NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 BMW 528I Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1997 BMW 528I right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 41 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 BMW 528I.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1997 BMW 528I owner complaints

Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW 528I, describing incidents dated October 3, 1996 to February 22, 2013.

Most-cited components

Suspension 12 complaints
Air Bags 5 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints
Service Brakes 5 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Structure 3 complaints

Of the 41 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 41 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10574038 · Filed March 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON HIS VEHICLE HAD NOT OPERATED NORMALLY SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BMW SPECIALIST, WHO STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR THIS MODEL BMW HAD NEVER WORKED PROPERLY . THE MANUFACTURER HAD…
ODI #10500018 · Filed February 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TRAVELED OVER A ROAD BUMP AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE RELEASED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE STRUTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT INQUIRED OF NHTSA…
ODI #10411550 · Filed July 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 528I EQUIPPED WITH NANKANG SPORT NS-1 (255/40/17) DOT U8UY1264906 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE REAR TIRES, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE BUBBLES LOCATED ON THE THREAD OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR…

Read all 41 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1997 BMW 528I right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 BMW 528I. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

41 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 BMW 528I.

Service Brakes

ODI #10574038

Incident: November 27, 1996 · Filed: March 21, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON HIS VEHICLE HAD NOT OPERATED NORMALLY SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BMW SPECIALIST, WHO STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR THIS MODEL BMW HAD NEVER WORKED PROPERLY . THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 MILES.

Suspension

ODI #10500018

Incident: February 22, 2013 · Filed: February 25, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TRAVELED OVER A ROAD BUMP AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE RELEASED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE STRUTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT INQUIRED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V183000 (SUSPENSION) BUT HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE RECALL REPAIRS WAS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE AND THE FAILURE HAD ALREADY OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Tires

ODI #10411550

Incident: July 3, 2011 · Filed: July 8, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 528I EQUIPPED WITH NANKANG SPORT NS-1 (255/40/17) DOT U8UY1264906 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE REAR TIRES, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE BUBBLES LOCATED ON THE THREAD OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 4,800.

Steering

ODI #10376928

Incident: December 20, 2010 · Filed: January 17, 2011

AFTER A FEW DAYS OF THE CAR SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY THE STEERING LOCKING MECHANISM WAS STUCK. FINALLY MANAGED TO GET IT UNLOCKED ONLY TO HAVE IT LOCK AGAIN WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS REALLY SCARY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. I DECIDED NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE AND DECIDED TO GET RID OF IT. *TR

Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #10359550

Incident: October 1, 2010 · Filed: October 7, 2010

TWO THINGS SPECIFICALLY WHICH APPEARS TO BE A VERY WIDESPREAD ISSUE. FIRST, THE TRANSMISSION HAS LOST ITS REVERSE FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE GOES IN DRIVE WITHOUT A SINGLE PROBLEM AT ALL. THIS APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE DRUM ON THE VEHICLE. (A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW YOU AND UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM) ALSO, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE TRANSISTOR IN THE LCM (LIGHT CONTROL MODULE). MY LIGHT STAYED ON IN MY 97 BMW 528I AND CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING THE HEADLIGHT CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. THE HEADLIGHT CAUGHT AFIRE BECAUSE THE LCM MODULE DIDN'T TURN THE LIGHTS OFF. ALSO,THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT FOR REVERSE. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10325000

Incident: May 15, 2009 · Filed: April 12, 2010

VEHICLE STARTED RANDOM SHIFT SELECTIONS AFTER RAIN OCCURS. DISPLAY OFTEN SHOWED INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION AND INCORRECT GEAR POSITION ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. GEAR POSITION INDICATOR ON TRANSMISSION HAS DEGRADED SEALANT ALLOWING WATER INTO WIRING AND SWITCH CAUSING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AND INCORRECT INDICATIONS FROM TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE SPEED CONTROL. HAS PROGRESSED NOW TO COMPLETE DEGRADATION OF ALL TRANSMISSION FUNCTION AND INDICATION REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. *TR

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #10260678

Incident: January 31, 2006 · Filed: March 4, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 528I. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2006, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG SENSOR THAT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. SOMETIME LATER, THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM, WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATING. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY EITHER A DEFECT IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, TENSIONER, CONTROL MODULE, OR WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER SLICED AND RIGGED THE WIRING FOR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR SO THAT IT WOULD NO LONGER ILLUMINATE. A DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE DAMAGE TO THE WIRING WOULD COST MORE TO REPLACE THAN THE ACTUAL COST OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD WORK PROPERLY AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,100.

Suspension

ODI #10254282

Crash Fire

Incident: January 7, 2009 · Filed: January 8, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE BADLY. HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AND THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE DENTED INWARDS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SPRING STRUT PLATE FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V183000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,730.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10224013

Incident: June 1, 2007 · Filed: April 8, 2008

1997 BMW 528I WAS RUNNING HOT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT, MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR. SHE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING HOT AND THE BRAKES WERE SCREECHING AND SQUEAKING. ANOTHER DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. *KB

Power Train

ODI #10203864

Incident: August 3, 2007 · Filed: September 23, 2007

I HAVE A 1997 BMW 528I WHEN IT RAINS MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM GEAR TO GEAR. I FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. ON 8/3/07 I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE 1998 528I HAD A RECALL ON THE GEAR SELECTOR MODULE. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT AND LET ME KNOW. WHEN I WENT BACK FOR THE CAR THEY CHARGED ME A $124.00 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNEW. I ALREADY KNEW THE PROBLEM AND HAD STATED THAT. I WANTED TO KNOW IF MY CAR WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL! THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I REALLY DON'T CARE IF MY VIN IS COVERED! MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 1998 MODEL THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED! THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD ORDER THE PART BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I REFUSED. THE 1997 528I NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL! IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN IT RAINS SINCE NOT ONLY ARE THE ROADS WET, BUT THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS FROM GEAR TO GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND ACCELERATE RANDOMLY. ALSO THE INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN AND GIVES FALSE INDICATION OF THE CORRECT GEAR. THIS CAN CONTINUE FOR AS LONG AS A WEEK UNTIL THE MODULE DRIES OUT! I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY 1997 528I THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM! *JB

Other BMW 528I model years

Check your 1997 BMW 528I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 528I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a BMW VIN