Bmw M3 1997
Model M3 made in 1997 by Bmw got 28 consumer complains there are 2 recalls as well as 8 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, engine and engine cooling and equipment. Technical service bulletines regarding engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline and suspension. There were some recalls concerningair bags, vehicle speed control. The car has one 3.2l engine.
Model 1997
| Engine [L] | Cylinders | Transmission | Drive | Estimate MPG (city/highway/combined) | Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined) | Fuel | Fuel cost | Class | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ( 3.2L) | 6 | Lockup/automatic, 5 gears | RWD | 19/28/22 | 21/36/26 | Premium | $ 956 | 3 | 960825 |
| ( 3.2L) | 6 | Manual, 5 gears | RWD | 20/28/23 | 22/36/27 | Premium | $ 914 | 3 | 960825 |
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - SIDE/WINDOW | ||||||||||||||||
| 99V063001 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | from 03/01/1997 to 08/31/1999 | V (Vehicle) | 16749 | 02/07/2000 | ODI | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | 11/15/1999 | 11/18/1999 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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 Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will reprogram the central computer control module that regulates the performance of all of the vehicle's occupant protection systems. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owner notification began february 7, 2000. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | ||||||||||||||||
| 97V131000 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | from 03/01/1994 to 07/30/1997 | V (Vehicle) | 410000 | 10/30/1997 | MFR | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | 08/19/1997 | 08/29/1997 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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 Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owner notification is expected to begin by the end of october 1997. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||||
| SI-B11-07-09 | 08/01/2009 | 10030850 | Bmw: 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 (e | 12/09/2009 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE | |||||
| SI-B11-07-09 | 08/01/2009 | 10030850 | Bmw: 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 (e | 12/09/2009 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||||
| 120299 | 02/01/1999 | 604633 | Customer may complain of engine running rough on cold start. *tt | 05/07/1999 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||||
| 12 10 97 | 04/01/1998 | 12 10 97 | 601101 | Subject on voluntary exhaust emission service action no. 98e-a01. *yc *jn | 07/01/1998 |
| 12 10 97 | 03/01/1998 | 12 08 97 | 600873 | Subject on voluntary exhaust emission service action no. 98e-a01. produced from 10/95 - 11/97 *yc*db | 06/10/1998 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | |||||
| 16 01 98 | 03/01/1998 | 600874 | Information on evaporative emission control and fuel filler cap / filler door labels. *yc | 06/10/1998 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR - AXLE - NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||||
| SIB-33-01-02 | 07/01/2011 | 10040853 | Ready | 09/13/2011 | |
| SIB-33-01-02 | 07/01/2011 | 10040853 | Bmw: 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. *rm | 09/13/2011 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 12/01/2001 | |||
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 06/01/2001 | |||
| Airbag light on the dash lit, dealer found no problems and had to reset 3 times.*ak | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 10/13/2001 | |||
| 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 | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 06/13/2001 | 2 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Latent defect in body causing wheel mounts to tear away from car. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 02/21/2001 | 1 | 10/01/2000 | |
| The serpentine belts are cracked. nlm | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 1 | |||
| Crankcase revolution sensor failed. mjs | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||
| 06/03/1997 | 6 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 06/03/1997 | 5 | ||
| 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 | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | |||
| 1 | 10/01/2000 | ||
| The speakers failed. nlm | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY | |||
| 08/01/2000 | 3 | 08/01/2000 | |
| Fuel hose clamps fittings and components failing - manufacturer issued a 95-97 model recall in japan but not in the us. *ak | |||
| OTHER | |||
| 1 | 10/01/2000 | ||
| The floor panel cracked. nlm | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | |||
| 1 | 10/01/2000 | ||
| The shifting gear cracked. nlm | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FLUID | |||
| 02/21/2001 | 1 | 10/01/2000 | |
| The brake fluid was dirty. nlm | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | |||
| 02/01/2001 | 4 | 10/01/2000 | |
| 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 | |||
| STEERING | |||
| 01/01/1998 | 03/25/1997 | ||
| 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. | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||
| 02/21/2001 | 1 | 10/01/2000 | |
| The power steering hoses to the pump and rack failed. nlm | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 1 | 10/01/2000 | ||
| The vehicle was out of alignment. nlm | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER | |||
| 11/05/2001 | 09/01/1999 | ||
| 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 | |||
| TIRES | |||
| 08/01/2000 | 2 | 05/01/2000 | |
| 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 | |||
| 07/12/1998 | 1 | 06/17/1997 | |
| Tire blewout prematurely. (dotf38aa17117, manufacturer- michelin, tire name- mxx3, tire size- 225/45zr17) | |||
| 01/01/1998 | 03/25/1997 | ||
| 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. | |||
| TIRES - BEAD | |||
| 08/03/2000 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 11/18/1999 | |||
| 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 | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - CONTROLS/WIRING | |||
| 06/23/1997 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 04/30/1997 | |||
| Rear window: driving down highway and the rear window completely shattered. cause unknown , has not been repaired. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD | |||
| 1 | 10/01/2000 | ||
| The windshield cracked. nlm | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | |||
| 09/01/2004 | 1 | 09/01/2004 | |
| 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 | |||
| WHEELS | |||
| 07/09/2001 | |||
| 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 | |||