1998 BMW M Roadster Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1998 BMW M Roadster. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
11
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2
STRUCTURE:BODY
2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
2
AIR BAGS
1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
1
STRUCTURE
1
SUSPENSION
1
Total complaints22

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“I did a quick search of the nhtsa database and have found approx. 60 complaints about this exact safety issue. I'm quite surprised that the nhtsa has not sanctioned bmw about this problem. After being informed that this is a common safety problem with these cars and being advised to check for it,…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2011-02-01

“I did a quick search of the nhtsa database and have found approx. 60 complaints about this exact safety issue. I'm quite surprised that the nhtsa has not sanctioned bmw about this problem. After being informed that this is a common safety problem with these cars and being advised to check for it,…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2011-02-01

“Rattling noise from back of vehicle. Local shop replaced worn exhaust bracket; did not fix problem. Shop looked more closely at car and saw cracks in differential bracket and cracks in rear subframe. Took car to local frame shop and they also saw popped tack welds. Quoted $1800 to fix. Advised car…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2009-12-23

“My 1998 bmw m roadster, with under 71,000 miles, is showing signs of rear subframe failure. I am aware that this has happened on many of them that were driven hard on tracks, but this car has been used almost exclusively for driving on the highway to/from work and between chattanooga and atlanta.…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2008-07-10

“My bmw m roadster has sustained a massive chassis and subframe failure making the car unsafe to drive and inoperable. *tr”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2008-01-28

“2 months ago my exhaust system dropped on my car, and was rubbing on the rear differential. I took it into a shop, and the exhaust bracket was modified to clear the differential. I went in to have my belts replaced yesterday, and found that the entire rear subframe of my car had torn away from the…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS · reported 2007-12-05

“I have a 1998 bmw m roadster. The subframe is starting to rupture (tear) and welds in the trunk are breaking. If this continues the result could cause an accident. The problem was just diagnosed so no repair action has been taken. *nm”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2007-02-03

“I read about the rear subframe tearing off of bmw z3s and m roadsters and decided to have a look at mine. Found the welds holding the subframe on were failing badly and the bracket hold my rear differential was splitting. This is a very common problem I guess. *nm”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2006-12-25
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 BMW M Roadster as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.