1997 BMW M3
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 BMW M3, covering air bags and vehicle speed control, and 19 consumer complaints received since 1997.
The component named most often is visibility: 142.9 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 56.1 per 1,000 across all 1997 model-year vehicles and against 48.6 per 1,000 for the BMW M3 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 11.6 complaints per model year across the 33 BMW M3 model years on this register; 3 complaints reported a crash and 0 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2001 (8); the most recent in the file is dated 12 Oct 2005.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE.
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 1997 BMW M3 (black) against all 1997 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 1997 | M3 line | All 1997 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 142.9 | 48.6 | 56.1 |
| Tires | 142.9 | 25.4 | 54.1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 107.1 | 69.8 | 129.3 |
| Equipment | 107.1 | 10.6 | 19.4 |
| Air Bags | 107.1 | 192.4 | 60.4 |
| Steering | 71.4 | 14.8 | 70 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 4 | 142.9 | 48.6 | 56.1 |
| Tires | 4 | 142.9 | 25.4 | 54.1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 107.1 | 69.8 | 129.3 |
| Equipment | 3 | 107.1 | 10.6 | 19.4 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 107.1 | 192.4 | 60.4 |
| Steering | 2 | 71.4 | 14.8 | 70 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 71.4 | 23.3 | 101.4 |
| Suspension | 2 | 71.4 | 40.2 | 64 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 35.7 | 25.4 | 43.7 |
| Power Train | 1 | 35.7 | 236.8 | 87.7 |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 35.7 | 19 | 21.3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 35.7 | 21.1 | 49.6 |
| Wheels | 1 | 35.7 | 8.5 | 10.4 |
19 unique complaints, 28 component mentions; 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other BMW M3 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 NHTSA | 1 | 2 | 375,000 |
| 1989 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 375,000 |
| 1990 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 375,000 |
| 1991 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 375,000 |
| 1992 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 340,000 |
| 1993 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 340,000 |
| 1994 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 340,000 |
| 1995 | 4 | 11 | 987,000 |
| 1996 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 410,000 |
| 1997 | 2 | 19 | 426,749 |
| 1998 NHTSA | 1 | 14 | 16,749 |
| 1999 NHTSA | 1 | 11 | 16,749 |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 | 523,065 |
| 2001 | 4 | 14 | 1,099,510 |
| 2002 | 5 | 36 | 1,559,511 |
| 2003 | 5 | 49 | 1,342,494 |
| 2004 | 3 | 29 | 1,286,190 |
| 2005 | 3 | 12 | 1,286,190 |
| 2006 | 5 | 13 | 2,049,120 |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 1,602,930 |
| 2008 | 5 | 77 | 1,622,071 |
| 2009 | 5 | 43 | 1,622,071 |
| 2010 | 4 | 14 | 1,619,571 |
| 2011 | 4 | 22 | 1,619,571 |
| 2012 | 3 | 5 | 916,606 |
| 2013 | 2 | 10 | 899,965 |
| 2014 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 5,761 |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | 5,999 |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 | 2,899 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 2,857 |
| 2018 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 22,442 |
| 2023 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 120 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All BMW M3 model years · BMW: 250 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 1997 BMW M3 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 99V063001, was reported to NHTSA on 15 Nov 1999 and concerns air bags:side/window. Across all model years the BMW M3 line has 26 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 1997 BMW M3?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 1997 BMW M3 complain about most?
Visibility: 4 of 28 component mentions (142.9 per 1,000). Next is tires with 4. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.