1997 BMW 3 Series
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 11 of 51 complaints (22%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 57 in 1996 to 51 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,350–3,900 | 3,350–3,900 | 3,250–4,100 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,600–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–23 | 20–23 | 19–24 | 19–24 | 20–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–19 / 26–29 | 18–20 / 24–29 | 17–20 / 24–29 | 16–20 / 24–29 | 17–20 / 25–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–444 | 386–444 | 370–468 | 370–468 | 370–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 110 | 57 | 51 | 77 | 247 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 20 | 7 | 6 | 15 | 22 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 18 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 BMW 3 Series have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 BMW 3 Series?
Electrical: 11 of 51 NHTSA complaints (22%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 BMW 3 Series get?
EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 BMW 3 Series?
EPA estimates $3,250–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (15)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 11 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 15 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
Show 1 more configuration
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 12 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E064000 · Jul 17, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E044000 · May 23, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 06E023000 · Mar 14, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Campaign 97V131000 · Aug 29, 1997
Defect: 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.