1998 BMW 528I Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles, 18 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 BMW 528I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 528I. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (18% of the total), followed by steering (4) and body and structure (4). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 11% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 89,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 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.
- Air bags6 18%
- Steering4 12%
- Body and structure4 12%
- Electrical system3 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control3 9.1%
- Engine cooling2 6.1%
- Exterior lighting2 6.1%
- Brakes1 3.0%
Also reported: Electronic stability control (1), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “-takata -ABS module malfunction due to module being fried by excessively engine heat -dsc system failure due to poor wiring and heat from poor placement in engine bay this has caused multiple issues with drive ability and safety I've been complaining for quite awhile that the car has been having safety issues and Bmw ignores me and my complaints.”
NHTSA complaint #10928923, filed 2016-11, 273,000 milesSteering: “Two major complaints: 1. Transmission of the car broke down completely within 82,000 miles. I had to spend a large amount of money to replace the transmission. 2. Power steering of the car had experienced leak since I bought the car. Still after so many years the problem has not been properly rectified despite the fact that I brought this to the attention of the dealer. 3. After I gave my car to the ann arbor Bmw dealer, once they replaced some unrelated mechanical components that cost me over $600. …”
NHTSA complaint #10259194, filed 2009-02, 82,000 milesBody and structure: “The front driver side inside plastic door handle snapped. This caused the consumer to roll the window down to use the outside door handle to exit the vehicle. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Bmw considered the problem to be an integral part/trim and did not honor the warranty. The driver door squeaked upon opening and closing and there was a squeak coming from the right side of the vehicle that would go up to 35 MPH in which the dealer could not duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10065194, filed 2004-05, 8,321 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “My 1998 Bmw 5-series 528I started accelerating on it's own when I was driving, and I had to keep my foot on the brake and almost ran a few red lights. When I parked my car I had to put it in neutral to turn it off and I tried starting it again (with my foot on the brake) and it accelerated w/out being in drive. Now my car jerks every time I'm driving slow and it feels like it's not shifting properly any more.”
NHTSA complaint #10320643, filed 2010-03Mileage when problems were reported
11% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,500 and 112,000 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 1998 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 | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 528i RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
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 1998 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 1998 BMW 528I have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 528I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 BMW 528I is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (18% of the total), followed by steering with 4.
Has the 1998 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 1998 BMW 528I get?
The EPA rates the 1998 BMW 528I (528i, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 BMW 528I reported?
Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 89,000 miles and the middle half falls between 62,500 and 112,000 miles; 11% 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.