1999 BMW 528I Problems
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 BMW 528I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1999 BMW 528I. The part named most often is brakes, with 12 complaints (26% of the total), followed by air bags (9) and vehicle speed control (7). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 84,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 8 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.
- Brakes12 26%
- Air bags9 20%
- Body and structure4 8.7%
- Electrical system3 6.5%
- Exterior lighting3 6.5%
- Other or unknown3 6.5%
- Equipment2 4.3%
Also reported: Steering (2), Tires (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Engine cooling (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1).
Example complaints
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.”
NHTSA complaint #10893683, filed 2016-08, 97,654 milesAir 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11255209, filed 2019-09, 137,000 milesVehicle speed control: “Common ABS asc+t electronic control unit failure disabled odometer, speedometer, cruise control, automatic door locks, and alarm disabled, anti-lock brakes disabled, and stability control disabled. The car can no longer be locked to keep out intruders, the odometer is disabled and an unknown amount of mileage is being added to the vehicle(also a violation of california vehicle code cvc), the anti-lock brakes and stability control will not work and the car is out right dangerous to drive in bad weather. …”
NHTSA complaint #10362395, filed 2010-10, 94,803 milesBody and structure: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10402116, filed 2011-05, 108,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 104,888 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 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 | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 528i RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 528i Touring RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 528i Touring RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 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 1999 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, 2018Air bags, Electrical system. 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, 2017Electrical system, Engine cooling. 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 1999 BMW 528I have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1999 BMW 528I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 BMW 528I is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 12 complaints (26% of the total), followed by air bags with 9.
Has the 1999 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 1999 BMW 528I get?
The EPA rates the 1999 BMW 528I (528i, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 BMW 528I reported?
Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 84,000 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 104,888 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.