Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 BMW 528i, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags9
- Vehicle speed control7
- Service brakes, hydraulic6
- Structure4
- Power train4
- Service brakes, air3
- Electrical system3
- Exterior lighting3
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
- Unknown or other2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 8 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 6 1999 528i vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 11.2–12.5 L/100 km (about 19–21 mpg US), CO₂ 258–288 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 528i · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.0 | 8.9 | 11.2 |
| 528i Touring · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 14.5 | 9.8 | 12.4 |
| 528i · Compact · Premium gasoline | 14.6 | 9.9 | 12.5 |
| 528i Touring · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 14.6 | 9.9 | 12.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1999 BMW 528i.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 1999 BMW 528i: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 601927 | SUBJECT REGARDING 2.5 AND 2.8 LITER SIX CYLINDER ENGINES. *YC |
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10160287 | TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. |
| 10160244 | TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. |
| 10154816 | 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 allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for open Takata recalls; and get rewarded for helping us with completing repairs. |
| 10153726 | TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES. |
| 10152674 | Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide |
| 10149557 | 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 Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if there is a defect in materials or workmanship of the Takata driver?s side airbag module in a listed vehicle. |
| 10142928 | 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: |
| 10135028 | SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)