1997 BMW 528I Problems, complaints & recalls

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.

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.

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.

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

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...

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

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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

On 8/23/05 my bmw 528i vin#[[redacted]] 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...

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Headlight no longer will stay in alignment light shines down not out on road. This is not the result of any accident. *Jb

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

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 car to travel to work and I am planning on taking the car to the dealer tomorrow. *Jb

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.

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.