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BMW 528Years to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on record for the BMW 528.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints31Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls41982–2000 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

BMW 528 years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 528 median. Tap a year for its full report.

'82'83'86'87'88'97'98'99'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2000Not rated–/1005 complaints · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/10013 complaints · 0 recalls1988Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1987Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1983Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1982Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common BMW 528 problems

All model years combined: 31 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system42
Service brakes, hydraulic41
Air bags32
Steering30
Engine and engine cooling30
Seat belts20
Exterior lighting22
Power train20
Seats20
8 other systems100
4 recalls

BMW 528 recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Brake lights: switch86V-151 · 1986–1987 · Nov 10, 1986 · 97,300 vehicles–Steering: steering wheel/handle bar82V-122 · 1983 · Dec 9, 1982 · 1,012 vehicles–Power train: axle assembly82V-108 · 1982–1983 · Nov 2, 1982 · 1,347 vehicles–Vehicle speed control82V-010 · 1982 · Jan 28, 1982 · 3,780 vehicles
6 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the 528

  1. HEATER CORE FAILUREEA92017 · 1984–1992 · closed Mar 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-015
  2. MSTR CYL FAILS TO RELEASEEA90002 · 1985–1987 · closed Oct 30, 1990
    No recall
  3. BRAKES DRAG & FAILPE89142 · 1985–1987 · closed Oct 12, 1989
    No recall
  4. HEADREST FAILUREPE89090 · null · closed Jun 26, 1989
    No recall
  5. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHEA89007 · 1985 · closed Jul 26, 1989
    No recall
  6. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILUREPE88086 · 1985 · closed Dec 23, 1988
    No recall