NHTSA Data Explorer

BMW 528i xDrive

Data refreshed October 26, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the BMW 528i xDrive.

Complaints

583

Active records

Recalls

17

Active records

TSBs

539

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

14

Crashes

9

Fires

26

Top reported issues — BMW 528i xDrive

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

179

Operating state

152

Reporting mechanism

150

Engine behavior

120

Thermal issue

98

Performance issue

71

Fluid issue

68

Safety restraint issue

57

Noise

34

Smell

34

Starting behavior

27

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

25

Vibration/harshness

24

Lighting behavior

20

Electrical issue

19

Powering on/off behavior

17

Access/entry issue

14

Safety restraint behavior

14

Braking behavior

10

Driver assistance issue

8

Recent change

7

HVAC behavior

5

Steering behavior

5

Communication/network issue

2

Infotainment behavior

2

Ride/handling behavior

2

Wiper/washer behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2009 BMW 528I

Filed Sep 27, 2026


1 injured
Fire

CRITICAL SAFETY REPORT: DRIVING FIRE / INJURY / FAILED RECALL REMEDY (CAMPAIGN 12V-126)While driving, my 2009 BMW E60 suffered an immediate, catastrophic electrical fire originating at the positive battery terminal bulkhead connector in the trunk floor. This exact component is the subject of federal safety mandate NHTSA Recall Campaign 12V-126.The fire occurred with zero warning on a public roadway, forcing an emergency roadside stop directly in front of a local preschool, creating an…

2012 BMW 528I

Filed Sep 21, 2026


car engine timing chain guides are faulty and there have been lawsuits that were settled and no recall on the actual part with drivers still having issues with the N20 engine now getting quotes for over $15,000. is this not an incident where it’s not the fault of a driver but manufacturing? This needs to become a recall for all N20 engine timing chain and guides as the faulty part is causing complete engine failure. seems very deceptive when a BMW only last 100,000 miles.

2014 BMW 528I

Filed Sep 11, 2026


The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust and there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The message Engine Temperature High was displayed. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the recall repairs were…

2015 BMW 528I

Filed Aug 28, 2026


Crash

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while driving up a ramp at 5 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted into Neutral (N) and the engine experienced a total loss of motive power. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle rolled backward, struck the front bumper of another vehicle, and stopped upon impact. The vehicle sustained rear bumper damage. The airbags did not deploy. A police report was not filed, and no injuries or property damage were reported. The vehicle was…

2015 BMW 528I

Filed Aug 26, 2026


Fire

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while idling, there was smoke emerging from under the hood, and the contact discovered that the electrical connection for the water pump caught fire. No warning light illuminated. The contact extinguished the fire using a fire extinguisher. No injury was reported, and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump and other damaged components needed replacement.…

2013 BMW 528XI

Filed Aug 24, 2026


The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that due to an unrelated failure with the steering column, the vehicle was towed to a dealer for service. The contact stated that the tow truck driver disconnected the battery prior to the vehicle being towed to the dealer. The contact stated that after the recall repair, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and…

2012 BMW 528XI

Filed Aug 19, 2026


The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle came to a stop and the Automatic START/STOP feature activated; however, the engine failed to restart. The message Drive Train Malfunction Error was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the timing chain had fractured, causing unknown parts to enter the engine. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

2015 BMW 528I

Filed Aug 13, 2026


I am filing an official safety recall non-compliance and documentation fraud complaint against the franchise dealership, BMW of [XXX], regarding their handling of active safety campaigns B110724 (Electric Water Pump) and B120921 (DME Control Unit).Following a severe engine overheating failure related to the water pump recall, both BMW Roadside and the dealership denied my request for a safety tow, forcing me to pay out-of-pocket for a private flatbed. Upon arrival, the dealership held my…

2013 BMW 528XI

Filed Jul 29, 2026


I am submitting this report to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a safety‑related defect involving the BMW N20/N26 engine timing chain assembly. My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine failure at highway speed due to a timing chain malfunction. This failure occurred without warning and created an immediate safety hazard for my [XXX] son, who was driving at the time. Loss of engine power at speed eliminated the ability to accelerate, maintain speed, or…

2016 BMW 528I

Filed Jul 29, 2026


Vehicle: 2016 BMW 528i xDrive (VIN: [XXX]) Safety Issue / Defect Description: Strong, hazardous raw gasoline fumes began entering the passenger cabin and trunk area. On XXX, the vehicle was brought to an authorized dealership (BMW of Sterling) for diagnostic evaluation. The dealership's technician conducted a multi-point inspection and produced video evidence documenting fluid leaking from the top of the plastic fuel tank. The dealership issued Repair Order Quote #$4,824.92 to REPLACE FUEL…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated October 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.