Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
1725–50K
950–75K
1275–100K
16100–150K
6150K+
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
168,000 miles · Jan 6, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE WAS OPENED AND HE NOTICED WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE WATER WAS SIPHONED FROM THE TRUNK WITH A PUMP. BMW OF COLUMBIA (LOCATED AT 250 KILLIAN COMMONS PARKWAY, COLUMBIA, SC 29203, (803) 404-5400) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
NHTSA ODI #11297388
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
5 miles · Aug 7, 2019
EnginePower TrainSteering
CAR STALLS, AND A BUNCH OF MALFUNCTIONS ARISE, ULTIMATELY LEAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
NHTSA ODI #11242402
106,000 miles · Mar 22, 2019
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT WIRING IS SHORTING OUT DUE TO THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE WIRING DEGRADING. THIS ISSUE IS CURRENTLY ONLY AFFECTING THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUT HAS CAUSED A SHORT IN THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WHICH, WITHOUT REPAIR, WILL EVENTUALLY AFFECT THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE A SHORT IN ONE HEADLIGHT CAN …
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HEADLIGHT WIRING IS SHORTING OUT DUE TO THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE WIRING DEGRADING. THIS ISSUE IS CURRENTLY ONLY AFFECTING THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUT HAS CAUSED A SHORT IN THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WHICH, WITHOUT REPAIR, WILL EVENTUALLY AFFECT THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE A SHORT IN ONE HEADLIGHT CAN LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM LEAVING ME WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. THIS ISSUE IS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY WIRING WHICH DEGRADES IN HIGHER HEAT WHICH SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA ODI #11190830
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2019
Power Train
THE VEHICLE SLIPS WHEN ACCELERATING (ESPECIALLY UPHILL). IT LOST POWER TWICE AND I RESET THE MODULES BY TURNING ON THE ELECTRICAL AND STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR FOR 30 SECONDS. BUT IT CONTINUES TO SLIP
NHTSA ODI #11164950
95,000 miles · Oct 5, 2018
Seats
THE DRIVER SEAT REQUIRED CALIBRATION. I TRIED TO DO IT MYSELF AND STILL HAVE THE MESSAGE ON THE BOARD THAT REQUIRED CALIBRATION.
NHTSA ODI #11133496
109,327 miles · Sep 25, 2018
Power TrainSteering
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POPPED OUT OF GEAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. AND STALLED
NHTSA ODI #11131601
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2018
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF BAYSIDE, 266 E SHOE RD, GREAT NECK, NY 11023, 516-…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF BAYSIDE, 266 E SHOE RD, GREAT NECK, NY 11023, 516-304-3700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11118124
149,853 miles · May 1, 2018
Engine
RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE PCV HEATER(BLOW-BY-HEATER) WHICH ALSO CAUSED MY ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE DEC 2017, THE RECALL DIDN'T GET REPLACED UNTIL ALMOST MAY OF 2018. DURING THIS TIME I HAD TO STORE MY OWN VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT DOWN THE DAY OF THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS NOW EXPERIENCE WHISTLING, SHAK…
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RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE PCV HEATER(BLOW-BY-HEATER) WHICH ALSO CAUSED MY ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE DEC 2017, THE RECALL DIDN'T GET REPLACED UNTIL ALMOST MAY OF 2018. DURING THIS TIME I HAD TO STORE MY OWN VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT DOWN THE DAY OF THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS NOW EXPERIENCE WHISTLING, SHAKING/VIBRATION OF THE CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON. THE RECALLED FAILED MY CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP INITIALLY AGREED TO THIS OVER PHONE BUT THEN RETRACTED THEIR STATEMENTS IN TEXT MESSAGES. I HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND TO BE TREATED AS SUCH IS A DISGRACE. THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING NOW CORRELATES WITH THE PROBLEMS OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11091218
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2018
Engine
PVC POSSIBLE OVERHEATING CAUSING A FIRE , RECALLED BUT BMW SAY THEY DON'T HAVE A FIX SINCE OCTOBER 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.
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.
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.
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.
2011 BMW 528I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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