Total Complaints
49 filings
BMW 528I · model year
49 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997BMW528I carries 49 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 528I is suspension:front:macpherson strut with 6 filings, followed by air bags (3) and unknown or other (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 1997 528I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
49 filings
Crashes Reported
8 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT | 6 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
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.
Mileage: 200
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.
Mileage: 137,000
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.
Mileage: 180,000
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
Mileage: 135,000
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
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
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
Mileage: 108,000
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 CONTAC
Mileage: 62,000
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 CONTAC
Mileage: 62,000
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.
Mileage: 205,730
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
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
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 ACCELER
Mileage: 157,059
BMW CUSTOMER STATES THAT STRUT PLATE FAILED IN FEB 2007 AND DISCOVERED THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR EXACTLY THIS DEFECT**CC *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON INTERSTATE 5, SOUTHBOUND NORTH OF LOS ANGELES IN VICINITY OF SUN VALLEY, MY 1997 BMW 528I STRUCK A LARGE (30 GALLON) PLASTIC BARREL IN THE ROADWAY, IMPACTING THE LOWER FRONT CENTER/RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONSIDERS IT A TOTAL LOSS (EXCEEDING $12,000). THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL OUTSTANDING ON THE 1997 BMW 5 SERIES (RECALL NUMBER 04V183000) REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION/STRUT COMPONENTS, BUT MY CALL TO BMW AT 800-831-1117 DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REGARD TO MY VEHICLE. THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO CONFIRM TWO OTHER RECALL SERVICES THAT HAD BEEN PERFORMED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OFFERING ME A SETTLEMENT FOR TOTAL LOSS, BUT I WOULD PREFER THAT THE CAR BE REPAIRED AND THAT BMW BEAR THEIR SHARE OF THE COST FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF DAMAGE DUE TO THE KNOWN DEFECT.
Mileage: 142,165
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON INTERSTATE 5, SOUTHBOUND NORTH OF LOS ANGELES IN VICINITY OF SUN VALLEY, MY 1997 BMW 528I STRUCK A LARGE (30 GALLON) PLASTIC BARREL IN THE ROADWAY, IMPACTING THE LOWER FRONT CENTER/RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONSIDERS IT A TOTAL LOSS (EXCEEDING $12,000). THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL OUTSTANDING ON THE 1997 BMW 5 SERIES (RECALL NUMBER 04V183000) REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION/STRUT COMPONENTS, BUT MY CALL TO BMW AT 800-831-1117 DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REGARD TO MY VEHICLE. THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO CONFIRM TWO OTHER RECALL SERVICES THAT HAD BEEN PERFORMED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OFFERING ME A SETTLEMENT FOR TOTAL LOSS, BUT I WOULD PREFER THAT THE CAR BE REPAIRED AND THAT BMW BEAR THEIR SHARE OF THE COST FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF DAMAGE DUE TO THE KNOWN DEFECT.
Mileage: 142,165
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON INTERSTATE 5, SOUTHBOUND NORTH OF LOS ANGELES IN VICINITY OF SUN VALLEY, MY 1997 BMW 528I STRUCK A LARGE (30 GALLON) PLASTIC BARREL IN THE ROADWAY, IMPACTING THE LOWER FRONT CENTER/RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONSIDERS IT A TOTAL LOSS (EXCEEDING $12,000). THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL OUTSTANDING ON THE 1997 BMW 5 SERIES (RECALL NUMBER 04V183000) REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION/STRUT COMPONENTS, BUT MY CALL TO BMW AT 800-831-1117 DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REGARD TO MY VEHICLE. THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO CONFIRM TWO OTHER RECALL SERVICES THAT HAD BEEN PERFORMED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OFFERING ME A SETTLEMENT FOR TOTAL LOSS, BUT I WOULD PREFER THAT THE CAR BE REPAIRED AND THAT BMW BEAR THEIR SHARE OF THE COST FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF DAMAGE DUE TO THE KNOWN DEFECT.
Mileage: 142,165
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON INTERSTATE 5, SOUTHBOUND NORTH OF LOS ANGELES IN VICINITY OF SUN VALLEY, MY 1997 BMW 528I STRUCK A LARGE (30 GALLON) PLASTIC BARREL IN THE ROADWAY, IMPACTING THE LOWER FRONT CENTER/RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONSIDERS IT A TOTAL LOSS (EXCEEDING $12,000). THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL OUTSTANDING ON THE 1997 BMW 5 SERIES (RECALL NUMBER 04V183000) REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION/STRUT COMPONENTS, BUT MY CALL TO BMW AT 800-831-1117 DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REGARD TO MY VEHICLE. THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO CONFIRM TWO OTHER RECALL SERVICES THAT HAD BEEN PERFORMED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OFFERING ME A SETTLEMENT FOR TOTAL LOSS, BUT I WOULD PREFER THAT THE CAR BE REPAIRED AND THAT BMW BEAR THEIR SHARE OF THE COST FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF DAMAGE DUE TO THE KNOWN DEFECT.
Mileage: 142,165
I HAVE A 1997 528I BMW. WHEN IT RAINS MY CAR SHIFTS FROM GEAR TO GEAR. I HAD TO HAVE HIGHWAY PATROL ESCORT ME TO THE NEXT TOWN DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR CHOSE S2 (SPORT 2ND GEAR) AS THE GEAR IT PREFERRED TO DRIVE IN. I WASN'T ABLE TO DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN 40 MPH UNTIL THE CAR DRIED OUT THE NEXT DAY! *NM
Mileage: 132,000
ON 8/23/05 MY BMW 528I VIN#[XXX] BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIRS. ONE OF MY COMPLAINTS THAT DAY WAS THE CAR WOULD HESITATE AND SOME TIMES STALL. MY CAR WAS CONNECTED TO A "CHECK ENGINE COMPUTER SYSTEM" TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM WAS A "CRANK SENSOR" WHICH HE INFORMED ME WAS RECALLED. HE MADE A CALL TO TULLEY BMW (LOCATED IN NASHUA, NH) IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL BUT THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THAT VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME HE COULD FIX IT HOWEVER HE FELT IT WAS WORTH MY EFFORTS TO PERSUE THE ISSUE FURTHER AT TULLEY BMW. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR AND GETTING ALL OF THE INFORMATION FROM MY MECHANIC THAT DAY I WENT HOME AND CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. I GAVE THEM THE RECALL # 99E-A01AND MY VIN #. I WAS INFORMED BY NORTH AMERICA BMW THAT THE RECALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT AND ACCORDING TO THEIR RECORDS MY CAR WAS FIXED BY TULLEY BMW 5/2002. AFTER RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION I CALLED TULLEY BMW AND SPOKE WITH A "PETER" IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
Mileage: 110,469
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.