1997 BMW 3 Series Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1997 BMW 3 Series recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 1997 BMW 3 Series.

Most common 1997 BMW 3 Series problems

Problem areas named in the 5 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Visibility	1
Electrical System	1
Suspension	1
Structure	1
Engine	1
Air Bags	1

What owners report

2015-11-26, Air Bags
IT SHOWS SEATBELT SIGN AND AIRBAG SIGN

2015-08-14, Engine
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 PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. IT DROVE FINE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT THAT DAY. BEFORE THE INCIDENT I HAD TURNED ON THE A/C. ON TUESDAY (2 DAYS LATER) IT UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AGAIN AT HIGHER REVOLUTIONS AT THE SAME STOP LIGHT. I REPEATED WHAT I DID BUT THIS INCIDENT, THE CAR DID NOT THROTTLE DOWN. IT WAS AS IF IT WAS IN MANUAL MODE WITH THROTTLE FULLY OPENED. I HAD TO PUT TH

2006-03-31, Suspension
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. HTTP://WWW.UNOFFICIALBMW.COM/PHPBB/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?T=10859. *NM

2005-06-13, Electrical System
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 DEALERSHIP.

2005-03-09, Visibility
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 THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR CAN NOT SELECT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER FUNCTION AND POSSIBLY IMPAIRING THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE TWO CARS OF THIS BUILD TYPE AND THEY BOTH HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE MECHANICS REPAIR BILLS OFTEN AMOUNTS TO AN EXCESS OF $400 PER REPAIR. HERE IS A QUOTE FROM A REPUTABLE PARTS SOURCE, WWW.BAVAUTO.COM WEBSITE: THIS IS THE DIGITAL CLIMATE CON

1997 BMW 3 Series questions

Does the 1997 BMW 3 Series have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 1997 BMW 3 Series at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 BMW 3 Series?

Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Visibility (1), Electrical System (1), Suspension (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 1997 BMW 3 Series has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.