no report yet
Air bags: side/window
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH.
1997 BMW M3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 19 owner complaints about the 1997 BMW M3, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 12, 2005. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 BMW M3 has problems
19 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
4Visibility
4Tires1 crash/fire/injury
3Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
3Engine and engine cooling
3Equipment
2Steering1 crash/fire/injury
2Suspension
1Wheels
1Power train
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 4 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 1 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1997 BMW M3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other M3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the M3 median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'21'22'23'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What M3 owners report
Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
DT: WHEN PULLING INTO A STOP THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL SLOW DOWN IN THE SPEED THAT THEY WORK. THEY WILL SLOW DOWN TO THE DELAY, INTERMEDIATE SETTING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2004. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE…
LOSS OF FAN AND UNIT CONTROL SETTINGS WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF THEN RESTARTED. SETTING WILL NOT REMAIN IN OFF POSITION WHEN VEHICLE IS RESTARTED.
Own a 1997 M3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.