Owners have filed 28 complaints
about the 1997 BMW M3 with NHTSA between 1997 and 2005.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 16 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 43
Against the median year of the BMW M3. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1997 BMW M3
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
414.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
414.3%
Equipment & Accessories
310.7%
Airbags
310.7%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
310.7%
Suspension
27.1%
Brakes
27.1%
Steering
27.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
13.6%
Wheels
13.6%
Fuel & Propulsion
13.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
13.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
13.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1997peak 11Oct 2005
Recalls on the 1997 BMW M3
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
99V063001
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
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.
97V131000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Battle Ground, WACrash
AIR BAGS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #761726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cerritos, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #899680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CACrash1 injured
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #539861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #539861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Woburn, MA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #10139474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battle Ground, WACrash
AIR BAGS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #761726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cerritos, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #899680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RED Bank, NJ
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
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.
NHTSA complaint #754494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #892802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hacienda Heights, CA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH LIT, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS AND HAD TO RESET 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #748050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LATENT DEFECT IN BODY CAUSING WHEEL MOUNTS TO TEAR AWAY FROM CAR.
NHTSA complaint #746851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antoni, TX
TIRES
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
NHTSA complaint #560947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, RI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL HOSE CLAMPS FITTINGS AND COMPONENTS FAILING - MANUFACTURER ISSUED A 95-97 MODEL RECALL IN JAPAN BUT NOT IN THE US.
NHTSA complaint #745272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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
NHTSA complaint #559939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
THE SHIFTING GEAR CRACKED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FLOOR PANEL CRACKED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE SPEAKERS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE SERPENTINE BELTS ARE CRACKED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
THE POWER STEERING HOSES TO THE PUMP AND RACK FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
THE BRAKE FLUID WAS DIRTY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antoni, TX
TIRES:BEAD
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
NHTSA complaint #556461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, NH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #853215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
NHTSA complaint #846337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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
NHTSA complaint #548014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palos Verd, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
CRANKCASE REVOLUTION SENSOR FAILED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #608017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #541126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angele, CACrash1 injured
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #539861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.