2000 BMW 528i recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.
What could happen: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 528I.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 00V048000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 15, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2000 BMW 528i owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (11), Airbags (10), Wheels / tires (4), Brakes (4), Steering (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/02/2023 · Engine · fire
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…
08/29/2020 · Unknown Or Other
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 WA…
07/14/2020 · Steering
WENT ON DATA BASE NHTSA THAT SAYS MY VEHICLE HAS 3 RECALLS . WHAT DO I DO N GO TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS
11/10/2018 · Seats · fire
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 JUS…
10/29/2018 · Engine · fire
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 DEPARTMEN…
07/16/2018 · Lights · fire
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…
06/23/2017 · Airbags
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
04/25/2012 · Wheels / tires
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…