1999 BMW 528I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 9%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 BMW 528I, 9% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,000 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 transmisson failure nearly resulted in an accident when the car stopped in the middle of an intersection and I was nealry hit in the drivers side. The horn failure nearly resulted in an accident when a woman began to drive into the side of my vehicle - I had a car behind me so I could not apply the brakes instead I saw myself clear and crossed double solid yellow lines on to the oncoming traffic side in order to avert an accident. That was the first timei ever had to use the horn in the vehicle and it did not work.”
NHTSA complaint #723864, filed 2000-06“Ive contacted bmwna and nothing has been done. They have ignored many many attempts to resolve this problem. Lawsuit being considered. No safety defect.”
NHTSA complaint #740602, filed 2001-02Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 13 | 18% |
| 2012 | 20 | 22% |
| 2011 | 25 | 21% |
| 2010 | 9 | 14% |
| 2008 | 15 | 13% |
| 1999 | 4 | 9% |
| 1998 | 4 | 12% |
| 1997 | 5 | 12% |
Other parts of the 1999 BMW 528I
12 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 BMW 528I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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