28 of the
1,239 complaints filed about the BMW 528I
are about the body and structure —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2015.
the vehicle was driven for approximately 30 minutes, operating with zero dashboard warnings or performance indicators. The vehicle was then parked on my property and turned off completely. Approximately two hours and thirty minutes later, the vehicle spontaneously ignited while stationary and unoccupied. The local fire department responded and successfully extinguished the blaze. Both physical observations and my home security camera footage confirm that the point of origin was the front right passenger side of the engine compartment. This exact location houses the factory electric water pump and its electrical plug connector, directly matching the failure mechanism detailed in NHTSA Campaign 24V608000, wherein fluid intrusion causes a severe, persistent electrical short circuit capable of igniting a fire hours after the vehicle is parked. The car is completely totaled because of this.
NHTSA complaint #11746090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. The fire spread rapidly, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. At the time, both my insurance carrier and BMW representatives inspected the vehicle, but no definitive cause was identified. In January 2026, I received notification that this same vehicle is subject to BMW Safety Recall Campaign No. 24V-608, which states that liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation system can drip onto the water pump electrical connector, potentially causing a short circuit and, in rare cases, an engine fire. This recall describes the same failure event that destroyed my vehicle, which occurred before any recall remedy was available.
NHTSA complaint #11713522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
on February 1,2025 Pushed the trunk release at Autozone to take battery out of vehicle. And, trunk spring/release was so strong the trunk broke my back windshield again. This would be the second time I've had this happen. the first was on August9.2023. Ever since I've purchased the vehicle the trunk ring/release has been real strong. This really needs to be looked into!
NHTSA complaint #11641866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My son was driving and stated that the car started to overheat and then decided to pull to the side of the road. He and his brother sat in the car for approximately 2-3 minutes and his girlfriend heard a crackling noise. I told them to check what the error message was on the display and how to check it. He stated The idrive said “engine compartment hot” so upon exiting the car and shutting the door, it began to smoke then burst into flames. He immediately called the fire dept that arrived in 7 minutes as the put the flames out. They stated right before they started to smell smoke or like the smell of a radiator leaking or the smell it makes. Noone was hurt just a little traumatized. I called BMW of Fayetteville in November but stated there is no remedy for it. I asked did I need to bring it on to be checked the BMW representative stated I will receive a letter when a remedy was available and at that time he stated there is nothing they can do without direction of how to proceed without a remedy or parts to do so. I have letters on each telling me of the recall and logging into Mybmw it states no remedy available. The fire dept stated he will have a report by 1/16/2025 and I have statements from my children in the car for now.
NHTSA complaint #11635553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I took the 2009 BMW 528i to Bridgeport BMW to have a prior safety recall (17V-673/19V-273) repaired but, it wasn't fixed and my car caught on fire last year before I got another recall letter stating that there's no remedy for the Recall Campaign No. 22V-119: PCV Valve Heater.
NHTSA complaint #11463047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 EVERYWHERE, BUT MUCH OF IT OBVIOUSLY WAS SCATTERED ALONG THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY NO GLASS ENTERED THE CAR BUT A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT APPEARS BMW KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT DECLINES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, SO ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP WOULD BE A BENEFIT TO ME AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS THIS WILL HAPPEN TO.
NHTSA complaint #11384985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING LAST WEEK, WE HEARD HEAVY CLUNKING SOUNDS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC TO INVESTIGATE THE NOISE, AND HE IDENTIFIED THE THE FRAME SWAY BAR MOUNT HAD SHEERED OFF WHERE THE SWAY BAR TO FRAME MOUNT IS. THE MECHANIC ASKED IF THE CAR HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WE BOUGHT IT USED IN 2012, AND THERE WAS NO REPORT OF AN ACCIDENT. SINCE WE HAVE HAD IT, WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #11351496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE MELTING FROM SUN EXPOSURE. WHEN GRABBING BOTH THE DRIVER DOOR AND PASSENGER FRONT DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR, THE HANDLE IS MELTED, LEAVING A CRUMBLY AND GOOEY TAR ON YOUR HANDS. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY BMW OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #11337574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE/NOT WORKING EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS ONLY 25,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE SO MANY OWNERS HAS SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THIS DESIGN
NHTSA complaint #11208241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2013 BMW 528I
at 76,952 milesHoffman Estates, ILCrash2 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
A VEHICLE(SUV) ENDED MY CAR IN THE REAR IN A PRETTY GOOD SPEED WHEN I WAS IN THE SLOW TRAFFIC ALMOST STATIONARY(5 MPH). CRASH IMPACT WAS HIGH. HAD TO CALL IN AN AMBULANCE AS MY FRIEND SITTING IN PASSENGER SEAT WAS HURT BADLY. AS WE REALIZE AFTER THE CRASH, ENGINE GOT STOPPED & AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DUE TO FAULT IN AIRBAG. ENGINE DID NOT START LATER & THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FACILITY IN PROSPECTS HEIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY HIGHWAY WHEN DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LANE. VERY LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS AT THAT TIME AROUND 6PM ON 02/26.
