RoadVitals

2000 BMW 528I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
42
Latest Oct 2, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Feb 17, 2000
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 42 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 BMW 528I, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and interior & seats categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 13 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1123.4%
  • Airbags714.9%
  • Interior & seats510.6%
  • Tires & wheels48.5%
  • Brakes48.5%
  • Electrical36.4%
  • Driver assistance36.4%
  • Steering36.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Feb 17, 2000
17,700 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2023
Fire reported

The contact owned a 2000 BMW 528i. The contact stated that shortly after arriving home and with the vehicle parked in his garage, he observed first white smoke and then brown smoke emanating from the engine compartment. While waiting for emergency services, the contact stated that he then observed flames engulfing the engine compartment and heard a loud pop. As a result, the contact reported extensive smoke damage to the interior of the garage. The local fire department arrived and extinguished the fire, and a fire report was filed. A police report was also filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic; instead, the contact has stored the vehicle at his home. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11547795
Incident
Sep 28, 2023
Mileage
102,000 mi
Filed Aug 29, 2020

THE SHIFTER ON THE CONSOLE WILL HANG UP GET STUCK OFTEN WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE THEN FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IT WON'T SHIFT ALL THE WAY TO DRIVE IT KEEPS STOPPING IN NEUTRAL NOW WHILE IT'S IN NEUTRAL I CAN PULL BACK ON THE SHIFTER AND HOLD IT IT WILL CATCH DRIVE PARTIALLY BUT U HAVE TO KEEP PULLING BACK ON THE SHIFTER AND HOLD IT BUT IT DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY IN DRIVE IT'S JUST ON THE FRONT EDGE AND IF U LET GO OF THE SHIFTER IT DROPS BACK INTO NEUTRAL IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD CAUSE U CANT GO FORWARD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER MOTORISTS ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES OF PUSHING THE SHIFTER FORWARD INTO PARK AND THEN PULLING THE SHIFTER BACK TO DRIVE AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES OF DOING THIS IT WILL EVENTUALLY GO INTO DRIVE AND IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T EVEN SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT HAVING TO WIGGLE THE SHIFTER BACK AND FORTH AND THEN PULLING THE SHIFTER BACK WITH TWICE THE FORCE THAT U WOULD NORMALLY USE TO SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND DIRECTLY ONTO A MAIN ROAD I LIVE ON AND ITS HAPPENED IN PARKING LOTS WHEN TRYING TO LEAVE A RESTAURANT OR GAS STATION ETC.

NHTSA ID
11351928
Incident
Aug 29, 2020
Mileage
123,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 14, 2020

WENT ON DATA BASE NHTSA THAT SAYS MY VEHICLE HAS 3 RECALLS . WHAT DO I DO N GO TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS

NHTSA ID
11339253
Incident
Feb 20, 2000
Mileage
192,094 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 10, 2018
Fire reported

AS I WAS DRIVING MY BELOVED 2000 BMW 528I ON 11/9/2018 AT 2:15 PM, ON ROUTE 12 SOUTH IN DUCK, NC, TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE HEATED SEATS WERE NOT TURNED ON. NO DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON, EXCEPT FOR A REAR TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR THAT HAD APPEARED WITHIN THE LAST WEEK. I HAD JUST DRIVEN THROUGH A RAIN SHOWER, SO THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, BUT I HAD TURNED THE WIPERS OFF. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. I GOT OUT TO LOOK UNDER THE FRONT SEAT BUT THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE SEAT THAT WAS CAUSING A PROBLEM. WHEN I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE 911 OPERATOR, FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT. THE DUCK NC POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND ATTEMPTED TO US A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT THE SEAT KEPT BURNING. THE DUCK NC FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS JUST A FEW HUNDRED YARDS DOWN THE ROAD AND WHEN THE ARRIVED THEY FILLED THE FRONT SEAT WITH WATER. AS I WAS CLEARING MY POSSESSIONS OUT OF THE CAR, I NOTICE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL ON, SO I TURNED THEM OFF. ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 145,000 MILES ON IT, I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND I HAD KEPT IT IN MINT CONDITION. I HAD A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC PERFORM THE MAINTENANCE WORK. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018, THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH A NEW BMW BATTERY. OTHER THAN MAINTENANCE WORK, THE CAR HAD NEVER HAD ANY ENGINE COMPONENTS FAIL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IT WAS A GREAT VEHICLE. PICTURES OF THE BURNT SEAT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ARE INCLUDED.

