Does the 1997 BMW M3 have any recalls?

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: air bags, vehicle speed control. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1997 BMW M3 recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a BMW dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 BMW M3?

19 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1997 BMW M3 recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1997 BMW M3. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your BMW been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A BMW dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1997 BMW M3 recalls, newest first

November 15, 1999NHTSA 99V06300116,749 vehicles potentially affected

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 19, 1997NHTSA 97V131000410,000 vehicles potentially affected

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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 1997 BMW M3 with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 1
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Tires3
Air bags2
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner2
Service brakes2
Air bags › Frontal1

Other 1997 BMW models

Most recalled 1997 vehicles

1997 Ford F-150 (25 recalls)
1997 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1997 Honda Accord (15 recalls)
1997 Dodge Caravan (14 recalls)
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1997’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1997 BMW M3 have any recalls?: 2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: air bags, vehicle speed control. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1997 BMW M3 recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a BMW dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 BMW M3?: 19 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.