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1997 BMW 328I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 BMW 328I are lower than the model-year median of 98.

About this comparison →
25Owner complaints

Model-year median: 98

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
31
199625
199726
199898
1999112
2000
Compare all 328I years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
7Structure
4Air Bags
3Engine And Engine Cooling
3Tires
3
All reported categories
Seat Belts
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Back Over Prevention
1Power Train
1Seats
1Steering
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 5 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

25 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Structure

PLASTIC FACE PLATE ON THE BOTTOM OF DOOR FRAME GOT CAUGHT ON CONSUMER'S SHOE AND BROKE. MJS

NHTSA ODI #605997

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 1999
Electrical System

I PARKED THIS CAR FOR 3 DAYS BEFORE I DROVE IT AT SUNDAY MORNING. AFTER I PARKED FOR AN HOUR LATER IT STARTED ON FIRE BY IT SELF. FIRE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME IT WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH IS STARTED FROM ENGINE ROOM BETTERY TERMINAL.

NHTSA ODI #702319

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1998
Wheels

2 ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE BENT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828095

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 1998
Structure

WATER LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE FROM ALL DOORS IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #822313

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 1997
Power Train

VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD IN DRIVE GEAR AS WELL AS REVERSE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

NHTSA ODI #527098

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.