1999 BMW 5 Series
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 22 of 91 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 75 in 1998 to 91 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–4,850 | 3,100–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | 3,700–4,850 | 3,700–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–21 | 16–20 | 16–21 | 16–21 | 16–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–18 / 22–26 | 14–17 / 22–26 | 14–18 / 19–26 | 14–18 / 19–26 | 14–18 / 19–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–555 | 444–555 | 423–555 | 423–555 | 423–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 106 | 75 | 91 | 98 | 101 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 14 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 BMW 5 Series have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 BMW 5 Series?
Brakes: 22 of 91 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 BMW 5 Series get?
EPA rates it 16–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 BMW 5 Series?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 16 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 4.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 14 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 16 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 16 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 13 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING · Campaign 19E058000 · Aug 28, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 99V005000 · Jan 21, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5HP24 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. PREMATURE WEAR OF THE RING GEAR CAN OCCUR, LEADING TO THE LOSS OF 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, AND REVERSE GEARS.
Consequence: IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE CAR MAY NO LONGER OPERATE IN REVERSE, 1ST, 2ND, OR 3RD GEARS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES · Campaign 99V004000 · Jan 21, 1999
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE CABLE INSULATION CAN BE WORN AWAY, EXPOSING THE WIRE. THE WIRE COULD CONTACT THE CLIP OR A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL APPLY A THICKNESS OF INSULATING TAPE TO THE CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE CLIP, AND INSTALL A REVISED CLIP.