1997 BMW M3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 5%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 BMW M3, 5% of the 19 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The brakes grind and squeal when the consumer is attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, the vehicle does not stop immediately instead it slides a few feet before coming to a full stop, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the dealer stated that the complaint was resolved and that there were no other problems but the problem reoccurs. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #559939, filed 2001-02Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 11% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2013 | 3 | 23% |
| 2011 | 4 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% |
| 2009 | 24 | 53% |
| 2008 | 37 | 45% |
| 2006 | 2 | 14% |
| 2005 | 2 | 17% |
| 2004 | 6 | 19% |
| 2003 | 14 | 26% |
| 2002 | 8 | 20% |
| 2001 | 4 | 29% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
| 1998 | 3 | 21% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 BMW M3
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 BMW M3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology