1997 BMW 528I

41 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

1. Filed Mar 21, 2014Failure Nov 27, 1996200 milesRandolph, NJService brakes

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10574038
2. Filed Feb 25, 2013Failure Feb 22, 2013137,000 milesLA Jolla, CASuspension

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10500018
3. Filed Jul 8, 2011Failure Jul 3, 2011180,000 milesMesa, AZTires

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10411550
4. Filed Jan 17, 2011Failure Dec 20, 2010135,000 milesMiami, FLSteering

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10376928
5. Filed Oct 7, 2010Failure Oct 1, 2010Jackson, MSElectrical system, Automatic transmission

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10359550
6. Filed Apr 12, 2010Failure May 15, 2009108,000 milesAustin, TXAutomatic transmission

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10325000
7. Filed Mar 4, 2009Failure Jan 31, 200662,000 milesSAN Fransisco, CAAir bags, Seat belts

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10260678
8. Filed Jan 8, 2009Failure Jan 7, 2009205,730 milesHawaiian Gdns, CAFrontCrashFire

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10254282
9. Filed Apr 8, 2008Failure Jun 1, 2007Augusta, GAEngine and engine cooling, Service brakes, Hydraulic

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10224013
10. Filed Sep 23, 2007Failure Aug 3, 2007157,059 milesPhoenix, AZGear position indication (prndl)

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10203864
11. Filed Apr 18, 2007Failure Feb 1, 2007DES Moines, IAFront

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10188998
12. Filed Mar 18, 2007Failure Feb 24, 2007142,165 milesLaguna Niguel, CAFrontal, Underbody shields, Front, Macpherson strutCrash

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10185458
13. Filed Nov 12, 2006Failure Sep 27, 2006132,000 milesPhoenix, AZControl module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10173232
14. Filed Aug 30, 2005Failure Aug 23, 2005110,469 milesManchester, NHWiring

    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. I EXPLAINED MY SITUATION AND PETER CAME BACK WITH THE SAME INFORMATION THAT HIS RECORDS INDICATE IT WAS DONE. WHEN I TOLD HIM IT WASN'T DONE BECAUSE THE PART IN MY CAR IS THE ORIGINAL SENSOR AND EXPLAINED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART CONNECTED DIFFERENT. AFTER ARGUING SOME MORE HE FINALLY AGREED TO LOOK AT THE CAR ON 8/30/2005. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON 8/29/2005 SO IT WOULD BE THERE IN THE AM. IMMEDIATELY THE SERVICE PERSONAL HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE SENSOR. HE CONFIRMED IT WAS IN FACT THE ORIGINAL PART. WHEN I ASKED FOR A RENTAL CAR I WAS TOLD THAT THEY FIRST HAD TO FIND OUT WHO WAS GOING TO PAY FOR THE RECALL. I THEN INFORMED THEM THEY WERE BECAUSE I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SAID IT WAS ALREADY DONE THEREFORE TULLEY BMW RECEIVED THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RECALL. NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR THAT NIGHT. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 10134716
15. Filed Jun 15, 2005Failure Apr 17, 200592,900 milesClinton, MDDriveline, Gear position indication (prndl)

    I OWN A 1997 BMW 528I AND EVERYTIME IT RAINS THE GEAR SELECTION SWITCH MALFUNCTION CAUSING RANDOM GEAR SELECTION. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A RECALL ON THE 1998 MODEL, WHICH USES THE SAME RECALLED PART.

    NHTSA complaint 10125436
16. Filed Mar 24, 2005Failure Dec 10, 200455,000 milesMiami Beach, FLMacpherson strut

    A RATTLING NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE FRONT RIGHT STRUT COLLAPSED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. *SC *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10107262
17. Filed Jul 2, 2004Failure Jul 2, 2004Morristown, NJMacpherson strut

    CONSUMER HAD ALREADY FIXED THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #4V183000. ORIGINAL INVOICE WAS SEND TO THE MANUFACTURER IN MAY 2004. AND STILL WAITING FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT. MANUFACTURER CALL THE CONSUMER AND INDICATED THEY WONT HONORING THE RECALL BECAUSE INDEPENDENT SHOP REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

    NHTSA complaint 10080309
18. Filed Jul 2, 2004Failure Jun 27, 200412,000 milesCelina, TXMacpherson strutCrash

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10080308
19. Filed Jun 16, 2004Failure Jun 9, 2004Worthington, OHAir suspension system

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10079383
20. Filed Jun 14, 2004Failure Mar 18, 200438,514 milesGlenshaw, PAMacpherson strut

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10068606