1997 Bmw 328I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 18 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 2; Tires: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 6; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10252318 · 2008-12-19 (December 19, 2008)
1997 BMW 328I LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. DRIVING 40MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. SNOWING BUT STRAIGHT LEVEL CONCRETE ROAD. APPROACHING ASPHALT CURVE ENTERING SMALL MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, I TAPPED BRAKE TO DISENGAGE CRUISE. IT DIDN'T DISENGAGE SO HIT IT HARDER. CRUISE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND THREW CAR INTO A SKID. TRIED STEERING COLUMN LEVER, NO EFFECT. CRUISE NOW ACCELERATED STRONGLY, SPUN CAR 180, CAR SLID INTO DITCH AT UNDER 30MPH AND FLIPPED OVER. CAR DRIVEN BACK 600 MILES TO HOME BUT TOTAL LOSS FROM CRUSHED IN ROOF. BMW HAS POSSESSION OF THE CAR PE…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10980991 · 2017-04-26 (April 26, 2017)
AFTER SEEING YET ANOTHER REAR END COLLISION, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SUGGESTION I HAVE HAD IN MIND FOR A LONG TIME. I BELIEVE WE CAN REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF SUCH ACCIDENTS, BY FLASHING THE STOP SIGNALS WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE ON AND THE CAR IS STOPPED ( REQUIRES A SPEED SENSOR, OF COURSE). MANUAL FLASHING ELECTRONICS EXISTS IN EVERY MODERN CAR, BUT IS NOT NORMALLY USED WHEN STOPPED ON THE ROADWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10980991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8018964 · 2002-09-18 (September 18, 2002)
TURNED ENGINE OFF, AND WENT INTO STORE, AND HEARD AN EXPLOSION. CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *AK THE DEALER SAID THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED AND CAUSED A SHORT CIRCUIT IN TURN DEPLOYING THE AIR BAG. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8018964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 897012 · 2001-09-28 (September 28, 2001)
THERMOSTAT MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, AND RADIATOR TO BLOW. *AK THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND TRIM UNDER THE REAR OF THE DRIVER SEAT WAS LOOSE. *ET
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 897012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10411759 · 2011-07-11 (July 11, 2011)
1997 BMW 328IS WITH 179K MILES. AFTER DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES (HIGHWAY OR CITY), MY STEERING WHEEL WILL BIND OR GET TIGHT IN A TURN. AFTER MUSCLING THROUGH THE TURN SO I DON'T CRASH, THE STEERING WHEEL "POPS" AND RETURNS TO NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAS BEGAN TO HAPPEN DAILY AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS ANYONE IN THE CAR WITH ME! *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 178,835 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 878388 · 2001-01-17 (January 17, 2001)
WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO PARK VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY TURNING OFF IGNITION. BRAKES WOULD ONLY SLOW IT DOWN, BUT NOT STOP IT. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES, AND WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, WILL NOT REPAIR IT. MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH DEALERSHIP, AND POLICY WAS TO RETURN VEHICLE IF NOT REPAIRABLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 878388 at NHTSA ↗