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2011 BMW 528I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 528I years

Owner complaints for the 2011 BMW 528I are substantially higher than the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all 528I years →

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

68 reports with mileage · 49 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. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

17 reports
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102,737 miles · Mar 21, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERYTIME THE ENGINE HEATS UP TO NORMAL OPERATION. TEMPARETURE AND THE REVS UP TEMPORARILY MAKING IT DIFFICULT EVERY YEAR TO DO EMISSIONS TESTING

NHTSA ODI #11318898

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THERE ARE A FEW RECALLS FOR MY CAR BUT WEN I PUT IN MY VIN TO SEARCH ,IT SAYS 0 RECALLS BUT I SEEN ONLINE THAT THERE ARE MANY RECALLS

NHTSA ODI #11267213

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

IN-TANK FUEL PUMP SAFETY RECALL - NO. 16V-746, LAST UPDATED 10/13/2016. I ATTEMPTED TO GET THIS RECALL ACCOMPLISHED AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER FROM BMW IN MAR 2017 THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND TO CONTACT MY LOCAL DETAILER FOR THE REPAIRS. I SCHEDULED THE REPAIRS AT BMW ANNAPOLIS ON 21 APRIL 2017 BUT WAS INFORMED THE PARTS W…

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IN-TANK FUEL PUMP SAFETY RECALL - NO. 16V-746, LAST UPDATED 10/13/2016. I ATTEMPTED TO GET THIS RECALL ACCOMPLISHED AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER FROM BMW IN MAR 2017 THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND TO CONTACT MY LOCAL DETAILER FOR THE REPAIRS. I SCHEDULED THE REPAIRS AT BMW ANNAPOLIS ON 21 APRIL 2017 BUT WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE IN FACT NOT AVAILABLE AFTER AN ALL DAY WAIT. I AGAIN CONTACTED BMW ANNAPOLIS TODAY 9 NOV 2017 AND WAS AGAIN INFORMED THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE WHICH REMAINS CONTRARY TO THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM BMW BACK IN MARCH 2017. I BELIEVE WAITING 2 YEARS FOR PARTS IS EXCESSIVE. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

NHTSA ODI #11044946

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH (17730 NORTH FWY, H…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH (17730 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090 (281) 305-8901) STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SENT PARTS TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER TO ORDER THE RECALL PARTS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO MAKE CALLS TO THE DEALER OR SERVICE MANAGER TO ORDER THE RECALL PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11012614

60,680 miles · Jul 13, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

I WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL NUMBER 16V746 BY BMW IN DECEMBER OF 2016. ON 12/20/16 I ATTEMPTED TO GET AN APPOINTMENT AT MY LOCAL BMW DEALER TO REPAIR THE FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. I ALSO TALKED WITH BMW NA, BUT GOT THE SAME ANSWER. I CALLED DEALER AGAIN IN FEBRUARY & MARCH OF 2017, BUT WAS TOLD TH…

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I WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL NUMBER 16V746 BY BMW IN DECEMBER OF 2016. ON 12/20/16 I ATTEMPTED TO GET AN APPOINTMENT AT MY LOCAL BMW DEALER TO REPAIR THE FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. I ALSO TALKED WITH BMW NA, BUT GOT THE SAME ANSWER. I CALLED DEALER AGAIN IN FEBRUARY & MARCH OF 2017, BUT WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL 2017. CALLED DEALER (BMW OF ASHEVILLE) ON APRIL 18TH, STILL NO PARTS. CALLED DEALER ON JULY 6 TO REPORT FUEL VAPORS NOTICED WHEN PARKING THE CAR. TOLD THEY WOULD "PURSUE THE REPAIR PARTS". ON JULY 7TH, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM DAVID REIFF, SERVICE MNGR AT BMW OF A WHO STATED IN THE EMAIL: "MR. THERIEN, I WILL SEE WHAT I CAN DO TO ESCALATE THIS CASE. THE FUEL SMELL IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL PART." ON JULY 7TH, I RESPONDED BY EMAIL: "I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU COULD STATE THAT "THE FUEL SMELL IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL PART." IN A STATEMENT ISSUED BY BMW NA (ALSO ON NHTSA'S WEBSITE) I QUOTE: "THIS SAFETY RECALL INVOLVES THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR MAY BECOME DAMAGED WHICH MAY BE NOTICED BY FUEL ODOR." MY WIFE AND I ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HAVE NOTICED THE SMELL OF FUEL WHEN PARKING THIS 528I. PLEASE EXPEDITE THIS REPAIR FOR THE SAFETY RECALL ON THIS CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW SINCE AT LEAST JULY OF 2015. IT HAS FURTHER BEEN BMW'S OBLIGATION PURSUANT TO RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-746 TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. WE ARE NOW AT 9 MONTHS AFTER THE SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED & 7 MONTHS FROM MY FIRST REQUEST TO COMPLETE THIS REPAIR. THIS NOT A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. UNLESS THIS IS RESOLVED IN A TIMELY FASHION, I WILL FORWARD MY NOTES, EMAILS AND LETTERS TO THE NHTSA IN WASHINGTON AS A FORMAL COMPLAINT. APPARENTLY, BMW DOES NOT INTEND TO DO THESE REPAIRS. PLEASE HELP ME TO GET THIS SAFETY ISSUE RESOLVED WITH BMW. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11005042

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

STILL NO RESOLUTION TO THE SAFETY RECALL ISSUED DECEMBER 2016.

NHTSA ODI #10995779

52,000 miles · May 28, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE 2011 MODEL OF THE BMW 528I HAS BEEN FAULTY SINCE DAY 1. THE CAR JERKS AT LOW RPM MAKING IT DANGEROUS DURING DRIVING SITUATIONS. THE SLOW RESPONSE TIME OF THE THROTTLE CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. THERE IS ABOUT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS THAT BMW RECEIVED OVER THE YEARS AND THEY STILL ARE NOT ISSUING A RECALL ON IT…

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THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE 2011 MODEL OF THE BMW 528I HAS BEEN FAULTY SINCE DAY 1. THE CAR JERKS AT LOW RPM MAKING IT DANGEROUS DURING DRIVING SITUATIONS. THE SLOW RESPONSE TIME OF THE THROTTLE CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. THERE IS ABOUT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS THAT BMW RECEIVED OVER THE YEARS AND THEY STILL ARE NOT ISSUING A RECALL ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10991998

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10984216

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR DRIVE, THE FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ISSUE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO RECEIVING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE.) THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FUEL INTAKE DEF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR DRIVE, THE FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ISSUE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO RECEIVING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE.) THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FUEL INTAKE DEFECT AND THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10972148

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10968880

Official recalls

4

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.

16V832000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Nov 17, 2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit. These SCUs have an acceleration sensor that may have been incorrectly programmed and, as a result, the SCU may not accurately determine if activation and deployment of the air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and head restraints is necessary in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SCU, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

16V746000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Oct 17, 2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

14V176000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Apr 10, 2014

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

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.