Model year record
1997 BMW 528 recalls & problems
The 1997 BMW 528 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 13 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1997 BMW 528.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Cooling system › Radiator assembly | 4 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc | 3 | — |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist system | 2 | — |
| Air bagsFrontal | 1 | — |
| StructureBody › Bumpers | 1 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Anchorage | 1 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Exterior lightingBack up lights | 1 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Steering
I BOUGHT THE 1997 BMW 528I OFF LEASE. IT WAS MY SECOND BMW. THE PRIOR BMW HAD VIRTUALLY NO PROBLEMS. I GUESS THE SECOND ONE HAD TO MAKE UP FOR THE FIRST ONE. IF I ONLY HAD A NICKLE FOR EVERY TIME I WISHED I HADN'T TRADED FOR THE SECOND ONE. 1. THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THIS WAS TO HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF. WHENEVER I DROVE THE CAR I HAD TO KEEP ONE EYE ON THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE AT ALL TIMES (IT WOULD HEAT UP VERY FAST). THE BMW DEALERSHIP MECHANICS COULDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY CHARGED ME OVER $2,000. WELL, THAT AND A COUPLE OF BOLDFACE LIES ENDED MY RELATIONSHIP WITH…
- Power train › Automatic transmission
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DOWN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION ONLY. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - *NM
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
ENGINE KEEPS OVERHEATING DUE TO A FAULTY WATER PUMP. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP TWICE. *AK
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
ENGINE OVERHEATED SUDDENLY AT EXPRESSWAY SPEED. SUSPECT THERMASTAT OR WATER PUMP. CAUSED MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE, "MELTDOWN" OF RADIATOR ASSY. *AK
- Exterior lighting › Back up lightsFire
THE THIRD/MIDDLE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING HAS MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP WHEN USING BRAKES FOR EXTENDED TIME PERIODS (E.G., WHEN STUCK IN VERY SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC). THIS HAS CAUSED THE RED LENSE TO MELT OVER THE BULB, THEREBY POSING A RISK OF FIRE AND PREVENTING THE CAR FROM BEING INSPECTED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT USING THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION DUE TO THE RISK OF FIRE (I HAVE SMELLED THE BURNING PLASTIC). THE HOUSING AND LIGHTING ASSEMBLY ARE ALL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT IT WILL NOT FIX THE SAFETY HAZARD EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNDER WARRANTY AND ALL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (AND IT WILL COST $550 FOR ME TO REPAIR IT). THIS DEFECT ALSO PERMITS WHITE LIGHT TO SHINE…
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
WHILE GETTING ROUTINE SERVICE CHECK THE SEVICE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THE CAR HAD RUN HOT. I HAD NOTICED NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, HOWEVER THEY SUGGESTED A WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT. I TEST DROVE THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SUGGESTED THE THERMOSTAT BE REPLACED FIRST. IT HAS BEEN ONE MONTH AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY TEMPATURE PROBLEMS.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT FRONT AND BACK BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE BAD. VEHICLE ALSO DIDN'T PASS THE INSPECTION. DEALER WILL ONLY TAKE $200.00 OFF FOR SERVICE. CINSUMER SAID THAT THERE WAS ONLY 10,000 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER. *AK
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
ABS BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR WENT ON, AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT CONSUMER COULD DRIVE ANOTHER 200 MILES, ONLY DROVE ANOTHER 50 MILES AND NEEDED NEW FRONT AND BACK ROTORS.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.