1997 BMW 528I Problems
- Complaints
- 41filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 BMW 528I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1997 BMW 528I. The part named most often is suspension, with 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by air bags (5) and brakes (5). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 16% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 108,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Suspension12 29%
- Air bags5 12%
- Brakes5 12%
- Engine cooling3 7.3%
- Other or unknown3 7.3%
- Body and structure3 7.3%
- Electrical system2 4.9%
- Fuel system2 4.9%
- Exterior lighting1 2.4%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10018900, filed 2003-05, 112,520 milesAir bags: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10260678, filed 2009-03, 62,000 milesBrakes: “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, filed 2014-03, 200 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “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!”
NHTSA complaint #10173232, filed 2006-11, 132,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
16% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,000 and 137,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 BMW 528I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 528i RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 528i RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 BMW 528I 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. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Air bags. Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10152674Nov 1, 2018Equipment. Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018Electrical system, Air bags. For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018Air bags. In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will…
- 10142928Dec 1, 2017Engine cooling, Electrical system. SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module:
- 10135028Dec 1, 2017Equipment. SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
Other model years of the BMW 528I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 59 | 77,000 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 51 · Typical | Rising |
| 2015 | 65 | 80,000 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 47 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 57 | 77,500 | 3 | 5 | 26 | 58 · Typical | Rising |
| 2013 | 73 | 89,560 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 39 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 90 | 73,000 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 96 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 118 | 74,500 | 4 | 5 | 25 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2010 | 65 | 100,000 | 2 | — | 22 | 49 · Typical | Stable |
| 2009 | 23 | 93,827 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 118 | 90,000 | 2 | — | 21 | 22 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2000 | 42 | 100,378 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 46 | 84,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 33 | 89,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 41 | 108,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All BMW 528I model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 BMW 528I have?
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1997 BMW 528I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 BMW 528I is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by air bags with 5.
Has the 1997 BMW 528I 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.
What gas mileage does the 1997 BMW 528I get?
The EPA rates the 1997 BMW 528I (528i, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 BMW 528I reported?
Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 108,000 miles and the middle half falls between 62,000 and 137,000 miles; 16% 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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.