1997 Bmw 528: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
60,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 28.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 1; Steering: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2006: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10153889 · 2006-03-28 (March 28, 2006)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 72,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10745657 · 2015-08-02 (August 2, 2015)
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 DEALERS…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10745657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 738190 · 2000-12-23 (December 23, 2000)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746507 · 2001-06-06 (June 6, 2001)
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 E…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748337 · 2001-07-12 (July 12, 2001)
ENGINE OVERHEATED SUDDENLY AT EXPRESSWAY SPEED. SUSPECT THERMASTAT OR WATER PUMP. CAUSED MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE, "MELTDOWN" OF RADIATOR ASSY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8004403 · 2002-02-22 (February 22, 2002)
ENGINE KEEPS OVERHEATING DUE TO A FAULTY WATER PUMP. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP TWICE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8004403 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 854652 · 2000-01-22 (January 22, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 854652 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.