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1998 BMW 528I problems

The most common problem on the 1998 BMW 528I is airbags, typically around 80,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical 528I model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
33
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
19
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-20mpg

The worst 1998 BMW 528I problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    6
  • Body
    4
  • Steering
    4
  • Transmission
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Electrical
    3
  • Locks
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 BMW 528I

Airbag light 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 BMW 528I 19

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 19 bulletins for the 1998 BMW 528I

1998 BMW 528I fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.8L 6‑cylRWD16-1724-2619-20

What 1998 BMW 528I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 26, 2019 · Airbags · 80,000 miles · CT

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.

Filed Mar 2, 2018 · Seats · 151,980 miles · TX

The left side of the driver seat only tilts forward and backward a little and the other side stays stationary. All other seat functions work except that.

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 273,000 miles · CA

-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.

Filed Dec 6, 2011 · Airbags · 85,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 bmw 528i. The contact stated that after engine start up, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the air bag sensors needed to be reset. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 93,000.

Filed Nov 29, 2010 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · NJ

The wiring harness that enters the trunk lid that supplies the lights for the rear license plate and the trunk lid release has frayed at the exact point where the harness enters the trunk lid. The wiring comes in direct contact with the sharp edge at the opening in the trunk lid, and several of the wires have broken at this point, resulting in failure of the license plate lights. In addition, the dashboard indicator shows that the trunk lid is open even though it's locked. I performed an internet search and this seems to be a common problem with several bmw models.

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Transmission · NJ

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.

Filed Sep 14, 2009 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · PA

No reverse gear. The reverse gear in the transmission stopped working.

Filed Feb 18, 2009 · Steering, Transmission · 82,000 miles · MI

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. After I drove the car out of dealers premise, the engine started getting heated up. I brought the car back and left it with the dealer who called me the next day asking me to pay about $250 to change the thermocouple, which I authorized. However, after several hours the dealer claimed that the engine was still getting heated up and demanded an open authorization so that they could open up the engine. When I asked him how much it could cost me, the dealer told me that it would cost up to $5000. The dealer held my car for over 14 days without giving me a temporary car or verifying whether the engine was really getting heated up after he changed the thermocouple. The dealer claimed that it would be dangerous to drive the car in that condition. After 14 days, despite writing to bmw america and the dealers head office, the dealer kept on claiming that I would have to authorize them for further work that might cost me at least $1500. Finally, I decided to take the car from the dealer and give to another mechanics who found out there was no problem with the engine. Till now the engine does not heat up.

Filed Jan 19, 2009 · Steering · AZ

While driving down the highway (maricopa hwy) my steering wheel began to spin around and it had no affect on the steering of my bmw, in other words I could not or I have lost the steering capacity, the steering wheel just spins.

Filed May 15, 2008 · Locks · 50,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 bmw 528i. The contact stated that the driver side door handle inside the passenger compartment would fall off in her hand. The failure occurred a total of eight times and prevented her from exiting the vehicle. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The contact repaired the failure herself on seven occasions because it would cost $249 to repair it at a dealer. The current mileage was 117,000 and failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

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Questions about the 1998 BMW 528I

Is the 1998 BMW 528I reliable?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 1998 BMW 528I, fewer than a typical 528I model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 BMW 528I?

Airbags, with 6 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is body (4).

How many recalls does the 1998 BMW 528I have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 528I get?

Official estimates for the 1998 BMW 528I range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16-17 city and 24-26 highway.

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