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: 1 of 2 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.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
81,000 miles · Mar 14, 2006
Exterior Lighting
1. HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS FALL OFF AND THE POP-UP HEADLIGHTS TILT DOWN. 2. VISIBILITY BECOMES POOR AT NIGHT - A SAFETY PROBLEM. 3. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER - PARTS ON BACKORDER SINCE AT LEAST NOVEMBER 4, 2005. NO REPAIR IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT PARTS. DEALER SAYS 139 PART KITS ARE ON BACKORDER AS OF 3/12/06, INDICATING WIDESPREAD …
Read full complaint
1. HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS FALL OFF AND THE POP-UP HEADLIGHTS TILT DOWN. 2. VISIBILITY BECOMES POOR AT NIGHT - A SAFETY PROBLEM. 3. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER - PARTS ON BACKORDER SINCE AT LEAST NOVEMBER 4, 2005. NO REPAIR IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT PARTS. DEALER SAYS 139 PART KITS ARE ON BACKORDER AS OF 3/12/06, INDICATING WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH VERY RARE CAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10152694
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2002
Exterior Lighting
ADJUSTERS FALL OFF AND THE HEADLIGHTS TILT DOWN AND VISIBILITY BECOMES VERY POOR AT NIGHT.
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
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.
1997 BMW 840CI Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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