KnownCarProblems2011 BMW 528i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 528i, most often about the engine (56% of complaints, typically around 93,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 528i model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW 528i problems
Engine
66 complaints · 56%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
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 contact stated that the…
Was at my fianc grandads funeral saturday 02/06/2021 and the car started acting strange immediately I heard strange noice coming from the front of the engine got a diagnosis and mechanic told me vvt issues got if fixed at a certified BMW tech and on his bulletin I seen the recall and he told me about this recall and…
Transmission
25 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles.
When I press the accelerator to start driving, there is a very distinct and uncomfortable lag of about 2 seconds. This happened when I was making a right turn into a two-way divided road from a residential complex. The visibility to the left is limited to about 200 ft due to a curve in the divided road. When I start…
This was the 1st out of 3 times my vehicle stalled while driving. I was very nervous,scared and upset being that I had told BMW that the coolant was constantly showing me low coolant light along with possible engine damage. But they would always try to erasure me the problem was fixed.I felt that all the gentleman at…
Fuel system
23 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles.
The throttle body of the 2011 model of the BMW 528i has been faulty since day 1. The car jerks at low RPM making it dangerous during driving situations. The slow response time of the throttle can cause accidents. There is about thousands of complaints that BMW received over the years and they still are not issuing a…
As my car was stopped at a red light, I felt a quick jerk forward and thought I was rear-ended. I looked back and there wasn't a car. As I pulled into my parking space, I was switching from reverse to drive, the car jerked again, like I was being rear ended. It felt like the car was skipping a gear (I drive an…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 9%While driving down the street at 40 MPH I heard a loud explosion type sound. I pulled over after making sure it was safe and noticed my sunroof glass had shattered into a million pieces. It looked as if it had exploded from within the car outwards. I contacted the dealer and BMW of america and both said that it was…
As of sept 2016 all BMW connect drive features have been disabled by BMW of n america. This means if you hit your sos button it may call a local 911 line ??? There is no way to send information to car you cannot locate your car remotely driver is unable to send location of car to anyone and BMW has no upgrade for a…
Electrical
9 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: starter assembly.
This vehicle has a hesitation of throttle acceleration from idle and shifting between gears.presents a real safety issue from idle position to acceleration. A 1-2 second delay consistently happens. The BMW dealer reported to me that they are aware of this situation but do not have a solution yet. If enough reports of…
Prior to any knowledge of a safety recall on my car I reported an abnormal sound coming from my engine. I had called BMW roadside about the noise I heard. I asked for them to take it to the dealership to have it looked at. Ever since that first time of me hearing a strange noise there has been 3 separate engine shut…
Speed control
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
This was the 1st out of 3 times my vehicle stalled while driving. I was very nervous,scared and upset being that I had told BMW that the coolant was constantly showing me low coolant light along with possible engine damage. But they would always try to erasure me the problem was fixed.I felt that all the gentleman at…
When I press the accelerator to start driving, there is a very distinct and uncomfortable lag of about 2 seconds. This happened when I was making a right turn into a two-way divided road from a residential complex. The visibility to the left is limited to about 200 ft due to a curve in the divided road. When I start…
Steering
6 complaints · 5%Prior to any knowledge of a safety recall on my car I reported an abnormal sound coming from my engine. I had called BMW roadside about the noise I heard. I asked for them to take it to the dealership to have it looked at. Ever since that first time of me hearing a strange noise there has been 3 separate engine shut…
Suspension
4 complaints · 3%Day after raining, passenger side floor mat getting wet. We also found water leaking from out side to passenger side floor. We complained to dealer and maker for several times. They are not fixing vehicle. When they said found problem and fixed, it has same problem over and over.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 BMW 528i recalls
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
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 defect summary
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.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
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 defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
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 defect summary
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.
Engine
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 defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2011 BMW 528i
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 528i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (66 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles); transmission (25 complaints, typically around 44,500 miles); fuel system (23 complaints, typically around 48,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 528i have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 30, 2017 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the BMW 528i?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 528i model year since 2000, with 118 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.