27 of the
1,239 complaints filed about the BMW 528I
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
27
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
A critical component failure has rendered my 2016 BMW 528xi inoperable and unsafe. The water pump failed, forcing the car into a safety "limp mode," limiting its speed to approximately 40 miles per hour. This issue mirrors NHTSA Recall 24V-608 regarding an electrical connector on the water pump that can short circuit, potentially causing a "thermal event or fire." The problem began with dashboard warnings about overheating, despite the coolant reservoir being full. Following these warnings, the vehicle entered "limp mode," posing a significant safety risk in normal traffic. The potential for fire is also a major concern. An independent service center has confirmed the water pump and its electrical connector as the point of failure. The failed component is available for inspection by a NHTSA investigator. I contacted BMW's customer relations line and was informed that no remedy is currently available. I must wait for an official letter before any action can be taken, including reimbursement. The representative did not provide a case number, making it impossible to track my complaint. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, or an insurance representative. I am unable to transfer the title because the car cannot pass a safety inspection in its current state. I am in a severe catch-22: I must receive a recall letter for a vehicle that I am unable to finalize ownership of. This failure to assist an owner with a known safety recall has left me stranded with a dangerous, undrivable vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11683511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own bmw 528i 2012. These engines are straight up bad. Timing chain failed at 149K miles with no signs of failure. Just driving down the road when suddenly the car just turns off and goes into neutral on its own. I simply pulled over restarted the car to cylinder misfires, car struggling to accelerate, smoke out the exhaust, and a loud rattling sound. I pulled over had the car towed. I had my car taken to a independent shop for repairs and diagnostics and what I got told was absolutley crazy. The timing chain guides broke off the timing chain, went down into the oil pump and those pieces settled into the pump restricting oil from going to the top of the motor causing the timing chain to start slacking and breaking from the top. He also said one of the Camshaft caps also has a crack in it.The car has been parked in my driveway for 6 months because repairing the motor would cost a ton, and putting in a remanafactured motor with labor cost would cost just as much as buying the same car again. BMW had a lawsuit about the N20/N26 but thats only covered upto 100K miles. Considering my car was running good I had no reason too change anything on this car. Oil changes were done almost every 3-5K miles and the car had no sounds no lights on the dash. I tried to claim the SULEV/PZEV Warranty which is covered upto 150K miles and the dealerships either never contacted me back or they just said no. I even contacted the HQ of BMW and they also refused any repair even with SULEV Warranty. BMW knows 100% these motors have a bad timing chain issue and that these timing chains can fail at any moment. What type of motor fails at 150K miles. Im a college student, my dad gave me this car for graduating high school. I maintained my car so much just for it to fail out of no where and the way it failed could have caused someone to crash into me. Im really upset that BMW isnt taking responsibility for whats wrong and wont recall these timing chains or motor no matter the mileage on the car.
NHTSA complaint #11451630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A F10 2011. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ON SOME REIMBURSEMENT FROM BMW SINCE 2017! NOW I CAN'T FIND ANY RECORD OF THEIR PROMISES M. I BOUGHT MY 528I IN 2015. REPLACES WATER PUMP TWICE, PULLY, TENCH-NOR, MORE THAN 5 TIMES, AND SOME BELTS. IT LAGGED ON THE FWY AND OTHER TIMES IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. EVERY TIME I DROVE IT, IT SMELLED LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. OH, LET'S NOT FORGET THE FAULTY CRANK SHAFT AND THE AIRBAG ARE BOTH BROKEN. AND NOW, SINCE 2018 IT SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY LOOKING BRAND NEW. STUCK PAYING MY NOTE @ $700. AND HAVE TO RENT FROM AVIS $1,000 A MONTH. THIS IS NOT FAIR. THE LAST TIME I HAVE HEARD FROM BMW NORTH WAS OVER A YEAR AGO.
