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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

What owners actually said

117 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2016
Unknown Or Other

ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING FROM UPLAND CA IN ROUTE TO LAS VEGAS NV USING HIGHWAY I15 FRWY. TIME WAS AROUND 700 AM THE TEMP OUTSIDE WAS APPRX 12 DEGREES.

NHTSA ODI #10822651

53,000 miles · Nov 21, 2015
Power Train

MY VEHICLE LOSS POWER WHILE DRIVING BABIES TO DAYCARE. THE CARE STARTED SHAKING AND WOULD NOT GAIN POWER IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE TOOK ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO WARM THEN THE INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OF AND NO PROBLEMS. THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS A YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT FOLLOWED BY DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. THE CAR JERKS NOW. I HAVE DONE RES…

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MY VEHICLE LOSS POWER WHILE DRIVING BABIES TO DAYCARE. THE CARE STARTED SHAKING AND WOULD NOT GAIN POWER IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE TOOK ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO WARM THEN THE INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OF AND NO PROBLEMS. THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS A YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT FOLLOWED BY DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. THE CAR JERKS NOW. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND I SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE TO WHO. HAS THIS MODEL CAR. ALSO THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER IN GERMANY MEANING THERE ARE AWARE OF ISSUE. THIS NEEDS A MAJOR RECALL BECAUSE IN SOME OF THE CASES THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC. I PARKED MY CAR UNTIL SOME ONE COULD SAY WHAT THE ACTUAL CASE IS AND FIX. I SEE MOST PEOPLE HAVE TAKING THERE VEHICLES IN MORE THAN 3 TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. I ALSO RESEARCH DRIVETRAIN IN BMW AND ANOTHER MODEL WAS RECALLED AND FIXED. SO I'M THINKING ALL MODELS NEED TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #10795203

38,000 miles · Oct 21, 2015
Electrical System

ACCELERATION AFTER SLOWING DOWN HAS A VERY UNSAFE LAG THAT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DRIVER HAS TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL ALMOST TO FULL THROTTLE TO GET A RESPONSE THEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNSAFELY. DEALER CHECKED THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT IS A SOFTWARE FAULT.

NHTSA ODI #10785209

38,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Engine

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT AROUND 50-60 MPH, THE ENGINE LOW COOLANT WARNING LAMP CAME ON AND INSTRUCTED ME TO GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALER FOR SERVICE IN ORDER TO AVOID ENGINE DAMAGE. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER FULL MANUFACTURER BUMPER TO BUM…

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT AROUND 50-60 MPH, THE ENGINE LOW COOLANT WARNING LAMP CAME ON AND INSTRUCTED ME TO GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALER FOR SERVICE IN ORDER TO AVOID ENGINE DAMAGE. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER FULL MANUFACTURER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO SERVICE AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT A PRESSURE TEST WAS DONE AND NO ISSUE WAS FOUND AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AIR BUBBLES. SOUNDED STRANGE TO ME OF COURSE BUT YOU TRY AND TRUST YOUR BMW DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHEN IT COMES TO DIAGNOSING PROBLEMS. WELL, APPROXIMATELY 85 DAYS LATER, THE SAME ISSUE HAS COME UP AGAIN AND A STRANGE ODOR AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE MAY BE A COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK BECAUSE THEY HAD TO ADD COOLANT. APPARENTLY, THIS IS AN ONGOING MALFUNCTIONING ISSUE Y WITH THE 2011 528 SERIES AND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED. A RECALL NOTICE SHOULD BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY BY BMW. ALL CONSUMERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE IN NEED OF THE NHSA INTERVENING ON OUR BEHALF AND DEMANDING THAT BMM ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10762856

38,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Engine

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT AROUND 50-60 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE LOW COOLANT WARNING LAMP CAME ON AND INSTRUCTED ME TO GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALER FOR SERVICE IN ORDER TO AVOID ENGINE DAMAGE. I WENT TO DEALER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER FULL MANUFACTURER BUMPER…

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT AROUND 50-60 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE LOW COOLANT WARNING LAMP CAME ON AND INSTRUCTED ME TO GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALER FOR SERVICE IN ORDER TO AVOID ENGINE DAMAGE. I WENT TO DEALER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER FULL MANUFACTURER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO SERVICE AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT A PRESSURE TEST WAS DONE AND NO ISSUE WAS FOUND AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AIR BUBBLES. SOUNDED STRANGE TO ME OF COURSE BUT YOU TRY AND TRUST YOUR BMW DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHEN IT COMES TO DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. WELL, APPROXIMATELY 85 DAYS LATER, THE SAME ISSUE HAS COME UP AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE MAY BE A COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK BECAUSE THEY HAD TO ADD COOLANT. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE 2011 528 SERIES AND MALFUNCTION WITH THESE CARS AND BMW NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE IMMEDIATELY TO FIX ISSUES. YOU CAN SMELL AN ODOR IN THE CAR OCCASIONALLY AND WHEN THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON. WE NEED THE NHSA TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF THE CONSUMERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10762823

