The 1988 BMW 735 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 70,187 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
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.
THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEATBACKS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY ATTACHED TO THE SEAT BASE RECLINING ARMS (ATTACHING BRACKETS).
THERE MAY BE LOOSENESS OF, OR NOISE IN, THE SEATBACK;ALSO, DURING A SEVERE REAR IMPACT, SEATBACK MIGHT NOT SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT.
MANUALLY SEAT THE SEATBACK ON THE BASE.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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…”
“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”
“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”
“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”
“While driving the driver's side air bag deployed without reason. Consumer has contacted manufacturer. *ak”
“Steering when coming around corners loss of steering binding loss of power. Tt”
“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”
“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”
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 BMW 735 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.