NHTSA complaint #11405485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AND SHUT DOWN ON ME MID FREEWAY! I STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING! IT TURNED OFF ON ME AND WOULDN'T TURN ON! NOW IT TURNS BUT GAS WON'T WORK! I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PUMP OF SOMETHING REGARDING GAS FUEL! I HAD TO CALL MY CAR INSURANCE TO TOW MY CAR WHEN I BECAME STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11326433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR FRONT AND REAR TIRES WERE OF DIFFERENT SIZE AND I NOTICED WHEN I GOT THE CAR FROM DEALER NEXT DAY AS THE CAR WOULD DRIFT TOWARDS ONE SIDE. IT GAVE "DRIVETRAIN ERROR" SINCE ITS ALL WHEEL DRIVE WITH POWER NOT BEING EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED DUE TO DIFFERENT RPM ON FRONT AND REAR. THIS WASN'T THE CASE WHEN I TEST DROVE THE DAY BEFORE. I KEPT THINKING ITS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT IT WAS TIRE THAT WAS CAUSING IT. AT HIGH SPEED (40-60MPH) WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM GAS THE CAR WOULD DRIFT TO ONE SIDE AND WOULD STALL. THIS IS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED NOT ONLY PASSENGER LIFE BUT ALSO MAJOR TRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAIN BREAKDOWN. THE DEALER SWAPPED THE TIRES BECAUSE WITH MISMATCHED TIRES THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN NON-DRIVABLE AT THE TIME I BOUGHT. THIS AWD IS VERY SENSITIVE TO TIRES TREAD DIFFERENCES. AFTER CALLING DEALER HE IS DENYING AND SAYING ITS "AS-IS" AND NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #11128224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 70 MILES PER HOUR - WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" AND "HAZARD LIGHTS CAME ON - THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED OVER 100 MORE GALLOONS IN THE TANK THAN IT HAD PREVIOUSLY - TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER AND WAS STALLING AS I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM THE FURTHEST LEFT LANE IN ORDER TO GET TO SAFETY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD - I WAS WITH MY PARENTS AND MY HANDICAPPED NEPHEW AND SCARED FOR ALL OF OUR LIVES. THE ENGINE "SPUTTERED AND VIBRATED" BEFORE STOPPING. I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG OR ANY CHANGE IN THE WAY THE CAR DROVE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11001191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 RECALL ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10991998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2013 BMW HORN WENT OUT A WEEK AGO, I PAID ALMOST 300 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIX AND MY BRAKE FLUID CHANGED. A WEEK LATER MY HORN WENT OUT AGAIN ONCE MY DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE THIS LIGHT CAME ON MY CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS MY HORN. WHICH IS EVERYTHING CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL THIS COULD BE AN AIRBAG PROBLEM BMW HAS CALLED CERTAIN MODELS OF THESE CARS ON RECALL WHICH MINE DOESN'T FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS ISSUE IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG BMW 5 SERIES MODELS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED THESE ARE IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUES.BMW TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY WIRING, BAD AIRBAGS, OR ANY OTHER SAFETY ISSUES THAT ARE COMMON PROBLEMS AMONGST THEIR VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE IS A 2013 MODEL AND IT IS NOW 2017 PARTS THAT SHOULDN'T BE MALFUNCTIONING UNTIL 10 YEARS OR BETTER HAVE OCCURRED. DRIVER RESTRAINT ISSUES ARE SAFETY HAZARDS FAULTY WIRING IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10965855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
-TAKATA -ABS MODULE MALFUNCTION DUE TO MODULE BEING FRIED BY EXCESSIVELY ENGINE HEAT -DSC SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO POOR WIRING AND HEAT FROM POOR PLACEMENT IN ENGINE BAY THIS HAS CAUSED MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH DRIVE ABILITY AND SAFETY I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING FOR QUITE AWHILE THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING SAFETY ISSUES AND BMW IGNORES ME AND MY COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10928923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA complaint #10915352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I LIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES WITH MY 2008 BMW FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. MY COWORKER HAS THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, AND IS ALSO EXPERIENCING OR HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. WE BOTH HAVE HAD OUR CARS IN THE SHOP AT THE SAME TIME AND THE VEHICLES ARE NOW REPAIRED. THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE IS IT BEGINS TO STALL AS DRIVING WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN OUR AREA FOR TRAFFIC. THE CAR WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED WHILE DRIVING AND YOU CAN NOT GO OVER 10 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR ALSO JERKS. THE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH OUR VEHICLES WERE THE SAME ; OIL LEAK, A TRANSMISSION LEAK, AND A PROBLEM WITH THE CYLINDERS NOT WORKING AS CONNECTED TO THE SPARK PLUGS. AS I PREVIOUSLY STATED THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. AND TIMES WHEN YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR STALLS WHICH ALMOST CAUSES THE CAR BEHIND YOU TO RUN INTO YOU.THE MAINTENANCE FOR MY CAR WAS 3200 DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY COWORKER TOOK HER CAR TO AN IMPORT REPAIR SHOP AND OVER THE COURSE OF 2 TIMES, SHE ENDED UP SPENDING ABOUT 1200 PLUS DOLLARS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE REPORTING IT TO THE RIGHT AUTHORITY.
