Every 2016 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 24V608000
Aug 13, 2024Engine and Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Pump
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 24V608000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V914000
Dec 20, 2016Air Bags
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 16V914000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 16V747000
Oct 17, 2016Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) may activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 16V747000 →Child Seat · NHTSA 15V718000
Oct 30, 2015Child Seat
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 15V718000 →
2016 BMW 528I complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW 528I, reporting 1 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries. BMW has issued at least 208 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
- Electrical System33
- Engine and Engine Cooling26
- Engine17
- Air Bags5
- Fuel/Propulsion System5
- Unknown Or Other5
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (69)
- Electrical System (49)
- Engine (31)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (30)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (16)
- Fuel System, Gasoline (14)
Read BMW 528I owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2016 BMW 528I
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW 528I. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“On January 29, 2020, while driving my 2016 BMW 5 Series under normal operating conditions, the engine compartment caught fire without warning. Smoke and flames originated from the engine bay while the vehicle was in motion. I was forced to pull over and exit the vehicle immediately.”
2016 BMW 528IJan 27, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11713522
Injury reportedFire
“My coolant line overheated. From the leaking water pump and pcv that exploded all over my engine causing it to overheat and now how has not turned back on.”
2016 BMW 528INov 2, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11697057
Fire
“The contact owned a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at 30 -35 MPH with the windows down, there was a smoke odor present. The contact pulled over into a parking lot and smoke was discovered coming from the front of the vehicle.”
2016 BMW 528IOct 23, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11621539
Fire
“CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF FOR 2.5 HOURS. IT HAPPENED WHILE PARKED, IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT AND NO ONE WAS INSIDE THE CAR AT THE TIME.”
2016 BMW 528IApr 11, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11407469
Injury reportedCrash
“TAKATA RECALL,, 12-20-2017 I WAS IN A COLLISION. MY VEHICLE REAR ENDED A VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO STOP. I WAS ALONE IN MY VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL AND KNEE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.”
2016 BMW 528IApr 9, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11083916
Check your 528I by VIN
Not every 2016 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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