1997 BMW 5 Series
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › BMW › 5 Series › 1997
These records cover every 1997 BMW 5 Series. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1997 BMW 5 Series. Newest first.
ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.
Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. the recall began may 9, 2006. owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.
On certain passenger vehicles, due to long exposures to certain environmental and operating conditions, the material structure of the front spring strut plate could be affected. in some cases, the strut plate could begin to crack, and eventually it could break. if this occurred, the plate could contact the tire.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could lead to a sudden loss of tire pressure or tire failure.
Remedy
Dealers will install a retaining clip to the underside of the front spring strut plates. The recall began may 17, 2004. owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Owner complaints
1 complaints
Latest complaints
- Air bags
While starting the car the drivers side air bag deployed. *tr
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Windshield wiper inoperation
BMW believes that there IS no indication of a systematic or safety defect concerning the subject wiper relay.the main reason that precipitated the issuance of the service bulletin was to inform dealers of a new relay part number for the subject vehicles since this part number was not included in the part catalogs.odi…
BMW believes that there IS no indication of a systematic or safety defect concerning the subject wiper relay.the main reason that precipitated the issuance of the service bulletin was to inform dealers of a new relay part number for the subject vehicles since this part number was not included in the part catalogs.odi has no complaints alleging wiper failure and bmw's warranty rate (0.13%) does not indicate an existing failure trend.washington-area BMW dealers surveyed by odi reported no complaints relative to the subject relay.a safety defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of the agency resources does not appear warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that no safety-related defect exits.the agency reserves that right to take further action on these maatter if warranted by the circumstanes.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10244242Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead to customer complaints.
- 10135028SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
- 10051519BMW: the high-voltage (hv) battery cells could be damaged if the vehicle IS prevented from entering sleep mode for an extended period of time. Updated 03/11/2013
- 10051439BMW: intermittently goes into park during a msa engine start. The transmission can intermittently go into the park position (p) when msa engine start IS occurring. A drive gear can be selected in order to drive away, and no relevant faults are stored.
- 10044024BMW: wipers lights and front power windows are inoperative. This situation may start and lead to a permanent fault. Also included model F07 (5 series gran turismo) model years up to march 2012.
- 10032987BMW: instrument cluster-failure of displays/functions. Total or partial failure of displays or functions in the instrument cluster. The displays or functions start working again after the vehicle has been parked (sleep mode). Internal error in the processing of incoming messages from the k can bus. There may be various can message errors stored in the fault memory.
- 10029684BMW: service engine soon lamp or the check gas cap warnings are illuminated while driving. When diagnosed, the dme has stored faults for small leak, micro leak, super fine leak, or large leak in relation to the tank ventilation or evaporative system updated 10/27/09.
- 10029605BMW service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The airbag warning lamp (awl) IS illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem may be intermittent. Microcracks in the OC3 seat mat. Updated 9/30/11.
- 10029444BMW: vehicle has a check control message self leveling suspension failed/malfunctioning displayed. At least one of the following fault codes IS stored and IS currently present in the ehc control unit: 5F98 control time fault lifting rear left; 5F99 control time fault lifting rear right; 5F9A control time fault lifting. Model years unknown. Updated 11/17/10.
- 10029257BMW: all instrument dials are inoperative and the illumination of the information display in the instrument cluster IS very bright.
- 10029025BMW: small number of vehicles experience problems ranging from leaking oil filler caps, leaking or broken valve covers, to complete engine failure in extremely cold climate conditions. Moisture accumulating in engine crankcase ventilation valve or hoses can freeze due to low ambient temperatures.
- 10025584N54 rattle noise from turbocharger area. Models E90, E92 and E93 (3 series) 335I and 335xi; E60 and E61 (5 series) 535I and 535xi, all with N54 engine from the start of production to january 17, 2008 production.
- 10025573N52 edk throttle jamming faults 2D09, 2CED and 2CEC. Model E90 and E91 (3 series) and E60 and E61 (5 series), all models up to 11/2005 with N52 engine.
- 10025571Instrument cluster: failure of displays/functions. Model E60, E61 (5 series) and E63, E64 (6 series).
- 10015410Check engine lamp illuminated and/or vehicle overheats. BMW E90 (3 series) all E90 (3 series) and E60 (5 series) models equipped with N52 engine.
- 10007262Recall campaign 04v-183 front strut plate repair for potential breakage. Questions and answers mostly asked by customers.
- 10007035Recall campaign 04v-183 front spring strut plate could potentially crack.
- 601210Subject regarding the abs/asc warning lights illuminated during dynamometer test.
- 54154Situation on the srs airbag light comes "on" and stays illuminated for up to two minutes after starting vehicle.
- 53951Radio disolay on mid does not appear when ignition IS turned on.
Every BMW 5 Series model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.