1997 BMW 528 Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,250miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 BMW 528 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1997 BMW 528. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (23% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and steering (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,250 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 23%
- Engine cooling3 23%
- Steering2 15%
- Air bags1 7.7%
- Engine1 7.7%
- Exterior lighting1 7.7%
- Seat belts1 7.7%
- Body and structure1 7.7%
- Tires1 7.7%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #854652, filed 2000-01Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #738190, filed 2000-12Steering: “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). …”
NHTSA complaint #10745657, filed 2015-08, 48,000 milesAir bags: “The ABS brakes failed to operate when applied upon slowing down to make a turn, causing the vehicle to go down a 6 to 8 foot hill, hitting a tree and the air bags did not deploy. Please describe details.”
NHTSA complaint #806467, filed 1996-12Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,000 and 72,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 BMW 528 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Other model years of the BMW 528
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 | 152,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 7 | 126,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 13 | 60,250 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 BMW 528 have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1997 BMW 528 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 BMW 528 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (23% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1997 BMW 528 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 BMW 528 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,250 miles and the middle half falls between 48,000 and 72,500 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.