NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 1997 BMW 3 Series. Most complaints involve electrical system (2) and tires (2). The EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED SHE COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND TO CALL THIS AGENCY AND REPORT IT. *PH”
“ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, BMW, 318I WITH 30283 MILES. DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM PASSENGER'S REAR OF VEHICLE. TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED, CAUSING $ 4000.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK CONTINENTAL TOURING 205/60R15 91H CH95”
“MY 1997 BMW 318TI SUFFERED FROM UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. HERE'S HOW IT HAPPENED: I PULLED OUT ONTO THE STREET AFTER GETTING MY CAR WASHED. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR DOWN HARD AS I PULLED OUT. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND THE WET TIRES SPUN ON THE PAVEMENT. I LET OFF ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR RACED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKES. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AT ITS MAXIMUM POSSIBLE REVOLUTIONS AND THE WHEELS WERE SCREECHING FORWARD. THE ABS SYSTEM WAS KICKING IN CONTINUALLY IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT STOP AND I COULD BARELY CONTAIN IT. THE ODOMETER KICKED UP TO 130 MPH EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT GOING MORE THAN 25 MPH. I TRIED TO PULL THE SHIFT LEVER INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE ENGINE JUST REVVED FASTER AND WOULD NOT STOP LUNGING FORWARD. WHILE STANDING ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET, I SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. THE ACCELERATION IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. MY HAZARD LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON AT THE TIME BECAUSE THE CAR WASH PEOPLE TOLD ME TO TURN THEM ON (APPARENTLY TO ALERT THE STAFF PEOPLE THAT I HAD PAID EXTRA FOR A CLEAR COAT FINISH...). AFTER I GOT THE CAR SHUT OFF AND TURNED THE HAZARD LIGHTS OFF, THE CAR RESTARTED…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318i/318is Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
| 318ti Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
| 318i Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| 318i Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| 318i/318is Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| 318i/318is Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| 318ti Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| 318ti Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| 318ti Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| 318i Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,600 | 404 |
| 318i/318is Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,600 | 404 |
| 328i/328is Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (2), tires (2), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 BMW 3 Series at 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).