1999 BMW 528i recalls & problems
The 1999 BMW 528i has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 46 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (9 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1999 BMW 528i.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
528i
| City / highway | 18 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
528i
| City / highway | 16 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
528i Touring
| City / highway | 16 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
528i Touring
| City / highway | 16 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags Side/window; Frontal | 9 | 137,000 mi |
| Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal | 7 | 92,901 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 6 | 73,050 mi |
| Power train Automatic transmission; Clutch assembly | 4 | — |
| Structure Body › Door; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments | 4 | — |
| Service brakes, air Antilock › Control unit/module; Antilock › Wheel speed sensor | 4 | 52,000 mi |
| Exterior lighting Tail lights; Brake lights | 3 | — |
| Electrical system | 3 | 85,000 mi |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Steering Steering wheel/handle bar | 2 | — |
| Tires | 2 | — |
| Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner | 2 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- May 8, 2023Air bags
BMW just issued a Do Not Drive order for BMW 5 series cars from 2000 to 2006. Our car is a 1999 BMW 528I. According to your safety records, this car also has Takata air bags, but I see no indication these have been recalled. Since they are actually older than the 2000-2006 cars, shouldn't these 1999 Takata air bags be just as dangerous? What should I do about this? Thank you. - May 23, 2019 · 137,000 miles · 1 injuryAir bags
TAKATA INFLATORS: MY NEPHEW WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. BOTH THE DOOR AIRBAG AND THE CURTAIN AIRBAG EXPLODED. - Jun 12, 2019 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags
WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA POLICE INSURANCE FRAUD STAGED ACCIDENT ATTEMPTED MURDER. OFFICER [XXX] RELEASED A DRIVER IN THE ACCIDENT AND FILED A FALSE ACCIDENT REPORT WITH CAUCASIAN MALES. ACCIDENT REPORT WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA ONLINE. [XXX] AND [XXX] DAMAGE DON'T EQUAL DAMAGES TO MY CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR - Aug 18, 2018 · 200,000 miles · 1 injuryAir bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 528I. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED EYE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED THE BMW MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN BMW DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. - Dec 5, 2015 · 97,654 milesService brakes
I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY 528I (BMW 1999) THIS PAST WINTER WHEN I NOTICED THE POWER BRAKES WERE NO LONGER WORKING. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE PEDDLE WITH NO ASSIST, AND WHILE THE CAR DI EVENTUALLY STOP, IT COULD HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNATE IF MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER WERE FACED WITH THIS CONDITION SUDDENLY. POWER BRAKE BOOSTER APPARENTLY WENT BAD, WATER LEAKING IN AND FREEZING, FORTUNATELY NO ON E INJURED. - Mar 23, 2015 · 104,888 milesAir bags
MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH TURNED ON. I READ THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. IS THIS TRUE? *TR - May 10, 2011 · 108,000 milesEquipment
I RECENTLY USED THE JACK IN MY 1999 BMW 528I FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER A FEW DAYS AGO. THE JACK IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE CAR. IT IS LABELED FOR 1997 AND 1998 CARS - NOT THE 1999 I OWN. WHILE JACKING TO REMOVE A TIRE THE JACK POPPED OF PLACE WITH FORCE AND THE CAR FELL. LUCKILY I HAD NOT REMOVED THE TIRE. I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE CORRECT JACK. BMW POLICY IF TO NOT ADDRESS ANY ISSUE AFTER THE 4YEAR/50,000MILE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED....EVEN IF IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THE NHTSA CAN ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH BMW USA. *TR - Sep 2, 2010 · 171,900 miles · crashVehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. SHE WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE AND CRASHED INTO TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD BE OUT TO INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER REMOVED THE BLACK BOX FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT MECHANICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 171,900. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.