NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 70 owner complaints for the 1999 BMW 5 Series. Most complaints involve air bags (11) and service brakes, hydraulic (10). The EPA rates it 16–21 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THICKNESS OF THE MAIN POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CABLE (GENERATOR TO STARTER) INSULATION IS LESS THAN SPECIFIED, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING ABRADED OR CUT BY THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE CABLE TO THE GENERATOR.
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 |
“BMW just issued a Do Not Drive order for BMW 5 series cars from 2000 to 2006. Our car is a 1999 BMW 528I. According to your safety records, this car also has Takata air bags, but I see no indication these have been recalled. Since they are actually older than the 2000-2006 cars, shouldn't these 1999 Takata air bags be just as dangerous? What should I do about this? Thank you.”
“THE DRIVER OWNS A 1999 BMW 540I WITH 72,579 MILES. OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS THE DISC BMW ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM ICON AND THE AMBER ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IN ONE OF TWO SCENARIOS: (1) JUST AFTER A NEW IGNITION CYCLE, (2) DURING NORMAL DRIVING. ONCE THESE WARNINGS ILLUMINATED THE DSC, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL. UNTIL RECENTLY, THE WARNINGS WOULD GO OUT AFTER 5-10 IGNITION CYCLES. NOW THEY WERE ON CONTINUOUSLY.*AK NEXT TO SEATBELTS, I STRONGLY BELIEVE ESC IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY. AS SUCH, I FIND IT VERY DISCONCERTING THE SYSTEM ON MY VEHICLE HAS MALFUNCTIONED. RESEARCHING THE TOPIC ON THE VARIOUS BMW FORUMS HAS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE MY SITUATION IS NOT AN ISOLATED ONE; THAT MANY MODEL YEAR 1999-2000 5-SERIES BMWS HAVE ALSO BEEN AFFECTED. ESC MALFUNCTIONS CAN HAVE VERY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON VEHICLE SAFETY. IN JUSTIFYING THE RATIONALE FOR ITS RECENT MANDATE OF ESC, NHTSA ESTIMATES ESC WILL REDUCE SINGLE VEHICLE CRASHES AND ROLLOVERS BY 34 AND 71 PERCENT, RESPECTIVELY. THE AGENCY ESTIMATES THIS TECHNOLOGY WILL SAFE UP TO 9600 LIVES PER YEAR. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU REQUIRE…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V004000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,076.”
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 | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| 528i Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| 528i Touring Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| 528i Touring Man 5-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 Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L, 3MODE · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| 540i Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 21 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| 540i Touring Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 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 |
2 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 70 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (11), service brakes, hydraulic (10), electrical system (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 BMW 5 Series at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).