1997 BMW 328i
WBABK8320VET98607
Vehicle history report for the 1997 BMW 328i (VIN WBABK8320VET98607). Blue, convertible/cabriolet. Title: Clean. 66,720 mi reported. Registered in Oh. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1997 BMW 328i.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1997 BMW 328i costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN WBABK8320VET98607
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 1997 bmw 328i.
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Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 BMW 328i, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 3 involved a crash 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 35
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1997 BMW 328i.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER SEEING YET ANOTHER REAR END COLLISION, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SUGGESTION I HAVE HAD IN MIND FOR A LONG TIME. I BELIEVE WE CAN REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF SUCH ACCIDENTS, BY FLASHING THE STOP SIGNALS WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE ON AND THE CAR IS STOPPED ( REQUIRES A SPEED SENSOR, OF COURSE). MANUAL FLASHING ELECTRONICS EXISTS IN EVERY MODERN CAR, BUT IS NOT NO…
Crash · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10980991AIR BAGS
IT SHOWS SEATBELT SIGN AND AIRBAG SIGN
NHTSA ODI #10807082AIR BAGS
TL* 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.
Crash · NHTSA ODI #10778722ENGINE
WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, MY ENGINE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REVVE HIGHER. IT DID NOT TAMPER DOWN UNTIL I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REVVE WHEN I BEGAN TO DRIVE AGAIN UNTIL I CAME TO MY DESTINATION AND PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. IT DROVE FINE…
NHTSA ODI #10748626ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE LOCKING DEVICE ON A 1997 BMW 328I INTERMITTENTLY MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IF IT IS LOCKED WHILE OCCUPIED. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK, WHICH CREATES A HIGH DANGER AND SEVERITY OF RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO CONSUMERS AND/OR USERS OF THE VEHICLE IF AN OCCUPANT STAYS IN A VEHICLE THAT IS LOCKED. DESPITE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS SAFETY RISK, …
NHTSA ODI #10567287STEERING
1997 BMW 328IS WITH 179K MILES. AFTER DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES (HIGHWAY OR CITY), MY STEERING WHEEL WILL BIND OR GET TIGHT IN A TURN. AFTER MUSCLING THROUGH THE TURN SO I DON'T CRASH, THE STEERING WHEEL "POPS" AND RETURNS TO NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAS BEGAN TO HAPPEN DAILY AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS ANYONE IN THE CAR WITH ME! *TT
NHTSA ODI #10411759STRUCTURE
I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT MY CAR IS NOT SAFE AS THE FRONT SWAY BAR MOUNTS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267149VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1997 BMW 328I LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. DRIVING 40MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. SNOWING BUT STRAIGHT LEVEL CONCRETE ROAD. APPROACHING ASPHALT CURVE ENTERING SMALL MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, I TAPPED BRAKE TO DISENGAGE CRUISE. IT DIDN'T DISENGAGE SO HIT IT HARDER. CRUISE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND THREW CAR INTO A SKID. TRIED STEERING COLUMN LEVER, NO EFFECT. CRUISE NOW AC…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #10252318+ 27 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN WBABK8320VET98607 valid?
WBABK8320VET98607 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in Germany. It decodes to the 1997 BMW 328i.
Does the 1997 BMW 328i have any open safety recalls?
No open NHTSA safety-recall campaigns were found for the 1997 BMW 328i. CarLogs checks this against official NHTSA data on every lookup.
What fuel economy does the 1997 BMW 328i get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 1997 BMW 328i at about 20 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).
Data last checked 4 Sep 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.