Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Seats complaints

2 reports

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75,353 miles · Jan 25, 2019

EngineSeatsService Brakes

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PULLED A NHTSA REPORT ON THIS VEHICLE AND SAW NOTHING DANGEREOUS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE UNTIL WE GOT IT INSPECTED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ATHENS BMW IN ATHENS,GEORGIA AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD US THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW THE VEHICLE MADE IT TO THEIR SHOP. THERE WERE OVER 30 BOLTS AND SCREWS MISSING FROM THE ENGINE AND IN THEIR WORDS, "THE ENGINE WAS RAISING UP LIKE A HEART BEATING OUT OF ITS CHEST." WE GOT A 2ND OPINION FROM, EURO AUTO PRO IN LILBURN, GEORGIA AND THEY CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED VALVE SEALS AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN WRECKED IN THE FRONT. NEITHER WAS DISCLOSED TO US FROM THE NHTSA NOR THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD BY ATHENS BMW THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THAT CONDITION. THE VEHICLE IS SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WE JUST PURCHASED IT ON DECEMBER 13, 2018. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK.

NHTSA ODI #11172045

44,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018

SeatsInjury

I STARTED THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE HEATED SEATS AND WENT INSIDE. I CAME BACK OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER AND SAT DOWN. I SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC AND COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT UNTIL MY BACKSIDE WAS BURNED BY THE HEATING ELEMENT. I HAD SECOND DEGREE BURNS FROM THE SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #11080253

Official recalls

15V188000 · Exterior Lighting

Mar 31, 2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service 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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.