1997 BMW 5 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1
Owner Complaint
3
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES
The 1997 BMW 5 SERIES has received a total of 1 safety complaint filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, SUSPENSION:FRONT. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problem area is the Air Bags (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES, potentially affecting up to 317,884 vehicles.
Recall 19E058000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
| 614 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 06E023000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 292,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 04V183000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT
| 25,270 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES
1 complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Safety Rating for the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SI-B-62-01-09 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
BMW: ALL INSTRUMENT DIALS ARE INOPERATIVE AND THE ILLUMINATION OF THE INFORMATION DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS VERY BRIGHT. *PE
04V183 — SUSPENSION
RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-183 FRONT SPRING STRUT PLATE COULD POTENTIALLY CRACK. *TT
04192004 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V-183 FRONT STRUT PLATE REPAIR FOR POTENTIAL BREAKAGE. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MOSTLY ASKED BY CUSTOMERS. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 BMW 5 SERIES
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 5 SERIES
- 1992 BMW 5 SERIES — 0 complaints
- 1993 BMW 5 SERIES — 0 complaints
- 1994 BMW 5 SERIES — 0 complaints
- 1995 BMW 5 SERIES — 6 complaints
- 1996 BMW 5 SERIES — 0 complaints
- 1997 BMW 5 SERIES (current)
- 1998 BMW 5 SERIES — 0 complaints
- 1999 BMW 5 SERIES — 2 complaints
- 2000 BMW 5 SERIES — 3 complaints
- 2001 BMW 5 SERIES — 4 complaints
- 2002 BMW 5 SERIES — 10 complaints