Bmw 528 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
122,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1982 to 2000 model years. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 20 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
1995: 1; 2000: 4; 2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 746507 · 2001-06-06 (June 6, 2001)
THE THIRD/MIDDLE REAR BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING HAS MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP WHEN USING BRAKES FOR EXTENDED TIME PERIODS (E.G., WHEN STUCK IN VERY SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC). THIS HAS CAUSED THE RED LENSE TO MELT OVER THE BULB, THEREBY POSING A RISK OF FIRE AND PREVENTING THE CAR FROM BEING INSPECTED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT USING THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION DUE TO THE RISK OF FIRE (I HAVE SMELLED THE BURNING PLASTIC). THE HOUSING AND LIGHTING ASSEMBLY ARE ALL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT IT WILL NOT FIX THE SAFETY HAZARD E…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 854652 · 2000-01-22 (January 22, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT FRONT AND BACK BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE BAD. VEHICLE ALSO DIDN'T PASS THE INSPECTION. DEALER WILL ONLY TAKE $200.00 OFF FOR SERVICE. CINSUMER SAID THAT THERE WAS ONLY 10,000 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 854652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10188102 · 2007-04-17 (April 17, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 528. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE HEADLIGHTS, AND THEY BEGAN BLINKING ,AND THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE LIFTED THE HOOD, AND ATTEMPTED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED, BUT BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IWAS 121,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970148 · 2017-04-03 (April 3, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 BMW 528. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE AND FLAMES AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE HOOD ALSO INDEPENDENTLY OPENED AND REVEALED FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 124,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10970148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153889 · 2006-03-28 (March 28, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DOWN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION ONLY. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 72,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060936 · 2004-02-27 (February 27, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER PULLED OUT OF THE ROAD, OPENED THE HOOD, AND FOUND MANY WIRES WERE MELTED DUE TO ENGINE REACHING HIGH TEMPERATURES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10060936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10745657 · 2015-08-02 (August 2, 2015)
I BOUGHT THE 1997 BMW 528I OFF LEASE. IT WAS MY SECOND BMW. THE PRIOR BMW HAD VIRTUALLY NO PROBLEMS. I GUESS THE SECOND ONE HAD TO MAKE UP FOR THE FIRST ONE. IF I ONLY HAD A NICKLE FOR EVERY TIME I WISHED I HADN'T TRADED FOR THE SECOND ONE. 1. THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THIS WAS TO HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF. WHENEVER I DROVE THE CAR I HAD TO KEEP ONE EYE ON THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE AT ALL TIMES (IT WOULD HEAT UP VERY FAST). THE BMW DEALERS…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10745657 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
1986: 1; 1987: 1; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0