30,000 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DEVICE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DEVICE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10735948

43,000 miles · May 17, 2015
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING AND STOPING AT A STOP SING AND ACCELERATE THE CAR LAG TO MOVE. ALSO WHEN ACCELERATEING AT LOW SPEED THE CAR JERKS.

NHTSA ODI #10716913

44,573 miles · May 11, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

I AM EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM. AFTER GETTING NOWHERE WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, I ESCALATED THE MATTER TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, BUT THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST. I FEEL THEY ARE NOT TAKING THE MATTER SERIOUSLY AND MY SAFETY IS AT RISK. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE REPEATEDLY REL…

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I AM EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM. AFTER GETTING NOWHERE WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, I ESCALATED THE MATTER TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, BUT THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST. I FEEL THEY ARE NOT TAKING THE MATTER SERIOUSLY AND MY SAFETY IS AT RISK. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE REPEATEDLY RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM: I DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK AND LEAVE IT PARKED. WHEN I COME BACK TO LEAVE FOR LUNCH, THE CAR WON'T START ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE CRANKS AND THE BATTERY IS FINE. THE ONBOARD SYSTEM DISPLAYS THE SAME FUEL SUPPLY WARNINGS. AFTER HOURS OF REPEATED ATTEMPTS (OR UP TO A DAY LATER IN ONE INSTANCE), THE CAR DOES EVENTUALLY START. (ALL OF THIS CAN BE CONFIRMED INDEPENDENTLY. I TOOK PHOTOS/VIDEOS TO SHOW THE BMW TECHNICIANS, AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SENT TOW TRUCKS.) THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP ATTRIBUTED IT TO A FAULTY CONTROL MODULE, SAID IT WAS A "COMPUTER GLITCH" AND CLAIMED TO FIX IT BY REPROGRAMMING IT. THE SECOND TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE SAME CONTROL MODULE, BUT THIS TIME THEY REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR IF IT COULD BE THE FUEL PUMP INSTEAD BUT HE SAID THEY TESTED IT AND IT WAS FINE. THE DAY AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. I ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION BUT THEY COULDN'T PROVIDE ONE. I THEN CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA DIRECTLY BUT THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT THE CAR OR EVEN PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE PREVIOUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS. IF THE FUEL SUPPLY PROBLEM IS DUE EITHER TO THE CONTROL MODULE OR THE FUEL PUMP, THEN THESE PARTS APPEAR TO BE PRONE TO FAILURE EVEN WHEN NEW (IN THE CASE OF THE NEWLY REPLACED CONTROL MODULE) OR TESTED AS WORKING FINE (IN THE CASE OF THE FUEL PUMP). IF IT IS DUE TO SOMETHING ELSE, THEN WE SHOULD FIND OUT WHAT IT IS.

NHTSA ODI #10715571

85,080 miles · Mar 2, 2015
StructureSuspension

DAY AFTER RAINING, PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MAT GETTING WET. WE ALSO FOUND WATER LEAKING FROM OUT SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. WE COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND MAKER FOR SEVERAL TIMES. THEY ARE NOT FIXING VEHICLE. WHEN THEY SAID FOUND PROBLEM AND FIXED, IT HAS SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691505

21,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

THERE IS HESITATION OR DELAY WITH THIS VEHICLE UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES ACCELERATE IT ALMOST GIVES YOU WHIP LASH. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU ARE AT INTERSECTION AND UNABLE TO PROCEED THROUGH IT INITIALLY AND THEN YOU ACCELERATE AT A SIGNIFICANT RATE. IT IS SO FRUSTRATING. AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DR…

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THERE IS HESITATION OR DELAY WITH THIS VEHICLE UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES ACCELERATE IT ALMOST GIVES YOU WHIP LASH. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU ARE AT INTERSECTION AND UNABLE TO PROCEED THROUGH IT INITIALLY AND THEN YOU ACCELERATE AT A SIGNIFICANT RATE. IT IS SO FRUSTRATING. AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I HOPE I DO NOT GET A NECK INJURY FROM TAKING OFF SO SUDDENLY AND I PRAY THAT WHEN I DO ACCELERATE, IT IS NOT INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683169

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.