1997 Bmw 328I: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029905 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121723 · 2005-05-20 (May 20, 2005)
SUDDEN FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL RESULTING IN A SHAKING/VIBRATING VEHICLE. WHILE ACCELLERTING IN CITY TRAFFIC THE CAR CAN LUNGE AND JERK WHILE ACCELLERATING, RESULTING IN UNPREDICTABLE ACCELLERATION. IN CITY TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THE IGNITION COILS FOR BMW 3 SERIES CARS AND IT APPEARS THEY FAIL A LOT, YET THERE IS NO RECALL CAMPAIGN! AFTER INVESTIGATING FURTHER IT APPEARS BMW HAS SOME RECALL CAMPAIGNS FOR SOME OF THE NEWER CARS. THEY SUGGEST REPLACING ALL IGNITION COILS WITH A NEW BOSCH MODEL. MY CAR HAS BRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129327 · 2005-07-19 (July 19, 2005)
PLASTIC RADIATOR BROKE AT UPPER HOSE CONNECTION, CAUSING SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF COOLANT AND ENGINE STOPPING IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC. THIS LED TO A VERY DANGEROUS RESCUE BY CALTRANS TRUCK AFTER AN HOUR OF EXPOSURE TO HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC.
Owner-reported narrative. 69,042 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10234021 · 2008-07-11 (July 11, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 328I CONVERTIBLE. DUE TO HIS BODY STATURE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO LEAN THE SEAT BACK IN ORDER TO USE THE SEAT BELT EFFECTIVELY. HE CONSULTED THREE DEALERS FOR SEAT BELT EXTENDERS, BUT NONE HAD THEM AVAILABLE OR WERE NOT BEING SOLD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE SEAT BELT EXTENDERS FOR THAT MODEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,882 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 159,800.
Owner-reported narrative. 159,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234021 at NHTSA ↗
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 10267149 · 2009-04-28 (April 28, 2009)
I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT MY CAR IS NOT SAFE AS THE FRONT SWAY BAR MOUNTS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10267149 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 10567287 · 2014-03-04 (March 4, 2014)
THE LOCKING DEVICE ON A 1997 BMW 328I INTERMITTENTLY MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IF IT IS LOCKED WHILE OCCUPIED. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK, WHICH CREATES A HIGH DANGER AND SEVERITY OF RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO CONSUMERS AND/OR USERS OF THE VEHICLE IF AN OCCUPANT STAYS IN A VEHICLE THAT IS LOCKED. DESPITE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS SAFETY RISK, BMW FAILED TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT AND ADVISE OR WARN PURCHASERS OR POTENTIAL USERS, INCLUDING THE PURCHASERS, OWNERS AND/OR USERS OF THE SUBJECT 1997 BMW 328I, BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE WARNINGS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10567287 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.