1998 BMW 528i problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 1998 BMW 528i have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 BMW 528i. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Q: What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 528i get?

The 1998 BMW 528i has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

1998 BMW 528i at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints33

Combined19–20 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 BMW 528i recalls 1

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) NHTSA Campaign #98V143000 · NHTSA lists this under 528ia · 22/06/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEALING MATERIAL OF THE SWITCH CAN DEVELOP LEAKS AND ALLOW WATER ENTRY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION SWITCH.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 BMW 528i common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Steering

Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Latches/locks/linkages

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1998 BMW 528i MPG & running costs

Combined19–20 mpg

City17 mpg

Highway25 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$3,450

EPA size classCompact Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd

Passenger volume93 cu ft

Cargo volume11 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 BMW 528i costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,250

Fuel only$17,250

Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length

188.2 in

Width

70.9 in

Height

56.7 in

Wheelbase

111.4 in

Curb weight

3,450 lb

Front track

59.1 in

Rear track

59.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 BMW 528i. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 19

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 19.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

Bulletin B510819 · Electrical System, Visibility · Jan 2024

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

Bulletin B013118 · Air Bags · Apr 2019

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

Bulletin B013118 · Air Bags · Apr 2019

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

Bulletin B011618 · Air Bags · Jan 2019

Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide

Bulletin B650916 · Equipment · Nov 2018

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? custo…

Bulletin B011618 · Air Bags, Electrical System · Oct 2018

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;…

Bulletin B080119 · Air Bags · Feb 2018

SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.

Bulletin B122917 · Equipment · Dec 2017

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:

Bulletin B122817 · Electrical System, Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2017

SUBJECT PERTAINING TO DSP AMPLIFIER SWITCHING TO

Bulletin 651998 · Equipment · Feb 1999

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 528I. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the BMW 528i

The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972. It is the successor to the BMW New Class sedans and is currently in its eighth generation. The car is sold as either a sedan or, since 1991, a station wagon. A 5-door fastback was sold between 2009 and 2017. Each successive generation has been given an internal G-code designation since 2017. Previously, a F-code designation was used between 2010 and 2016, while an E-code designation was used between 1972 and 2010. These are used to distinguish each model and generation from each other.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1998 BMW 528i vehicles on record

1998 BMW 528iWBADD632XWBW33234

1998 BMW 528iWBADD61030BR28796

1998 BMW 528iWBADD61030BR28684

1998 BMW 528iWBADD510X0BP25219

1998 BMW 528iWBADD51020BP15414

1998 BMW 528iWBADM51000GS00642

1998 BMW 528iWBADD51080BP15305

1998 BMW 528iWBADD61010BR45032

1998 BMW 528iWBADM51050GS01270

1998 BMW 528iWBADD61000BR46222

1998 BMW 528iWBADD51010BP23455

1998 BMW 528iWBADM61080GN02542

1998 BMW 528iWBADD51040BP19061

1998 BMW 528iWBADD11010BN65529

1998 BMW 528iWBADD51030BP21674

1998 BMW 528iWBADB110001146213

1998 BMW 528iWBADD51030BP19908

1998 BMW 528iWBADD51090BP24711

1998 BMW 528iWBADM51000GS00009

1998 BMW 528iWBADD51060BP25699

1998 BMW 528iWBADD61060BR43292

1998 BMW 528iWBADM61020GN01810

1998 BMW 528iWBADM51010GS00892

1998 BMW 528iWBADH61010BX34093

Other BMW 528i model years

1998 BMW 528i — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 BMW 528i have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 BMW 528i. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 BMW 528i?

Across all 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, power train, structure.

What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 528i get?

The 1998 BMW 528i has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.