NHTSA complaint #11190282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAFETY ISSUE: DOOR CAN NOT BE LOCK/UNLOCK MANUALLY AND ONLY ELECTRONICALLY. BMW IS NOT WILLING TO FIX IT. THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DURING TIME OF EMERGENCY ONE CAN NOT UNLOCK THE CAR AND GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11166475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10691505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING AT 30, AND HIT A POT-HOLE. ALL OF SUDDEN MY RARE PASSENGER DOOR POPPED OPENED. MY DASH BOARD STARTED LIGHTING, AND ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED LIGHTING. TAKEN TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AS WE CARRY OUR BABY OFTEN TIMES IN THE REAR SEAT (HE WAS NOT IN THE CAR WHEN INCIDENT HAPPENED), AND THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG, BUT SUGGESTED TO PUT CHILD LOCK. I SEE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT BY ANOTHER USER.
NHTSA complaint #10593628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I HEARD POP, AND NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR HAD POPPED LOOSE. IMMEDIATELY, WARNING LIGHTS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS COMPLETELY CLOSED AND LOCKED WHEN I STARTED MY COMMUTE. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 8 MILES AT THE POINT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. ONCE I PULLED OVER, I NOTICED THAT THE DOOR WAS STILL LOCKED, BUT IT WAS CLEARLY AJAR. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS, BUT FEEL LIKE THIS IS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #10474021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I RECENTLY USED THE JACK IN MY 1999 BMW 528I FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER A FEW DAYS AGO. THE JACK IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE CAR. IT IS LABELED FOR 1997 AND 1998 CARS - NOT THE 1999 I OWN. WHILE JACKING TO REMOVE A TIRE THE JACK POPPED OF PLACE WITH FORCE AND THE CAR FELL. LUCKILY I HAD NOT REMOVED THE TIRE. I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE CORRECT JACK. BMW POLICY IF TO NOT ADDRESS ANY ISSUE AFTER THE 4YEAR/50,000MILE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED....EVEN IF IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THE NHTSA CAN ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH BMW USA.
NHTSA complaint #10402116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS SO LOW TO THE GROUND THAT IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER. THE CONTACT ALSO CRASHED INTO A CURB THAT DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE BUMPER FIXED TWICE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 7,200. UPDATED 05/13/10 *BF UPDATED 05/14/10.
NHTSA complaint #10329952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 528I. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FOR THE WINDOW BURNED THROUGH THE HOUSING AND FELL INTO THE TRUNK. THE BULB LANDED BY THE FUEL TANK. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. FURTHERMORE, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HANDLES FAILED TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DOORS WOULD ONLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
NHTSA complaint #10205426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON INTERSTATE 5, SOUTHBOUND NORTH OF LOS ANGELES IN VICINITY OF SUN VALLEY, MY 1997 BMW 528I STRUCK A LARGE (30 GALLON) PLASTIC BARREL IN THE ROADWAY, IMPACTING THE LOWER FRONT CENTER/RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONSIDERS IT A TOTAL LOSS (EXCEEDING $12,000). THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL OUTSTANDING ON THE 1997 BMW 5 SERIES (RECALL NUMBER 04V183000) REGARDING DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION/STRUT COMPONENTS, BUT MY CALL TO BMW AT 800-831-1117 DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REGARD TO MY VEHICLE. THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO CONFIRM TWO OTHER RECALL SERVICES THAT HAD BEEN PERFORMED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OFFERING ME A SETTLEMENT FOR TOTAL LOSS, BUT I WOULD PREFER THAT THE CAR BE REPAIRED AND THAT BMW BEAR THEIR SHARE OF THE COST FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF DAMAGE DUE TO THE KNOWN DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10185458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE INSIDE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN TO USE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK BMW CONSIDERED THE PROBLEM TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART/TRIM AND DID NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. THE DRIVER DOOR SQUEAKED UPON OPENING AND CLOSING AND THERE WAS A SQUEAK COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD GO UP TO 35 MPH IN WHICH THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10065194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.