NHTSA complaint #10704330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE IS HESITATION OR DELAY WITH THIS VEHICLE UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES ACCELERATE IT ALMOST GIVES YOU WHIP LASH. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU ARE AT INTERSECTION AND UNABLE TO PROCEED THROUGH IT INITIALLY AND THEN YOU ACCELERATE AT A SIGNIFICANT RATE. IT IS SO FRUSTRATING. AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I HOPE I DO NOT GET A NECK INJURY FROM TAKING OFF SO SUDDENLY AND I PRAY THAT WHEN I DO ACCELERATE, IT IS NOT INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.
NHTSA complaint #10683169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 CARMAX CHUCKLED QUIETLY TO THEMSELVES AS I STOOD BEFORE THEM TIRELESSLY REQUESTING THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOK AT THE CAR TO PROVE THAT I'M NOT A JOKE AND JUST BECAUSE I'M A GIRL DOESN'T MEAN I DON'T KNOW HOW CARS WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10682674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 MOVING FROM THE STOP SIGN, I HAVE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY TRAFFIC THAT MAY BE COMING AT SPEED BEHIND ME. THIS ACCELERATOR LAG MAKES FOR A SAFETY CONCERN. I IMAGINE THIS CAN ALSO BE A SAFETY CONCERN DURING MERGING INTO FREEWAYS WITH VERY SHORT ON RAMPS AND THE RAMP METER ON.
NHTSA complaint #10552900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE HAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND HESITATES AND PAUSES WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP OR WHILE IN LOW SPEED CONDITIONS. IT IS DANGEROUS TO, FOR EXAMPLE, PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC WHEN ONE DOES NOT KNOW IF YOUR VEHICLE IS GOING TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THERE IS A DEFINITE LAG AND PAUSE THAT IS A PROBLEM WHEN ACCELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #10457980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. SHE WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE AND CRASHED INTO TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD BE OUT TO INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER REMOVED THE BLACK BOX FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT MECHANICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 171,900. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10392771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COMMON ABS ASC+T ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILURE DISABLED ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, CRUISE CONTROL, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, AND ALARM DISABLED, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DISABLED, AND STABILITY CONTROL DISABLED. THE CAR CAN NO LONGER BE LOCKED TO KEEP OUT INTRUDERS, THE ODOMETER IS DISABLED AND AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF MILEAGE IS BEING ADDED TO THE VEHICLE(ALSO A VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE CVC), THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND STABILITY CONTROL WILL NOT WORK AND THE CAR IS OUT RIGHT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN BAD WEATHER. BMW IS AWARE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE PROBLEMS IN THESE CARS AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION EXCEPT OFFER A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT PART WITH NO UPGRADES TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES. MY PERSONAL VEHICLE HAS HAD THE MODULE FAIL AT ONLY 94K MILES. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THE VARY SAME COMPLAINT. IF I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER I WOULD BE TALKING WITH A LAWYER ABOUT CALIFORNIAN "LEMON LAWS". THE ABS SYSTEM, AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM, AND LOCK SYSTEM ARE ALL MAJOR SAFETY HAZARDS. THE ODOMETER NOT WORKING I BELIEVE FALLS UNDER A CVC VIOLATION POSSIBLY A FEDERAL MANDATE VIOLATION.
NHTSA complaint #10362395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON VEHICLE REPAIR FORUMS. DEFECTIVE MODULE WAS UPGRADED BY BMW ENGINEERING BUT NO RECALL ISSUED, LEFT TO OWNERS TO EXPERIENCE FAILURE BEFORE GETTING MODULE REPLACED. RISK OF EXCESSIVE SPEED. RISK OF OVERSPEED CONDITION WHILE ENTERING POSTED SPEED CORNERS. BMW ONLY REPAIR DUE TO PROGRAMMING, COST OF $2000, RISK OF LESS AFFLUENT OWNERS DRIVING WITH SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10100433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE SURGES WHEN COLD IN COLD WEATHER (<45 DEG). SURGING CAUSES VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD IF AT A STOP. COULD INJUR PEDESTRIAN IF BRAKE NOT PRESSED WITH FORCE. BMW APPARENTLY AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10057045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.