1997 BMW M3 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 21%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 4 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 BMW M3, 21% 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 2001-02“Dt: when pulling into a stop the windshield wipers will slow down in the speed that they work. They will slow down to the delay, intermediate setting when the vehicle is stopped. The problem has been going on since purchase of the vehicle in august 2004. When the contact called the manufacturer,they said that it is the way they are designed. There are other year, make, and models that have the same issue. The contact feels that it is a manufacturer's design flaw. The contact states that it impairs the visibility of the driver.”
NHTSA complaint #10139474, filed 2005-10Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 1997 BMW M3
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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 27, 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