1997 Bmw 528I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
108,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 33 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 6 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut: 6; Suspension:Front: 3; Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 2; Suspension: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 14 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 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10002697 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
RADIATOR FAILURE AT THE TOP HOSE CONNECTION POINT. LATER LEARNED THAT THE MATERIAL USED IS QUITE UNRELIABLE -- SO I REPLACED ALL THE PLASTIC I COULD FIND IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. $1200. I EXPECT I'LL HAVE TO DO IT ALL AGAIN IN ANOTHER YEAR OR SO.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005502 · 2003-02-08 (February 8, 2003)
IT WASN'T A VERY COLD DAY ABOUT 17 DEGREES,I WENT TO PULL MY DOOR HANDLE OPEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE ENTIRE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF.THIS IS SUPPPOSE TO BE A TOP OF THE LINE CAR BMW 528I, I HAD OTHER CARS THAT WERE JUST REGULAR CARS AND IT'S BEEN COLDER THAN THIS AND THE DOOR HANDLES WERE FROZEN AND THEY NEVER CAME OFF.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018900 · 2003-05-19 (May 19, 2003)
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT STRUT HAS FAILED. THE STRUT HAS BROKEN HALF WAY AND APPEARS THAT IT JUST A MATTER OF TIME OR A BUMP BEFORE THE ENTIRE PIECE BREAKS OFF. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE CONTROL WILL BE LOST. A FEW MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT BECAUSE THAT STRUT SPRING BASE FAILED, AT THE TIME I CONSIDERED A FREAK OCCURRENCE AND JUST REPLACED THE STRUT. NOW THAT THE OTHER STRUT IS FAILING I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SINCE I NEED MY C…
Owner-reported narrative. 112,520 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026782 · 2003-08-22 (August 22, 2003)
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING A SPACE THE FLEXIBLE BALL JOINT HOUSING CAME APART. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED COMPLETELY AROUND. *AK THE FLEX JOINT HOUSING BOLT WENT OUT. THE FLEX JOINT HOUSING BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SLIP RING WAS DAMAGED TO THE WHEEL SPRING. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 88,055 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065924 · 2004-04-11 (April 11, 2004)
HEADLIGHT NO LONGER WILL STAY IN ALIGNMENT LIGHT SHINES DOWN NOT OUT ON ROAD. THIS IS NOT THE RESULT OF ANY ACCIDENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068606 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD AN EXPLOSION, SOUNDING LIKE A TIRE BLOWOUT. WHILE EXAMINING THE FLAT TIRE, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT BROKE, PIERCING THE TIRE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 38,514 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079383 · 2004-06-16 (June 16, 2004)
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04 V 183 000 CONCERNING FRONT SPRING STRUT PLATE. CONSUMER RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE, AND UNABLE TO GET DEALER TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS OWNER OWNED THE DEALER MONEY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080308 · 2004-07-02 (July 2, 2004)
ON JULY 1, 2004 CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, PRIOR TO HAVING THE STRUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V183000 REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE DEFECT OCCURRED. THIS RESULTED IN A COLLISION ON JUNE 25, 2004 WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, AND THE RIGHT TIRE BROKE. AS RESULT, VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080308 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.