1998 BMW 528I Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 9%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 BMW 528I, 9% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The wiring harness that enters the trunk lid that supplies the lights for the rear license plate and the trunk lid release has frayed at the exact point where the harness enters the trunk lid. The wiring comes in direct contact with the sharp edge at the opening in the trunk lid, and several of the wires have broken at this point, resulting in failure of the license plate lights. In addition, the dashboard indicator shows that the trunk lid is open even though it's locked. I performed an internet search and this seems to be a common problem with several Bmw models.”
NHTSA complaint #10368829, filed 2010-11, 115,000 miles“The steering wheel intermittently moves up and down on its own while driving. In addition, the brake lights stay on constantly and the air bag indicator light on the dash comes on intermittently.”
NHTSA complaint #10143505, filed 2005-11, 93,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018For 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…
- 10142928Dec 1, 2017SERVICE 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:
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 33 | 56% |
| 2015 | 36 | 55% |
| 2014 | 26 | 46% |
| 2013 | 14 | 19% |
| 2012 | 12 | 13% |
| 2011 | 9 | 8% |
| 2010 | 11 | 17% |
| 2009 | 5 | 22% |
| 2008 | 30 | 25% |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% |
| 1999 | 3 | 7% |
| 1998 | 3 | 9% |
| 1997 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 BMW 528I
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 BMW 528I
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology