1997 Bmw 328IC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
114,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1999: 2; 2000: 1; 2008: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10246650 · 2008-10-24 (October 24, 2008)
1997 BMW 328 CI WITH 114K MILES. DRIVING AND AT STOP LIGHT READY TO GO INTO 1ST GEAR TO DRIVE OFF AND CAR MOVING VERY SLOWLY. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I'VE BEEN TOLD AND WILL COST $5K-$7.5 TO FIX DEPENDING ON IF I GO TO DEALER OR MAACO SHOP. NO PRIOR NOTICE OF PROBLEM; IT JUST HAPPENED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246650 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1997 | 1999 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1132.4%ODI 10043050 · 60,000 miMY REAR SUBFRAME TOTALLY SEPERATED FROM MY VECHICLE COSTING 1600 TO FIX. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, IT BROKE ON ITS OWN. BMW INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR," BUT I THINK ITS A RECALL ISSUE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. ALSO MY MOONROOF BENT THE TRACKS, AND NOW NEEDS TOTAL REPLACEMENT. BMW ALSO HAS A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING WINDOW REGULATORS. *LA |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 617.6%ODI 10250675 · 21,500 miFIRST THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTER. CAR WOULDN'T START IN PARK. I HAD THAT FIXED. THEN I NOTICED WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE, IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. THEN OUT OF THE BLUE, ONLY SEVERAL DAYS OUT OF THE SHOP, THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE IN ANY GEAR. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 21,500 MILES OR SO. I WILL ASK MECHANIC TO KEEP OLD PART. I CALLED VOB OF ROCKVILLE, MD. THEY WERE THEIR USUAL DISGUSTING SELVES. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME OVER 6000 DOLLARS THAT I DON'T HAVE. THE CAR IS A 200 328C… |
| Suspension:Rear | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 38.8%ODI 10104997WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR STRUT MOUNTING HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THREE OUT OF FOUR REAR STRUT MOUNTS HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 120.0%ODI 10246650 · 114,000 mi1997 BMW 328 CI WITH 114K MILES. DRIVING AND AT STOP LIGHT READY TO GO INTO 1ST GEAR TO DRIVE OFF AND CAR MOVING VERY SLOWLY. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I'VE BEEN TOLD AND WILL COST $5K-$7.5 TO FIX DEPENDING ON IF I GO TO DEALER OR MAACO SHOP. NO PRIOR NOTICE OF PROBLEM; IT JUST HAPPENED. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.9%ODI 10152916 · 68,500 mi2000 BMW 328CI. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENTER 3RD GEAR AND GOES STRAIGHT INTO FIFTH. COMMON PROBLEM ON BMW'S WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. UNSAFE TO SKIP GEARS IN A NORMAL ACCELERATING SITUATION. CAR GOES STRAIGHT INTO FIFTH AND NEARLY STALLS EVERY TIME. BMW INSISTS THERE IS NO FLAW, BUT BMW FORUMS HIGHLIGHT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. A FAILED $4 PART COSTS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR AND IS A TRAFFIC HAZARD AS MANY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION AS THE SHIFTER CAN STICK OR BIND IN NEUTRAL OR 5TH GEAR AND MUST BE… |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 25.9%ODI 10087716 · 48,200 miSUB FRAME HAD A CRACK. AS A RESULT, WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS PRODUCED. *AK |
| Tires | 120.0%ODI 733211TIRE TREAD CAME OFF DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE. CONTINENTAL DENIED CLAIM BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR A PUNCTURE. THE PUNCTURE REPAIR REMAINED INTACT AND AS FAR AS I COULD SEE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LOSS OF THE TREAD. CONTINENTAL TOLD ME THAT THE TIRE WAS LIKELY TO FAIL (TREAD COME OFF) SOONER OR LATER BECAUSE OF THE PUNCTURE REPAIR. I FIND THIS STATEMENT TO BE INCREDULOUS AS I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED IN ANY OF THEIR SERVICE MANUALS THAT REPAIRING A PUNCTURE WOULD RENDER TH… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.9%ODI 10101827 · 77,221 miTWO TIRES BLEW OUT. THE FIRST ONE WAS ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE SECOND WAS ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. DEALER STATED CONSUMER MUST HAVE STRUCK SOMETHING IN THE ROAD BOTH TIMES.*AK |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 25.9%ODI 10043050 · 60,000 miMY REAR SUBFRAME TOTALLY SEPERATED FROM MY VECHICLE COSTING 1600 TO FIX. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, IT BROKE ON ITS OWN. BMW INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR," BUT I THINK ITS A RECALL ISSUE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. ALSO MY MOONROOF BENT THE TRACKS, AND NOW NEEDS TOTAL REPLACEMENT. BMW ALSO HAS A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING WINDOW REGULATORS. *LA |
| Air Bags | 120.0%ODI 10778722TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 114,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10246650 · 114,000 mi1997 BMW 328 CI WITH 114K MILES. DRIVING AND AT STOP LIGHT READY TO GO INTO 1ST GEAR TO DRIVE OFF AND CAR MOVING VERY SLOWLY. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I'VE BEEN TOLD AND WILL COST $5K-$7.5 TO FIX DEPENDING ON IF I GO TO DEALER OR MAACO SHOP. NO PRIOR NOTICE OF PROBLEM; IT JUST HAPPENED. *TR |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1999: 0 complaints · 2000: 7 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 34 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Air Bags | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | Power Train:Manual Transmission | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.