1997 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

VISIBILITY

4 complaints

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 MANUFACTURER,THEY SAID THAT IT IS THE WAY THEY ARE DESIGNED. THERE ARE OTHER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW. THE CONTACT STATES THAT IT IMPAIRS THE VISIBILITY OF THE DRIVER.*AK

Oct 12, 2005

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. NLM

Feb 27, 2001

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.

Feb 04, 1998

REAR WINDOW: DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND THE REAR WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED. CAUSE UNKNOWN , HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

May 02, 1997

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

May 09, 2002

Crash: 1

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A RIGHT FRONTAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK

Nov 29, 2001

Crash: 1

AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH LIT, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS AND HAD TO RESET 3 TIMES.*AK

Jul 07, 2001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 complaints

LATENT DEFECT IN BODY CAUSING WHEEL MOUNTS TO TEAR AWAY FROM CAR. *AK

Jun 14, 2001

THE SERPENTINE BELTS ARE CRACKED. NLM

Feb 27, 2001

CRANKCASE REVOLUTION SENSOR FAILED. MJS

Feb 01, 1999

TIRES

3 complaints

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND 3 TIMES, THIS BLOWOUT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE AND FRONT BUMPER, THIS TIRE WAS 5 HOURS OLD, THE SECOND INCIDENT INVOLVED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WHICH HAD A BUBBLE AND BLEWOUT WHILE TURNING A CORNER, THIS TIRE WAS 6 MONTHS OLD (BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE730, 245/40ZR17BW). NLM

Apr 30, 2001

CONSUMERS PURCHASED A NEW SET OF BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES (25540R17, DOT EJ0XJEA030), SEVERAL HOURS LATER ONE OF THE NEW TIRES EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT DUE TO A TORN BEAD WHICH CAUSED THE THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL, SPIN THREE TIMES AND SLIDE OFF INTO THE MEDIAN, NONE OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED, DEALER REFUSED CONSUMERS REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). NLM

Oct 30, 2000

TIRE BLEWOUT PREMATURELY. (DOTF38AA17117, MANUFACTURER- MICHELIN, TIRE NAME- MXX3, TIRE SIZE- 225/45ZR17)

Sep 20, 1998

EQUIPMENT

3 complaints

THE SPEAKERS FAILED. NLM

Feb 27, 2001

WHILE DRIVIN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM MALFUCTIONED, CAUSING A LOUD NOISE AND GRAY SMOKE TO ENTER INTO VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS FOGGING UP THE WINDOWS WHICH MAY AFFECT VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HAPPENED 6 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED HOSES/SEALS AND ETC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Sep 01, 1999

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL, A MIST COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS AND A LOUD NOISE. NLM

Aug 18, 1999

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

REAR SHOCK MOUNT TOWER TORE FROM BODY OF CAR, BOLTS AND ALL. NO MODIFICATION DONE TO SUSPENSION, NORMAL DRIVING, NO ADVANCE NOTICE. NO TRACK DRIVING. BMW MAKES A REPLACEMENT KIT TO REMEDY THIS WEAK BODY AREA. BMW MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE MANY SIMILAR M3'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. AT HIGH SPEED WOULD PROVE FATAL.*AK

Nov 13, 2001

THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. NLM

Feb 27, 2001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 complaints

THE BRAKES GRIND AND SQUEAL WHEN THE CONSUMER IS ATTEMPTING TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP IMMEDIATELY INSTEAD IT SLIDES A FEW FEET BEFORE COMING TO A FULL STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPLAINT WAS RESOLVED AND THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURS. NLM

Feb 27, 2001

THE BRAKE FLUID WAS DIRTY. NLM

Feb 27, 2001

WHEELS

1 complaint

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN TRAVELING 10MPH CONSUMERS HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR. UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE CONSUMER FOUND TIRE WAS BENT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND FOUND THAT WHEEL MOUNT TORE AWAY FROM FRAME. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE DUE TO THE FACT THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Jul 13, 2001

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

FUEL HOSE CLAMPS FITTINGS AND COMPONENTS FAILING - MANUFACTURER ISSUED A 95-97 MODEL RECALL IN JAPAN BUT NOT IN THE US. *AK

May 13, 2001

STEERING

1 complaint

THE POWER STEERING HOSES TO THE PUMP AND RACK FAILED. NLM

Feb 27, 2001

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

THE SHIFTING GEAR CRACKED. NLM

Feb 27, 2001

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

THE FLOOR PANEL CRACKED. NLM

Feb 27, 2001

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING IN DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC WENT AROUND VEHICLE, AND AT THAT POINT THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN . VEHICLE LUNCHED OUT OF CONTROL. PUT IT INTO PARK, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, RESTARTED AND STILL THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN. CONTACTED THE DEALER, FOUND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE PART. *AK

Nov 22, 1999

STEERING,TIRES

1 complaint

TIRES FAILED TWICE. IN BOTH CASES THE TIRES WERE WORN THROUGH TO THE METAL BEFORE STOPPING. ANOTHER CASE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, FELT SOFTNESS IN STEERING AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. WITHIN 5 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED.

Aug 15, 1998

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

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4.3/5.0

94 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1997 BMW M3 have?

The 1997 BMW M3 currently has 27 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1997 BMW M3?

The most common problems reported for the 1997 BMW M3 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1997 BMW M3 problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1997 BMW M3 comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.