NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 59 owner complaints for the 1998 BMW 5 Series. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (18) and air bags (7). The EPA rates it 16–20 mpg combined.
ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SHAFT WITHIN THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY WAS PRODUCED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE SURFACE HARDENING. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE SHAFT EXPERIENCING PREMATURE WEAR.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each 5 Series model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 69 |
| 1998 | 59 |
| 1999 | 70 |
| 2000 | 75 |
| 2001 | 65 |
| 2011 | 479 |
| 2012 | 194 |
| 2013 | 127 |
| 2014 | 151 |
| 2015 | 100 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2019 | 40 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2024 | 13 |
“DRIVING ON ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 10MPH AND SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE HOOD. PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED COOLANT SYSTEM AND FOUND THAT THE NECK HAD BROKEN OFF THE RADIATOR(COMMON PROBLEM WITH E39) ALLOWING COOLANT TO SPRAY INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS TRAVELLING SLOWLY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER RAPIDLY BEFORE CAR OVERHEATED. COULD HAVE CAUSED A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT HAD OCCURED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED OLD RADIATOR WITH AN AFTERMARKET BRAND THAT IS MORE ROBUST THAN BMW RAD. I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE USING A BMW RADIATOR DUE TO THEIR CHEAP AND FLAWED DESIGN.”
“While stopped (engine still running) at a gas station, the driver side airbag and driver side side curtain airbag both went off. The battery disconnect feature was also triggered. Very lucky I wasn't driving when this occurred.”
“TL*THE 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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 528i Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| 528i Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| 540i Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| 540i Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 22 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (18), air bags (7), structure (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 BMW 5 Series at 16–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).