VehicleVerdict

2011 BMW 528i problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 164 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median 528i year — the 2011 model ranks #2 of 17 528i years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 65 reports (40% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

164

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other 528i years?

528i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted181 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 2 complaints1997: 49 complaints1998: 39 complaints1999: 59 complaints2000: 53 complaints2001: 3 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 181 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 87 complaints2011: 164 complaints2012: 145 complaints2013: 119 complaints2014: 92 complaints2015: 105 complaints2016: 103 complaints
528i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 528i years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 BMW 528i problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine6540%
Transmission2515%
Fuel System2415%
Other106%
Electrical System85%
Steering64%
Speed Control64%
Airbags53%
Suspension42%
Lighting32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Body & Structure21%
Seats11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seat Belts11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2011 BMW 528i have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

17V683000EngineOctober 30, 2017 · 740,561 units

Defect

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

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.

16V832000AirbagsNovember 17, 2016 · 91 units

Defect

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

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.

16V746000Fuel SystemOctober 17, 2016 · 136,188 units

Defect

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

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.

14V176000EngineApril 10, 2014 · 156,137 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 2, 2017 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND REDUCING SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 11, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 30, 2016

“My car started to make a loud clicky sound from under the hood then the car completely stalled and died in the middle of the road and would not restart and had a lot of difficulty moving the car due to not being able to put it in neutral. I have now been without a car since November and BMW has…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 8, 2023

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 2015

2011 BMW 528i — common questions

Is the 2011 BMW 528i reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 164 complaints put the 2011 model at #2 of 17 528i years. It is one of the 528i years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 528i problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (65 complaints), transmission (25 complaints), fuel system (24 complaints).

Does the 2011 BMW 528i have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 BMW 528i. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 528i years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 528i years to avoid are 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2014. The cleanest record among 528i years belongs to 2007.

How safe is the 2011 BMW 528i?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 BMW 528i earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.