARD ABOUT TAKATA'S GUILT. MY ATTORNEY HAS NOW RETIRED. I AM ATTEMPTING TO FIND RELATED DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS FOR MY SUBSTANTIAL COSTLY INJURIES MANY YEARS SINCE THIS OCCURRED. THIS AIRBAG'S MAL-DEPLOYMENT HAS IMMENSELY ALTERED MY LIFE BEYOND WORDS HERE. ...UPDATED 11/17/17 *BF *TR *DT

NHTSA complaint #11045158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 151,000 miles Atlanta, GA

AIR BAGS

CONTROL DISPLAY THAT THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, BRAKE CIRCUIT, HAS FAILED. ON MY DASHBOARD THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS ARE ON: AIRBAG, CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE PAD WEAR, ABS, AND THE ASC+T LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. NOTHING HAPPENED TO MY CAR, NO WRECK, NO QUICK STOPS, I AM AN EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS DRIVER. ALL THESE THINGS START TO OCCUR OUT OF NO WHERE,

NHTSA complaint #10872301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 151,000 miles Atlanta, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CONTROL DISPLAY THAT THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, BRAKE CIRCUIT, HAS FAILED. ON MY DASHBOARD THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS ARE ON: AIRBAG, CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE PAD WEAR, ABS, AND THE ASC+T LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. NOTHING HAPPENED TO MY CAR, NO WRECK, NO QUICK STOPS, I AM AN EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS DRIVER. ALL THESE THINGS START TO OCCUR OUT OF NO WHERE,

NHTSA complaint #10872301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 151,000 miles Atlanta, GA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CONTROL DISPLAY THAT THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, BRAKE CIRCUIT, HAS FAILED. ON MY DASHBOARD THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS ARE ON: AIRBAG, CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE PAD WEAR, ABS, AND THE ASC+T LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. NOTHING HAPPENED TO MY CAR, NO WRECK, NO QUICK STOPS, I AM AN EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS DRIVER. ALL THESE THINGS START TO OCCUR OUT OF NO WHERE,

NHTSA complaint #10872301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Levingston, NJ

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10611076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Levingston, NJ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10611076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,400 miles South Glastonbury, CT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS WHICH PREVENTS THE BRAKE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CAR IS BRAKE. SUBSEQUENTLY, CRUISE CONTROL CANNOT BE DISENGAGED BY THE BRAKE ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. INSTEAD WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE BRAKE THE DEPRESSED THE CAR SPEEDS UP COMPENSATING FOR THE LOST SPEED. THIS GREATLY INCREASES THE CHANCE FOR A HIGH SPEED CRASH BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10477433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,400 miles South Glastonbury, CT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS WHICH PREVENTS THE BRAKE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CAR IS BRAKE. SUBSEQUENTLY, CRUISE CONTROL CANNOT BE DISENGAGED BY THE BRAKE ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. INSTEAD WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE BRAKE THE DEPRESSED THE CAR SPEEDS UP COMPENSATING FOR THE LOST SPEED. THIS GREATLY INCREASES THE CHANCE FOR A HIGH SPEED CRASH BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10477433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,400 miles South Glastonbury, CT

SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS WHICH PREVENTS THE BRAKE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CAR IS BRAKE. SUBSEQUENTLY, CRUISE CONTROL CANNOT BE DISENGAGED BY THE BRAKE ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. INSTEAD WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE BRAKE THE DEPRESSED THE CAR SPEEDS UP COMPENSATING FOR THE LOST SPEED. THIS GREATLY INCREASES THE CHANCE FOR A HIGH SPEED CRASH BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10477433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Detroit, MI Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I HAVE A 1998BMW 323IS AND I RECENTLY MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY 9/13/2009. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT CRASHED VERY BADLY. THE WHOLE FRONT PORTION IS GONE AND CAR IS REUSABLE. WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAG(DRIVERS SIDE) JUST CAMEOUT1/2. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS IN A CRASH?HOW CAN I TRUST CARS IN THE CRASH?

NHTSA complaint #10284468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Detroit, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

I HAVE A 1998BMW 323IS AND I RECENTLY MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY 9/13/2009. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT CRASHED VERY BADLY. THE WHOLE FRONT PORTION IS GONE AND CAR IS REUSABLE. WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAG(DRIVERS SIDE) JUST CAMEOUT1/2. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS IN A CRASH?HOW CAN I TRUST CARS IN THE CRASH?

NHTSA complaint #10284468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Detroit, MI Crash

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

I HAVE A 1998BMW 323IS AND I RECENTLY MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY 9/13/2009. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT CRASHED VERY BADLY. THE WHOLE FRONT PORTION IS GONE AND CAR IS REUSABLE. WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAG(DRIVERS SIDE) JUST CAMEOUT1/2. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS IN A CRASH?HOW CAN I TRUST CARS IN THE CRASH?

NHTSA complaint #10284468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,501 miles Mendham, NJ Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, AND THE VEHICLE RPM'S - ON THEIR OWN - SUDDENLY INCREASED TO A VERY HIGH RPM. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS I WAS BACKING UP, CAUSING ME TO REAR END A PARKED CAR ACROSS THE STREET.

NHTSA complaint #10224272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Oconomowoc, WI

TIRES

PIRELLI TIRE FAILURE ON 1998 BMW 323IC. THE TIRES, AT LEAST TWO OF THE FOUR HAVE FAILED.THE CAR SHAKES AT ANY SPEED IN EXCESS OF 35 MPH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT AFTER TESTING ON A VERY SOPHISTICATED MACHINE THAT THE TIRES HAVE EXCESSIVE ROAD FORCE PROBLEMS, TIRE RACK SAID PIRELLI WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THESE VERY EXPENSIVE TIRES, AS THEY ONLY COVER PROBLEMS W/N THE FIRST 2/32NDS OF WEAR. MY TIRES HAVE 3/32NDS OF WEAR. THEY CANNOT BE USED AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 35 MPH. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I WILL HAVE TO BUY A NEW SET OF TIRES, THIS DOSNT MAKE ANY SENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10147787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Worth, FL 1 injured

AIR BAGS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #766708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

POLICE REPORT STATES THAT VEHICLE RAN INTO AN EXPEDITION. MOST OF THE REPORT WAS UNCLEAR. DRIVER HAD SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK ON THE WAY TO HOSPITAL, AND COULD NOT REMEMBER ANY OTHER DETAILS AT THIS TIME. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #872083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

NOTHING

NHTSA complaint #609492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Segundo, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

ELECTRIC LOCKS SHORT CIRCUIT. FUEL TANK CAP SENSOR SHORT CIRCUIT.

NHTSA complaint #609699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manhattan Beach, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM--LOW COOLANT AND GAS MEASURE LEVEL.

NHTSA complaint #609817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

GLOVE BOX SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #609492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manhattan Beach, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM--LOW COOLANT AND GAS MEASURE LEVEL.

NHTSA complaint #609817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Segundo, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING

ELECTRIC LOCKS SHORT CIRCUIT. FUEL TANK CAP SENSOR SHORT CIRCUIT.

NHTSA complaint #609699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.