Most common 1998 BMW 528i problems
Share of the 33 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 528i complaints by model year
Best 528i years: 2009, 2015, 2014. Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2008, 2013. Compare all years →
What 1998 BMW 528i owners say
Air bags
-Takata -ABS module malfunction due to module being fried by excessively engine heat -dsc system failure due to poor wiring and heat from poor placement in engine bay this has caused multiple issues with drive ability and safety I've been complaining for quite awhile that the car has been having safety issues and BMW ignores me and my complaints.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 BMW 528i. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated five years ago. The contact attempted to use a code reader to diagnose the defect, but no code was discovered. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Transmission & drivetrain
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 when I showed that the problem did not solve, the mechanics added some brake fluid and the problem temporarily disappeared. The dealer did not reimburse the money for inappropriately changing unnecessary components. Again after a few months when I brought the car back when the problem resurfaced due to low brake fluid.r. …
My 1998 BMW 5-series 528i started accelerating on it's own when I was driving, and I had to keep my foot on the brake and almost ran a few red lights. When I parked my car I had to put it in neutral to turn it off and I tried starting it again (with my foot on the brake) and it accelerated w/out being in drive. Now my car jerks every time I'm driving slow and it feels like it's not shifting properly any more.
Body & structure
Tl 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.
The front driver side inside plastic door handle snapped. This caused the consumer to roll the window down to use the outside door handle to exit the vehicle. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. BMW considered the problem to be an integral part/trim and did not honor the warranty. The driver door squeaked upon opening and closing and there was a squeak coming from the right side of the vehicle that would go up to 35 MPH in which the dealer could not duplicate the problem.
1998 BMW 528i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 BMW 528i a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 528i rates average: 35% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 528i at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 BMW 528i?
The air bags — 6 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about side/window. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (4) and body & structure (4).
How many recalls does the 1998 BMW 528i have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 BMW 528i. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 528i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2015 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2012, 2008 and 2013. See the full BMW 528i years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 BMW 528i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 93,000 miles; 11% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.