1998 BMW 528I Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 6%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,220miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 BMW 528I, 6% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,220 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.
“Driving on entrance ramp to the freeway at about 10mph and saw white smoke coming from the driver's side of the hood. Pulled over and inspected coolant system and found that the neck had broken off the radiator(common problem with e39) allowing coolant to spray into the engine compartment. I was lucky that I was travelling slowly and was able to pull over rapidly before car overheated. Could have caused a dangerous situation if it had occured at highway speeds. Car was towed to mechanic, who replaced old radiator with an aftermarket brand that is more robust than Bmw rad. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125996, filed 2005-06, 112,000 miles“After having the vehicle serviced and a powersteering hose replaced, the vehicle was loosing a lot of fuel in the engine compartment (7 gallons in 10 miles). It turned out to be a fuel line connection on the drivers side in the engine compartment that was not fully connected and sprayed fuel out. The connection is a factory standard quick connect type.. In my opinion, fuel lines should not be of this type of quick connection, since failure to properly connect the lines may have detrimental results. Fuel lines should have threaded or similar type of connection. …”
NHTSA complaint #10032595, filed 2003-08, 66,440 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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:
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 26 | 44% |
| 2015 | 33 | 51% |
| 2014 | 20 | 35% |
| 2013 | 11 | 15% |
| 2012 | 5 | 6% |
| 2011 | 32 | 27% |
| 2010 | 17 | 26% |
| 2009 | 5 | 22% |
| 2008 | 15 | 13% |
| 2000 | 10 | 24% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
| 1998 | 2 | 6% |
| 1997 | 3 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1998 BMW 528I
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 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