1997 BMW M3
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1997 BMW M3. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1997 BMW M3. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the central computer control module that regulates the performance of all of the vehicle's occupant protection systems.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
19 complaints3 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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…
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
- Air bags
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- 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. *ak
- 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.*ak
- 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.*ak
- Air bags
Airbag light on the dash lit, dealer found no problems and had to reset 3 times.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Latent defect in body causing wheel mounts to tear away from car. *Ak
- 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…
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
- 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. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl) · Service brakes, hydraulic › Fluid · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections · Suspension › Front · Unknown or other · Visibility › Windshield
The windshield cracked. nlm
- 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
- 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. *ak
- 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. *Ak
- 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
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Crankcase revolution sensor failed. Mjs
- Tires
Tire blewout prematurely. (Dotf38aa17117, manufacturer- michelin, tire name- MXX3, tire size- 225/45zr17)
- Steering · 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.
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
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.
- Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Rear window: driving down highway and the rear window completely shattered. Cause unknown , has not been repaired. *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10244237Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
- 10040853BMW: a grinding noise IS coming from the differential during slow cornering. When turning a slip/stick effect IS created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential clutch causes a grinding noise.
- 10030850BMW: thermostat housing inspection. The retaining springs of the thermostat housing quick release couplings for the coolant hoses may not be locked correctly. This situation may result in a coolant leak. Models affected are M3 sedan (E90), coupe (92), and convertible (393). No model years listed.
- 604633Customer may complain of engine running rough on cold start.
- 601101Subject on voluntary exhaust emission service action no. 98E-a01.
- 600874Information on evaporative emission control and fuel filler cap / filler door labels.
- 600873Subject on voluntary exhaust emission service action no. 98E-a01. Produced from 10/95 - 11/97 *yc*db
Every BMW M3 model year
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