1998 Bmw 528I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 25 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 24.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 12.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 12.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 12.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 8.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Steering: 3; Air Bags:Side/Window: 2; Electrical System: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 4; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 10143505 · 2005-11-22 (November 22, 2005)
THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY MOVES UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANTLY AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205426 · 2007-10-11 (October 11, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 528I. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FOR THE WINDOW BURNED THROUGH THE HOUSING AND FELL INTO THE TRUNK. THE BULB LANDED BY THE FUEL TANK. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. FURTHERMORE, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HANDLES FAILED TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DOORS WOULD ONLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259194 · 2009-02-18 (February 18, 2009)
TWO MAJOR COMPLAINTS: 1. TRANSMISSION OF THE CAR BROKE DOWN COMPLETELY WITHIN 82,000 MILES. I HAD TO SPEND A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. 2. POWER STEERING OF THE CAR HAD EXPERIENCED LEAK SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. STILL AFTER SO MANY YEARS THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY RECTIFIED DESPITE THE FACT THAT I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER. 3. AFTER I GAVE MY CAR TO THE ANN ARBOR BMW DEALER, ONCE THEY REPLACED SOME UNRELATED MECHANICAL COMPONENTS THAT COST ME OVER $600. HOWEVER, AFTER PAYING THE MONEY WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10283907 · 2009-09-14 (September 14, 2009)
NO REVERSE GEAR. THE REVERSE GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215271 · 2008-01-17 (January 17, 2008)
98 528I, AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. REPAIR MADE BY BMW DEALER AS PER TSB 61-2000. DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS. REPAIR BYPASSED ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION. DEALER AND BMW N/A DECLINED TO COVER REPAIR ALTHOUGH ACKNOWLEDGING DEFECT IN THE WIRING HARNESS. STATED THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE HARNESS AS OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN 61-20-00 FROM 2003. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 62,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10368829 · 2010-11-29 (November 29, 2010)
THE WIRING HARNESS THAT ENTERS THE TRUNK LID THAT SUPPLIES THE LIGHTS FOR THE REAR LICENSE PLATE AND THE TRUNK LID RELEASE HAS FRAYED AT THE EXACT POINT WHERE THE HARNESS ENTERS THE TRUNK LID. THE WIRING COMES IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGE AT THE OPENING IN THE TRUNK LID, AND SEVERAL OF THE WIRES HAVE BROKEN AT THIS POINT, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE TRUNK LID IS OPEN EVEN THOUGH IT'S LOCKED. I PERFORMED AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10368829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255525 · 2009-01-19 (January 19, 2009)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY (MARICOPA HWY) MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SPIN AROUND AND IT HAD NO AFFECT ON THE STEERING OF MY BMW, IN OTHER WORDS I COULD NOT OR I HAVE LOST THE STEERING CAPACITY, THE STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10255525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013404 · 2002-07-08 (July 8, 2002)
CONSUMER SMELLED GAS WHILE DRIVING,.TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC ,AND THEY STATED THAT CONSUMER HIT SOMETHING AND IT PUNCTURED GAS TANK, CAUSING A LEAK. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT PLASTIC GAS TANK. HOW EASY IT WAS TO PUNCTURE IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013404 at NHTSA ↗