NHTSA Recall Check

1997 BMW M3 Recalls

NHTSA reports 2 open safety recalls for the 1997 BMW M3. All recall repairs are free at any authorized BMW dealer, regardless of mileage or ownership.

Open Recalls for the 1997 BMW M3

99V063001Reported 15/11/1999

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

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

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.

Source: NHTSA campaign 99V063001 via nhtsa.gov/recalls

97V131000Reported 19/08/1997

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

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.

Source: NHTSA campaign 97V131000 via nhtsa.gov/recalls

See 1997 BMW M3 prices →

Verified buyer transactions, not estimates.

BMW VIN decoder →

Decode any BMW VIN free.

How to Get a Recall Repaired

  1. Confirm the recall applies to your specific BMW M3 by checking the VIN above.
  2. Note the NHTSA campaign number from the recall details.
  3. Call any authorized BMW dealer and reference the campaign number.
  4. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the dealer must perform the recall remedy at no cost regardless of vehicle age or owner.
  5. Bring the vehicle to the appointment. Most recall repairs take 1-3 hours; some require parts to be ordered first.

Buying a 1997 BMW M3?

See what real buyers paid for this exact year and model on CarWhere — verified from actual deal sheets, not dealer ads.

Browse BMW M3 Prices