KnownCarProblems2015 BMW 528i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW 528i, most often about the engine (72% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is 6th of 12 528i model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2015 BMW 528i problems
Engine
47 complaints · 72%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a significant amount of smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pan gasket and other unknown parts were leaking and needed to be replaced. The…
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated…
Electrical
36 complaints · 55%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a significant amount of smoke coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pan gasket and other unknown parts were leaking and needed to be replaced. The…
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 11%While I was driving on the highway I heard a loud bang and had glass rain down on me from my just exploded sunroof. I thought it might be from a rock being ejected from the truck in front of me but I followed the truck until they stopped and their load was empty.
Body and structure
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: body.
Driving on interstate 26 in charleston, sc on christmas day. Light traffic, beautiful day. With no warning, we heard a loud crash, almost an explosion, from the roof of our car. Very startling but was able to control the steering and get off the road. Got out of the car and saw that our sunroof was destroyed. Glass…
Transmission
3 complaints · 5%On september 22, 2016. My 2015 BMW 528i vehicle had a drivetrain malfunction. The car died on the 95northbound and I was in the speedlane in motion going over 70 miles an hour and the car when into a dead stop and almost caused over a 30 car pileup. I was almost killed! This car is 1 years old and should have not…
Oil leaks engine compartment (all over) gaskets, oil filter housing , bottom of engine and bad smell enters to driver compartment even it is on inside circulation( oil burn smells,etc from engine dept)
Fuel system
3 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the diagnostic test showed that the fuel rail system was defective and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 BMW 528i recalls
Electrical: connectors/plugs/receptacles
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 defect summary
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2015 BMW 528i
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW 528i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (47 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); electrical (36 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); other or unspecified (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2015 BMW 528i have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 13, 2024 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the BMW 528i?
- It is 6th of 12 528i model years by number of complaints, with 65 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.