NHTSA ID
11150678
Incident
Nov 9, 2018
Mileage
145,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO A STOP, WHEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THERE WAS A CRACKING SOUND THEN FLAMES WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES BUT COULD NOT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 283,000.

NHTSA ID
11143746
Incident
Oct 26, 2018
Mileage
283,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 16, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 528I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF FUNCTIONALITY WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. BMW OF DALLAS (6200 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TEXAS 75209, (972) 763-5528) WAS CONTACTED VIA VOICEMAIL REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS ON FIRE. A STORE EMPLOYEE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.

NHTSA ID
11111712
Incident
Jul 15, 2018
Mileage
198,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 23, 2017

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE STATIONARY I WAS CHANGING THE BATTERY WHEN I PUT THE BATTERY IN AND CONNECTED IT THE AIRBAGS BLEW UP DESTROYED THE DASH STEERING WHEEL AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THIS CAR IS OFF AND PARKED

NHTSA ID
11000929
Incident
Jun 23, 2017
Mileage
133,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 25, 2012

NEW TIRES EAGLE F1 ASYMMETRIC BOUGHT AND INSTALLED IN MAY 2011 ( UNKNOWINGLY REC'D 2007 PRODUCTION TIRES ) AND THEN REMOVED MY TIRES FOR WINTER TIRES IN NOVEMBER 2011. WHEN REINSTALLING THE SUMMER TIRES THIS SPRING / APRIL 2012, MULTIPLE BUBBLES WERE APPARENT ON 3 OF THE TIRES AND THE 4TH TIRE HAD A BUBBLE AS WELL. WAS TOLD BY AN INDEPENDENT GOODYEAR TIRE VENDOR THAT THE BUBBLES RESEMBLED THE EFFECTS IMPACT DAMAGE. FURIOUS AND PUZZLED AS TO HOW THESE BUBBLES APPEARED AFTER HAVING SAT A WINTER INDOORS AND NO DAMAGE WAS APPARENT WHEN THE TIRES WERE REMOVED ( ON RIMS ) AT SEASON'S END. THE TIRES WERE DISMOUNTED AND REMOUNTED THIS SPRING. THE BUBBLES EMERGED AFTER REINFLATING THEM. HOW COULD THERE BE MULTIPLE IMPACT BUBBLES IN DIFFERENT SPOTS ( ALL ON OUTSIDE ) ON THE SAME TIRE AND ALL TIRES HAVE THESE BUBBLES? GOODYEAR IS TRYING TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY AND ONLY WILLING TO GIVE A PERCENTAGE AS GOODWILL ! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HAD AN ISSUE OTHER THAN EARLY TIRE WEAR LET ALONE ALL FOUR TIRES WITH MULTIPLE BUBBLES ON 3 OF THE 4 TIRES ! BEING SHIPPED TIRES THAT WERE 4 YEARS OLD COULD NOT HAVE HELPED THIS SITUATION. VERY FRUSTRATED BY THE WHOLE DRAWN OUT HANDLING AND PROCESSING BY GOODYEAR. THEY ARE DENYING FAULT WHICH WILL BE FOUGHT AND PROVEN TO THEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10456501
Incident
Apr 4, 2012

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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

B160623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

B013118

AIR BAGS

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

B013118

AIR BAGS

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

B011618

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

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

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 528I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016594166.7
2015621155.2
2014563158.9
2013734152.7
2012894154.6
20111174050.2
2010652049.6
2009222046.9
20081182051.7
2007110
2001200
2000Viewing421046.5
1999460040.3
1998330035.5
1997410039.1
1996000
1995000
1994000
1993000
1992000
1991000
1990000
1980200
1979100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.