Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 528i | 59 | 4 |
| 2015 528i | 65 | 1 |
| 2014 528i | 57 | 3 |
| 2013 528i | 73 | 4 |
| 2012 528i | 90 | 4 |
| 2011 528i | 118 | 4 |
| 2010 528i | 65 | 2 |
| 2009 528i | 23 | 2 |
| 2008 528i | 118 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 528i | 42 | 1 |
| 1999 528i | 46 | 0 |
| 1998 | 33 | 0 |
| 1997 | 41 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine205
- Electrical system187
- Engine and engine cooling180
- Power train106
- Fuel/propulsion system81
- Air bags79
- Unknown or other66
- Exterior lighting62
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 109 528i vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 46 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 9 | 3 |
| 2015 | 10 | 2 |
| 2014 | 16 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 | 1 |
| 2012 | 9 | 2 |
| 2011 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010 | 12 | 8 |
| 2009 | 9 | 3 |
| 2008 | 16 | 8 |
| 2000 | 4 | 3 |
| 1999 | 6 | 5 |
| 1998 | 3 | 3 |
| 1997 | 4 | 1 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 5 model-year variants; 5 of 5 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2015 BMW 528 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
| 2014 | 2014 BMW 528 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
| 2013 | 2013 BMW 528 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
| 2012 | 2012 BMW 528 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
| 2011 | 2011 BMW 528 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 13 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 8.5–11.4 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 528i xDrive · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 10.5 | 6.9 | 8.9 |
| 2015 | 528i Sedan · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 10.4 | 7.1 | 8.9 |
| 2014 | 528i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 10.2 | 7.0 | 8.8 |
| 2013 | 528i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 9.8 | 6.8 | 8.5 |
| 2012 | 528i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 9.9 | 6.8 | 8.5 |
| 2011 | 528i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 11.0 | 7.4 | 9.4 |
| 2010 | 528i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 8.2 | 10.4 |
| 2009 | 528i Sedan · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.8 | 8.3 | 10.8 |
| 2008 | 528i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 8.3 | 10.7 |
| 2000 | 528i · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.0 | 8.9 | 11.2 |
| 1999 | 528i · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.0 | 8.9 | 11.2 |
| 1998 | 528i · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.4 | 8.9 | 11.4 |
| 1997 | 528i · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.4 | 9.0 | 11.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
14 campaigns cover the 528i; the latest 12 are below.
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing 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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, MINI Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S, MINI Cooper Clubman, and Cooper S Clubman, 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost, and 2016 528i vehicles. The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) for the driver's seat may not lock as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
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."
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
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.
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
NHTSA recalls