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 on the passenger side. The dealer stated that he would be responsible for the repair costs because the vehicle was too old. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V183000 (suspension:front). The failure mileage was 205,730.

- Hawaiian Gdns, CA, USA

BMW customer states that strut plate failed in Feb 2007 and discovered there had been a recall on this vehicle for exactly this defect*

- Des Moines, IA, USA

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 at 800-831-1117 did not result in any assistance with regard to my vehicle. They were only able to confirm two other recall services that had been performed. My insurance company is offering me a settlement for total loss, but I would prefer that the car be repaired and that BMW bear their share of the cost for the substantial portion of damage due to the known defect.

- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA