- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles are built with a side air bag system consisting of door-mounted thorax air bags (rear door air bags are optional), a central electronic sensor and diagnostic system, left and right satellite impact sensors, and associated wiring. This system is unduly sensitive to certain non-crash impacts, such as contacting large potholes or curbs at substantial speed.
- The risk
- This could cause the side air bag to deploy without an actual side crash. In addition, the battery safety terminal (bst) could also activate, disconnecting the starter cable from the battery. In this case, the vehicle's electrical system could continue to operate and the engine would continue to run, but after stopping, could not be restarted.
- The fix
- Dealers will reprogram the central computer control module that regulates the performance of all of the vehicle's occupant protection systems.
Vehicle safety record
1997 BMW M3 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 BMW M3 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in November 1999 for the side / window.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical M3 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 BMW M3 recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1997 BMW M3 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
BMW M3: every year compared
All M3 years1997 BMW M3 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 BMW M3 | 0 | 2 | B | |
| 1997 BMW 528I | 41 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 328I | 35 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 540I | 27 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 528 | 13 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 540 | 7 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 318 | 5 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 318I | 5 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 528IA | 3 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 BMW M3
Does the 1997 BMW M3 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1997 BMW M3: side / window (November 1999); vehicle speed control (August 1997). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1997 BMW M3 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 BMW M3 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 62 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical BMW M3 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 1997 BMW M3 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data