1997 BMW 3-Series Problems and Repair Histories
1997 BMW 3-Series problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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BMW 3-Series
Non-members can see only ten 1997 BMW 3-Series problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
1997 BMW 3-Series
Engine not specified
| BMW in Tennessee, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2010 | 90000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2010 | 90000 | 300 | Replaced pads and rebuilt caliper |
| BMW in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2012 | 185380 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 186620 | 180 | replace the drivers side seat belt retainer for the second time |
| BMW in South Africa | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2012 | 161820 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2012 | 163660 | 200 | Car had bad idle, fuel consumption was up. Replaced crankcase case pressure valve |
| Jun | 2012 | 164300 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW in British Columbia, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 133300 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2012 | 137640 | 450 | Fan in dash failed |
| BMW in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 107000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 108000 | 500 | Took for the oil change and discovered that all the oil had leaked. changed seal but still leaks little bit at pulley. |
| May | 2011 | 129000 | 1800 | The coolant leaked, car overheated and blew the head gasket and jammed the piston. Repair was too expensive. Had to sell really cheap for parts to the mechanic |
| BMW in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2013 | 127000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2013 | 127000 | 1590 | Needed new clutch, second new clutch in history of car. |
| BMW in Missouri, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2012 | 207000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 207000 | 200 | Leaky steering rack |
1997 BMW 3-Series 4-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 155000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 158000 | 150 | Preventative replacement of water pump and hoses. Replacement of oxygen sensors and rebuilding of secondary air pump to pass emissions. |
| Jun | 2012 | 172000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1997 BMW 3-Series 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| BMW in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 140000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 142000 | 700 | check engine light going for camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensors. Sensors replaced. Still light. Also car stalling. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
1997 BMW 3-Series 2-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in Nevada, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 204000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 205500 | 680 | front wheel bearings, OLF, Trans fluid, brakes/pads/rotors, brake fluid bleed, M50 manifold |
| Apr | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW in Iowa, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2010 | 78000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 79000 | 0 | Side skirt came loose. Had to realign clips and reinstall. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW in Kansas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 119000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 126000 | 280 | Front driver-side caliper locked up. |
| Feb | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 151000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2010 | 155000 | 300 | A/C selector valve seized up and only heat was available. Replacement of valve resolved the problem and A/C is working again. |
| Sep | 2010 | 155000 | 750 | Check engine light came on. Fault code indicated reduced catalytic converter efficiency. Tried replacing 02 sensors first but fault code returned. Replaced cayalytic converter and fault did not return. |
| Nov | 2011 | 163000 | 85 | Wandering rear end on crowned roads and clicking noise when going around turns that progressed into a loud clunk when accelerating and turning. Right rear trailing arm bushing had failed. Left also failing. Replaced on both sides with Rogue Engg parts. |
| Dec | 2011 | 164000 | 25 | Brake switch on brake pedal assembly failed. Replaced switch with new one and problem was resolved. |
| Jul | 2012 | 167700 | 250 | Rear subframe that attaches differential and suspension to the car chassis has 4 large rubber bushings that failed due to age. Symptom was loose feeling in rear end and noticeable clicking sound going around low speed turns. |
| Sep | 2012 | 169000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1997 BMW 3-Series 2-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| BMW in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 108000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 130700 | 419 | A bad wheel bearing was replaced, as well as replacing a radiator fan which had a cracked blade. |
| Jun | 2011 | 134000 | 458 | Radiator neck cracked and broke off.. major coolant loss. New radiator installed. |
| Jul | 2011 | 135000 | 1020 | Cracked, original overflow coolant tank started leaking severely. Tank was replaced and all is fine. |
| Oct | 2011 | 138000 | 400 | Broken accelerator cable replaced |
| Apr | 2012 | 145700 | 550 | Multiple vacuum leaks tracked down and repaired; leaking valve cover gasket also repaired. Car would stall and not run until vacuum leaks fixed. |
| Jun | 2012 | 147000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1997 BMW 3-Series 2-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in Louisiana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 140000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2009 | 142000 | 1100 | Overheating because of failure of auxilliary fan. Also replaced water pump and thermometer on advice of mechanic. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW in Tennessee, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 159000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2009 | 160000 | 3000 | Leaking head gasket. Took the opportunity to change out all related tensioners, hoses, etc |
| May | 2010 | 163000 | 350 | rear shocks replaced |
| Dec | 2010 | 168000 | 350 | Shocks and struts replaced |
| Feb | 2011 | 170000 | 20 | Driver side window misaligned. Needed to realign the track and reattach modulator. |
| Jul | 2011 | 172000 | 430 | Rear RH axle boot |
| Apr | 2012 | 176000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
Expert 1997 BMW 3-Series Repair Advice
Non-members can see only ten 1997 BMW 3-Series problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
What People Are Saying about Problems with the 1997 BMW 3-Series
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