BMW 528 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 28 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the BMW 528, across 4 model years (1997–2000). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (13). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
BMW 528 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 528 year: 1997. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 528: 13 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 528: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 528: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common BMW 528 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All BMW 528 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 528 | 5 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1999 528 | 3 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1998 528 | 7 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1997 528 | 13 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 528 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1997 (13) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 528 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the BMW 528?
Electrical System, with 4 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 528 have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.