Model year guide

1999 BMW 528I

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 BMW 528I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 82 on record.

1999 BMW 528I — representative photo
Representative photo

1999 BMW 528I at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints49
Combined19–21 mpg

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

1999 BMW 528I recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1999 BMW 528I.

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.

1999 BMW 528I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
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.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1999 BMW 528I MPG & running costs

Combined19–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,375
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$4,875 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 1999 BMW 528I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,875
Fuel only$16,875
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.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 10

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.

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 REGARDING 2.5 AND 2.8 LITER SIX CYLINDER ENGINES. *YC

Bulletin 117598 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 1998

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.

1999 BMW 528I vehicles on record

1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM61080GN07210 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBAHD51080BG22904 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM61050GN06919 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM51070GS05482 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM634XYGU05886 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADP51040GR83715 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM61030GN03128 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADP61030GS41392 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBA36510007286835 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM62080GL54830 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM51060GS01780 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM51050GS02516 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM51010GS04750 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM51080GS02638 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM61070GN05982 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM11030GP19001 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADD61090BR45747 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM51020GS02053 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM51060GS04534 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADP61030GS40680 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADK510809636309 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADD61030BR42567 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM61070GN04850 1999 BMW 528I 1999 BMW 528IWBADM510X0GS01586

Other BMW 528I model years

2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2005 2001 2000 1998 1997 1996 1995 1985 1984 1983

1999 BMW 528I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 BMW 528I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1999 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 1999 BMW 528I?

Across all 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, air bags, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 1999 BMW 528I get?

The 1999 BMW 528I has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–21 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.