1997 BMW 3 Series Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 3 Series years
- Not enough data 15th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW 3 Series. That ranks 15th out of 20 3 Series model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (1 complaints, 20%). There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
- 5owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 BMW 3 Series problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 | 20% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 20% | 74,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 20% | 199,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 20% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 20% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 20% | 61,200 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 BMW 3 Series recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 1997 BMW 3 Series.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
It shows seatbelt sign and airbag sign
When i was at a stop light, my engine began to accelerate with my foot on the brake. When the light turned green the engine continued to revve higher. It did not tamper down until i put the car in neutral. The engine continued to revve when i began to drive again until i came to my destination and…
Rear suspension failure on e36 bmw.. I have read about this on every bmw forum.. The rear subframe mounts tear the floor sheet metal as they are not properly reinforced. I have owned 4 separate cars with this same problem and i know countless others…
Sudden and complete failure of iginition switch. After routine drive from work to the gym, i turned the ignition switch to the off position, and the engine did not stop. I was able to remove the key but the engine kept running. There was no way to tun off the engine using the key. Drove car to the…
It is common knowledge through car clubs, parts suppliers and the mechanics providing repairs that the electronic climate control unit often fails completely or becomes intermittent in operation. When it fails there is no controls or chance of changing functions. This allows the condition to exist…
Other BMW 3 Series years
← 1996 3 Series · 1998 3 Series →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 3 Series | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 3 Series | 21 | 0 |
| 2012 3 Series | 7 | 3 |
| 2011 3 Series | 1 | 2 |
| 2010 3 Series | 30 | 2 |
| 2009 3 Series | 53 | 1 |
| 2008 3 Series | 68 | 2 |
| 2007 3 Series | 115 | 1 |
| 2006 3 Series | 202 | 3 |
| 2005 3 Series | 25 | 0 |
| 2004 3 Series | 77 | 0 |
| 2003 3 Series | 73 | 0 |
| 2002 3 Series | 26 | 0 |
| 2001 3 Series | 36 | 1 |
| 2000 3 Series | 88 | 1 |
| 1999 3 Series | 6 | 1 |
| 1998 3 Series | 3 | 0 |
| 1997 | 5 | 0 |
| 1996 3 Series | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 3 Series | 3 | 0 |
See all BMW 3 Series problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 BMW 3 Series?
Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, engine problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 1997 BMW 3 Series?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 1997 BMW 3 Series a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 3 Series model years, the 1997 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.