The 1997 BMW M3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 426,749 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires. Last updated July 6, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS99V0630011999-11-1516,749 affected
Defect
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…
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…
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…
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.
Complaints by component
TIRES
3
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS
2
1crashes
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
1
Total complaints28
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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…”
“Latent defect in body causing wheel mounts to tear away from car. *ak”
“The serpentine belts are cracked. Nlm”
“The power steering hoses to the pump and rack failed. Nlm”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 BMW M3 as of
July 6, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.