Every 2011 BMW 528I recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 17V683000
Oct 30, 2017Engine and Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V683000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V832000
Nov 17, 2016Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V832000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 16V746000
Oct 17, 2016Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V746000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 14V176000
Oct 4, 2014Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 14V176000 →
2011 BMW 528I complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 528I, reporting 1 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries. BMW has issued at least 341 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine33
- Engine and Engine Cooling32
- Power Train25
- Fuel/Propulsion System17
- Unknown Or Other10
- Electrical System8
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (111)
- Electrical System (85)
- Engine (62)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (39)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (31)
- Fuel System, Gasoline (27)
Read BMW 528I owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 528I. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reported
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. The check engine warning light and brake warning light repeatedly illuminated on and off.”
2011 BMW 528IJul 29, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11605182
Fire
“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.”
2011 BMW 528IJan 31, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11065995
Injury reported
“WE BOUGHT A 2011 BMW 528I WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. WE STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES RIGHT AFTER THAT.”
2011 BMW 528IJun 3, 2016
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10872459
Injury reported
“PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 528I BMW AND WITHIN MONTHS I HAD A COOLANT SIGNAL INDICATING LOW COOLANT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE COOLANT SIGNAL CAME ON EVERY SIX WEEKS, DESPITE HAVING IT TOPPED OFF AT DEALERSHIP. CAR HAD INADEQUATE POWER AND FELT LIKE IT DRAGGED.”
2011 BMW 528IMay 21, 2014
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10594058
“I am filing a complaint regarding the recall work performed on my 2011 BMW 528i for the VANOS bolt safety recall. The recall notice stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive until repaired. I arranged towing to Jackie Cooper BMW in Edmond, Oklahoma because of this safety warning.”
2011 BMW 528INov 17, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11699975
Check your 528I by VIN
Not every 2011 BMW 528I is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
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