1997 BMW 840CI Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 14, 2006 · 2 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other 840CI years
Not enough data 1st of 3 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW 840CI. That is the most of any 840CI model year in the database (3 years). The most reported problem area is exterior lighting (2 complaints, 100%), typically at around 81,000 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 1997 BMW 840CI problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Exterior Lighting2 · ~81,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Exterior Lighting2100%81,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2002, with 1 complaints
2002: 1200212006: 120061

n = 2 complaints · Source: NHTSA

1997 BMW 840CI recalls (1)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Vehicle speed controlAug 19, 1997 · NHTSA campaign 97V131000 · 410,000 vehicles

Problem: The cruise control and throttle cables are attached to the same throttle valve actuating lever at the throttle housing. It is possible that the plastic bushing on either cable could break due to environmental influences coupled with vibration. If the bushing breaks, the outer cable housing can separate from the bushing. In this case, during application of the throttle pedal without cruise control being engaged, the outer tube could catch on the edge of the broken bushing.

Risk: This could cause the throttle valve to remain partially open. It his were to occur, the car might not decelerate as expected increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a spring steel clip on the outer tube of each cable in the area of the adjusting screw and plastic bushing. The clip is designed to prevent the outer tube from dislodging from the bushing.

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.

1. Headlight adjusters fall off and the pop-up headlights tilt down. 2. Visibility becomes poor at night - a safety problem. 3. Vehicle taken to dealer - parts on backorder since at least november 4, 2005. No repair is possible without parts. Dealer says 139 part kits are on backorder as of…

Exterior Lighting · received Mar 14, 2006 · NHTSA complaint 10152694

Adjusters fall off and the headlights tilt down and visibility becomes very poor at night.

Exterior Lighting · received Aug 29, 2002 · NHTSA complaint 766399

Other BMW 840CI years

← 1996 840CI

YearComplaintsRecalls
199721
1996 840CI11
1995 840CI11

See all BMW 840CI problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 BMW 840CI?

Owners most often report exterior lighting problems. The top one, exterior lighting, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 1997 BMW 840CI?

Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 1997 BMW 840CI a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 840CI model years, the 1997 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.