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2010 BMW 528I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 BMW 528I do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 46.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

43 reports with mileage · 22 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2025
Electrical System

insulation on wiring is deteriorated leading to possible fire and or shorting out of electrical system

NHTSA ODI #11675067

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2025
Electrical SystemEngine

They lied to me made me buy a bad car and then didn't even give me a license plate of anything they stole my money

NHTSA ODI #11646404

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2023
Air BagsElectrical System

There seems to be a common problem with these vehicles according to similar complaints being discussed in forums. My steering wheel is malfunctioning and creating a safety concern. While driving straight my horn and electrical controls do not function. If I turn the steering wheel to one side then the horn and electrical comp…

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There seems to be a common problem with these vehicles according to similar complaints being discussed in forums. My steering wheel is malfunctioning and creating a safety concern. While driving straight my horn and electrical controls do not function. If I turn the steering wheel to one side then the horn and electrical components work. I am also afraid that the airbag may not function properly because of this.

NHTSA ODI #11551162

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2022
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

The "Secure from Rolling" alert pops up on screen and car is prevented from moving. Engine must be shut off and ignition turned back on to work. Gears/spring probably need replaced per error message.

NHTSA ODI #11493363

138,000 miles · Aug 30, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

FOUND FAULTS FOR VANOS SYSTEM. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAR START MAKING A RATTLE NOISE LIKE SOMETHING BUCKING AGAINST SOMETHING AS I ACCELERATED.

NHTSA ODI #11352066

77,000 miles · Jul 28, 2019
Electrical System

THE INSULATON OF THE WIRING TO BOTH MY HEADLIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT LAMPS IS FLAKING OFF IN SMALL AND LARGE PIECES LEAVING THE COPPER WIRING EXPOSED.

NHTSA ODI #11240170

60,000 miles · Jul 9, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS; THEREFORE, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11110340

98,629 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS. I'VE ALREADY REPLACE THE SPARKPLUGS, COILS, & FUEL FILTER, BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE SUDDEN STOPPING HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING OR WHEN I'M IDLE AT EITHER A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS UNTIL IT COMPLETELY TURNS OFF FROM I'M IDLE AND THERE IS NO WARNING FOR WHEN I'M ACTUALLY DRI…

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MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS. I'VE ALREADY REPLACE THE SPARKPLUGS, COILS, & FUEL FILTER, BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE SUDDEN STOPPING HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING OR WHEN I'M IDLE AT EITHER A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS UNTIL IT COMPLETELY TURNS OFF FROM I'M IDLE AND THERE IS NO WARNING FOR WHEN I'M ACTUALLY DRIVING, IT JUST STOPS.

NHTSA ODI #11053532

95,680 miles · Aug 5, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO BMW IRVINE IN CALIFORNIA FOR A RECALL ON MY TAIL LIGHTS, THEY STOP WORKING, THE RECALL WAS TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES AND THEY ONLY DID ONE. THE SIDE THAT BURN OUT BUT THEY LEFT THE SAME CONNECTOR WHICH WAS BURNT AND WITH THE WIRES LOOSE AND I WASNT EVEN NOTIFY WHEN I PICK THE VEHICLE UNTIL WHEN I START DRIVING …

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I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO BMW IRVINE IN CALIFORNIA FOR A RECALL ON MY TAIL LIGHTS, THEY STOP WORKING, THE RECALL WAS TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES AND THEY ONLY DID ONE. THE SIDE THAT BURN OUT BUT THEY LEFT THE SAME CONNECTOR WHICH WAS BURNT AND WITH THE WIRES LOOSE AND I WASNT EVEN NOTIFY WHEN I PICK THE VEHICLE UNTIL WHEN I START DRIVING THE LIGHT STOPWORKING AGAIN. THEY ANSWER IS NOT T HEIR FAULT DONT CARE. NOW MY VEHICLE DOESN'T RUN AND I GOT ALL KINDS OF WIRED MESSAGES ON MY IDRIVE. HALF WAY DONE RECALLS??? BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI #10893447

57,000 miles · Sep 4, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I RECEIVED A DISPLAYED MESSAGE THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE REAR LAMP. WHEN CHECKING THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND WIRING, I NOTICED THE CONNECTOR ON THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED (PLASTIC) WHERE THE BROWN GROUND WIRE CONNECTED. THE MALE/FEMALE CONNECTOR PARTS GOT SO HOT THAT THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR WAS MELTED WHERE THE GROU…

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I RECEIVED A DISPLAYED MESSAGE THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE REAR LAMP. WHEN CHECKING THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND WIRING, I NOTICED THE CONNECTOR ON THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY WAS MELTED (PLASTIC) WHERE THE BROWN GROUND WIRE CONNECTED. THE MALE/FEMALE CONNECTOR PARTS GOT SO HOT THAT THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR WAS MELTED WHERE THE GROUND WIRE CONNECTS. THIS WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, BUT IT IS LIKELY THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE HEAT GENERATED TO MELT THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE THE GROUND WIRE TO BURN AND THE BRAKE/REAR LIGHTS TO FAIL. WITH A FAILURE OF THE REAR LIGHTS, AN ACCIDENT COULD HAPPEN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541760

Official recalls

2

17V683000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Oct 30, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V407000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Sep 11, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.