1999 Bmw 528I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
84,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 46 complaints (13.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 37.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Air Bags: 5; Air Bags:Side/Window: 3; Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 21 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 | 5 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 4; 2002: 5; 2003: 2; 2004: 8; 2005: 6; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2019: 3; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10057045 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)
ENGINE SURGES WHEN COLD IN COLD WEATHER (<45 DEG). SURGING CAUSES VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD IF AT A STOP. COULD INJUR PEDESTRIAN IF BRAKE NOT PRESSED WITH FORCE. BMW APPARENTLY AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072461 · 2004-05-12 (May 12, 2004)
1999 BMW 528IT - ASC/ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. LOSS OF ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND SPEEDOMETER.COMMON ON 99 MODEL YEAR/55K MILES .NOTED WIDELY ON BMW WEB FORUMS.$1200 REPAIR ALWAYS OUT OF WARRANTY. NO ACKNOWLAGEMENT , RECALL OR HELP FROM BMWNA.
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083681 · 2004-11-09 (November 9, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR AND BECAME STUCK. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106597 · 2005-01-19 (January 19, 2005)
I BOUGHT A 1999 BMW 528I NEW. I BROUGHT THE CAR REGULARLY INTO SERVICE BASED UPON THEIR PRESCRIBED SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THIS CAR. AT 49,600 MILES ON THE CAR AND EXACTLY 5 YEARS OLD, THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THIS CAR FAILED. BMW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION UNDER THE WARRANTY. IN DECEMBER 2004, WITH 64,205 MILES I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS AFTER CAR IS WARMED UP. AT 64,605 MILES, CAR BREAKS DOWN ON ROAD AND IS TOWED INTO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT A NEW MOTOR IS NEEDED. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,605 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128989 · 2005-07-16 (July 16, 2005)
THE TILT FUNCTION ON THE STEERING WHEEL RAMDONLY ACTIVATES WHICH RESULTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL MOVING UP AND DOWN WHICH IS A SURPRISE TO THE DRIVER. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NO ERROR INDICATORS SHOW UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147772 · 2006-01-14 (January 14, 2006)
ABS CONTROLLER FAILURE. SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING, ODOMETER FROZEN, FUEL GAUGE INOPERATIVE, NO AUTOMATIC STEERING CONTROL, NO ABS PROTECTION FOR EMERGENCY STOPS. KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM YET BMW, TO DATE, HAS ISSUED NO RECALL THAT I KNOW OF, AS CARS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 78,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10147772 at NHTSA ↗