NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
65 reports95,680 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
69,000 miles · Mar 9, 2016
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
NHTSA ODI #10845770
68,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Air BagsSeats
2010 BMW 528I, HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND AIR BAG SYSTEM LIGHTS STAY ON. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET FORUMS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW.
NHTSA ODI #10783325
1,007,900 miles · Oct 7, 2015
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT COMES TO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE RPM GOES TO AROUND 4000 AND TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING SIGN COMES. I HAVE TO PULLOVER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER THAT IT RUNS SMOOTH. IT HAPPENS ONCE A WHILE. IN LAST TWO MONTHS IT HAPPENED SIX TIMES. TWO TIMES I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND HARDLY SURVIVED FROM THE AC…
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WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT COMES TO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE RPM GOES TO AROUND 4000 AND TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING SIGN COMES. I HAVE TO PULLOVER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER THAT IT RUNS SMOOTH. IT HAPPENS ONCE A WHILE. IN LAST TWO MONTHS IT HAPPENED SIX TIMES. TWO TIMES I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND HARDLY SURVIVED FROM THE ACCIDENTS. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA ODI #10780675
115,000 miles · May 18, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
WHILE HAVING MY OIL CHANGED, I TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT I SMELLED A LITTLE BIT OF GASOLINE WHEN DRIVING AND TO CHECK IT OUT. I WAS SHOWN THAT UNDER THE BACK SEAT, BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE THERE IS A SENDING UNIT AND A FUEL LINE THAT TRANSFERS GAS FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER. THIS PLASTIC COMPONENT HAS A TIP WHERE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTS…
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WHILE HAVING MY OIL CHANGED, I TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT I SMELLED A LITTLE BIT OF GASOLINE WHEN DRIVING AND TO CHECK IT OUT. I WAS SHOWN THAT UNDER THE BACK SEAT, BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE THERE IS A SENDING UNIT AND A FUEL LINE THAT TRANSFERS GAS FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER. THIS PLASTIC COMPONENT HAS A TIP WHERE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTS. THIS TIP CRACKED AND BROKE (NO IDEA WHY), LEAKING AND POOLING GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR, DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT AND FILLING THE CAR WITH HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE FUMES. SO MUCH SO THAT THE MECHANIC I TOOK THIS CAR TO, WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE IT OUT OF THERE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAD ME LEAVE THIS CAR FOR FIVE DAYS AT A BMW DEALERSHIP WHILE THEY WENT THROUGH THEIR PROCESS. THEN, THEY INFORMED ME THEY ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT OR A FLAWED DESIGN.MY CAR IS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD AND IS KEPT IN PERFECT CONDITION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. I FEAR I WILL READ ABOUT SOME PERSON OR FAMILY BEING BURNED ALIVE AND I FEEL I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IF YOU NEED THEM.
NHTSA ODI #10717066
50,000 miles · Apr 9, 2015
EnginePower Train
WHILE DRIVING CAR BEGAN SLUGGISH AND THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE #2 AND #5 ENGINE COILS. I REPLACED THOSE. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME PROBLEM ENGINE COIL #2 HAD TO BE REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM - ENGINE COILS #1, #2, AND #5 HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO EXPLANATION …
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WHILE DRIVING CAR BEGAN SLUGGISH AND THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE #2 AND #5 ENGINE COILS. I REPLACED THOSE. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME PROBLEM ENGINE COIL #2 HAD TO BE REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM - ENGINE COILS #1, #2, AND #5 HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO EXPLANATION FOR THE CONTINUED PROBLEM. THEIR ONLY SUGGESTION IS TO HAVE THEM ALL REPLACED. SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A BIGGER PROBLEM HERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704634
120,000 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SEAT WILL NOT RELEASE FROM LATCH; POSING A SAFETY HAZARD. NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10695353
62,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR IN SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS COMPLAINT TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE A SEVERE GAS FUME SMELL IN MY CAR, IN MY TRUNK AND AROUND MY CAR. HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND PARK AND RETURN TO THE CAR TYPICALLY. SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND TURN OFF THE CAR. IF I PARK IN MY GARAGE THE GARA…
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I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR IN SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS COMPLAINT TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE A SEVERE GAS FUME SMELL IN MY CAR, IN MY TRUNK AND AROUND MY CAR. HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND PARK AND RETURN TO THE CAR TYPICALLY. SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND TURN OFF THE CAR. IF I PARK IN MY GARAGE THE GARAGE SMELLS LIKE GAS/GAS FUMES FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT AFTER TESTING BY THE DEALER THAT THERE IS NO GAS LEAK. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. HAPPENS MAINLY IN THE WARMER MONTHS BUT, I LIVE IN AZ SO THAT ACCOUNTS FOR 9 MONTHS. I FEEL THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, THE FUMES ARE NOXIOUS AND REMAIN IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR FOR AWHILE. I ASK MY CHILDREN TO GET IN THE CAR WHEN IT SMELLS LIKE GAS FUMES UPON PICKING THEM UP FROM SCHOOL. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS IN AZ AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH GAS FUME SMELLS CONSUMING THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR NOR GARAGE. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE HAVE SURFACED IN RENO AND TUCSON. SUGGESTING THIS MAY BE A RESULT OF THE GAS BEING DIFFERENT IN THESE TWO CITIES. THAT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE AS I FREQUENTLY BUY GAS IN PHOENIX AND HAVE GAS FUME ISSUES. I CANNOT GET THE DEALER TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM TO THE EXTENT OF A SOLUTION. I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL NOR ACCEPTABLE. I FELL UNSAFE WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I FELL UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR AND WORRY ABOUT BEING HIT BY SOMEONE WITH GAS FUME ISSUES IN THE TRUNK AND CAR AND I HAVE RELAYED SUCH TO THE DEALER REPEATEDLY. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE DEALER AFTER THE LAST SERVICE CHECK FOR LEAKING GAS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS SAFE AND TO CARRY ON WITH MY 2 HOUR COMMUTE ON A BUSY FREEWAY AND THEY WOULD CHECK WITH OTHER DEALERS WHERE THE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HAD RISEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639153
77,067 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON 9-2-14 SURROUND 11:30 AM AC UNIT STOPPED WORKING, COMPRESSOR ON THE AC UNIT IS IN FUNCTION, HOWEVER THE AC FAN IS NOT BLOWING AIR, THERE IS NO MALFUNCTION ON FUSES OR RELAYS, THERE'S MIGHT BE AN INDICATION OF THE FSU OR FINAL STAGE UNIT AS OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10630775
56,600 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,600.
NHTSA ODI #10607763
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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 ↗