KnownCarProblems2000 BMW 528i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 BMW 528i, most often about the engine (26% of complaints, typically around 94,500 miles). It is 9th of 12 528i model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2000 BMW 528i problems
Engine
11 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Cold start issues. Car wants to stall upon start up. When car finally warms up the idle smoothes out. The gas mileage is dropping due the malfunctioning seals in the double vanos system. BMW has known about this problem for a long time and they refuse to do anything about it.
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…
Air bags
7 complaints · 17%Parts named most often: side/window.
BMW 2000 model 528: driver's side airbag deployment without impact or inertial cause. No bumps, potholes or objects struck the vehicle. I was knocked out for ~ to 8 seconds at 75 MPH.
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
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 10%A bubble in the rear passenger tire caused a blow out. Consumer pulled over and changed the tire. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Pirelli p245/451794.
Steering
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: column.
The steering wheel of the car became 'free spin' with no control on the wheels while the car was make a turn. Apparently, the steering wheel rod broke. The car is BMW 538i year 2000 purchased brand new. Win number: []. It has 34,900 files on it and is under warranty. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of…
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 528i. While driving 20 MPH, and attempting to make a right turn the steering wheel continued to turn to the right and the wheels were straight. Unable to gain control of the vehicle it moved forward into oncoming traffic. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and the diagnosis was a bolt or…
Electrical
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Engine overheated/radiator failed (after only 53000 miles), causing catastrophic damage to engine block and cylinder head. No instrument cluster indication of overheating. Engine had to be replaced at a cost of $9400. Manufacturer's warranty ended at 50000 miles.
Abs control module fails ~ 5 minutes of starting the car. Abs, stability control system, and speedometer all fail and stop functioning. Control module must be replaced at a cost of ~$1500 to fix.
Brakes
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The ABS / dsc control module on my 2000 528i BMW failed. When this happens the odometer and speedometer both stop working. I would also think that the ABS safety feature for stopping the car and traction control is compromised.
Doors and locks
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: doors.
While in my garage exiting the vehicle, the interior driver's door handle broke off into my hand, making it impossible to exit the vehicle from the drivers seat unless the window was rolled down. Upon inspection, it was determined that the handle was entirely made of plastic. The car was taken to niello BMW in…
Tl contact owns a 2000 BMW 528i. The rear driver side door will not open from inside or outside the vehicle. In addition, both rear doors would not lock. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 87,421.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 BMW 528i recalls
Lights: switch
Risk: If this happens, the brake lamps either will not operate or will be continuously illuminated, regardless of brake pedal position.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the existing brake lamp switch with an improved switch.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2000 BMW 528i
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 BMW 528i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (11 complaints, typically around 94,500 miles); air bags (7 complaints); wheels and tires (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2000 BMW 528i have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 17, 2000 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the BMW 528i?
- It is 9th of 12 528i model years by number of complaints, with 42 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.