Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2010 BMW 528XI with NHTSA between 2013 and 2018.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 10
Against the median year of the BMW 528XI. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2010 BMW 528XI
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
325.0%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Seat Belts
216.7%
Median failure at 140,000 miles
Lights
216.7%
Median failure at 52,000 miles
Electrical System
216.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 92,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
216.7%
Median failure at 79,883 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
18.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
110.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
440.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
220.0%
150,000+ miles
220.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2013peak 2Mar 2018
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 88,000 milesSartell, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I DROVE ACROSS TOWN TO MY PARENTS HOUSE AND WHEN I GOT THERE I TURNED THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND LOCKED IT. I VISITED WITH THEM FOR ROUGHLY 30 MINUTES BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE AGAIN. I WAS APPROACHING MY CAR AND CLICKED THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON MY KEY FOB. ONCE THE CAR UNLOCKED I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I UNLOCKED TO HOOD TO RELEASE PRESSURE AND QUICKLY RAN TO GRAB A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE CAR WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER I NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I PUT THOSE FLAMES OUT BUT AFTER TWO MINUTES MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED BY FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FINALLY ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY PUT OUT MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. MY PARENTS HOUSE TOOK QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE AS WELL FROM THE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11003663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Milford, NJ
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER (FLEMINGTON BMW, 216 US HIGHWAY 202 31, FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822, (908) 788-2691) INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO WAIT TO RECEIVE A SECOND LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND THAT PARTS MAY BECOME AVAILABLE IN THE SUMMER OF 2018. THE DEALER MADE NO MENTION OF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THE PART WOULD PREMATURELY FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11080119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,883 milesFrankford, DE
ENGINE
ON 11/17/17 I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM MY WIFE WHO HAD A HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE DRIVING OUR BMW. SHE WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY 3 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR FAILED CREATING A VERY LOUD SCARY SHRILL NOISE, NOT UNLIKE A SIREN. AT THE SAME TIME THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN SURGING CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOSE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS GIVING A FEELING FOR THE DRIVER OF LACK OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FEAR OF HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I SPEAK WITH EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I MET MY WIFE AT A SHOPPING CENTER AND SWITCHED CARS WITH HER, AND CAREFULLY DRIVING THE DAMAGED CAR HOME. UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF THE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, 2500 DOLLARS, PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE IS NOT A GOOD OPTION.
NHTSA complaint #11062681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesParsippany, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING 2010 BMW 528XI ON HIGHWAY @SPEED OF 65 MPH AND ELECTRIC SUPPLY DISCONNECTED IN THE CAR AND I LOST THE CONTROL. I COULD NOT CONTROL SPEED AND BRAKES. IT WAS A SERIOUS THREAT TO MY LIFE. FORTUNATELY, I LET CAR GO AND IT STOPPED BY ITSELF ON SHOULDER. I CALLED TO BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY MENTIONED THAT BMW CANNOT HELP IN THIS CASE AND JUST NOTED THE COMMENTS. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN BMW 5 SERIES AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OF YOU EXPERIENCED SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11046119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesSartell, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I DROVE ACROSS TOWN TO MY PARENTS HOUSE AND WHEN I GOT THERE I TURNED THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND LOCKED IT. I VISITED WITH THEM FOR ROUGHLY 30 MINUTES BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE AGAIN. I WAS APPROACHING MY CAR AND CLICKED THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON MY KEY FOB. ONCE THE CAR UNLOCKED I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I UNLOCKED TO HOOD TO RELEASE PRESSURE AND QUICKLY RAN TO GRAB A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE CAR WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER I NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I PUT THOSE FLAMES OUT BUT AFTER TWO MINUTES MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED BY FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FINALLY ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY PUT OUT MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. MY PARENTS HOUSE TOOK QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE AS WELL FROM THE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11003663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMount Pleasant, SC
SEAT BELTS
I HAVE A WARNING LIGHT ON DURING DRIVING "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM" MALFUNCTIONS". BMW STATES THERE IS A 10YR "WARRANTY" (RECALL) ON THIS ISSUE BUT MY VIN DOES FALL IN THE SERIES OF VIN'S . MY YEAR 2010 IS NOT COVERED, YET I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE MANY OTHERS HAVE AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR SINCE THIS KILLS MY RESALE VALUE. BMW SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE AND OR FIX ALL SAFETY ISSUE PERIOD.
NHTSA complaint #10991107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMount Pleasant, SC
AIR BAGS
I HAVE A WARNING LIGHT ON DURING DRIVING "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM" MALFUNCTIONS". BMW STATES THERE IS A 10YR "WARRANTY" (RECALL) ON THIS ISSUE BUT MY VIN DOES FALL IN THE SERIES OF VIN'S . MY YEAR 2010 IS NOT COVERED, YET I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE MANY OTHERS HAVE AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR SINCE THIS KILLS MY RESALE VALUE. BMW SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE AND OR FIX ALL SAFETY ISSUE PERIOD.
NHTSA complaint #10991107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma, WA
VISIBILITY
2010 BMW 528 XI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND WIPER RELAY FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE HAPPENED ONCE OR TWICE IN THE PAST, BUT LASTED ONLY A FEW MINUTES. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE 100 BLOCK IN THE RAIN, WITH NO WORKING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE COST TO REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS WAS $1878.07.
NHTSA complaint #10947194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesWallingford, CT
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528XI. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10818017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesWhitefish BAY, WI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INSULATION COVERING THE WIRES GOING TO THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (ANGEL EYES) BULBS HAS SPLIT AND CAUSED A SHORT OR AN ARC WHICH HAS VISIBLY BURNED AND MELTED THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR TO THE BULB AND CAUSED THE LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION AND PRODUCE WARNINGS INSIDE THE CAR. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. EVEN MORE SO BECAUSE POWER CONTINUES TO FLOW THROUGH THE WIRES AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT JIGGLING THE WIRES SOMETIMES MAKES THE BULB LIGHT UP.
NHTSA complaint #10682763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesYork, PA
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SAFETY BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT INDICATOR LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS EMPTY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #10611314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesYork, PA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SAFETY BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT INDICATOR LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS EMPTY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #10611314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesWilmington, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO MY ENTIRE SET OF RIGHT REAR LIGHTS WENT OUT ON MY CAR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I TOOK TO AAA AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG BUT GOT LIGHTS WORKING, THEY THOUGHT JUST LOOSE WIRES. A WEEK OR SO AGO STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. TOOK BACK TO AAA AND THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE THE WHOLE BOARD FOR LIGHTS AND TO TAKE TO DEALER. I THEN READ ONLINE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY YEAR/MODEL OF CAR FOR REAR TAIL LIGHTS. NOW MY LEFT TAILLIGHT IS ENTIRELY NOT WORKING. MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL SO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS WHICH I DON'T THINK IS RIGHT AS CLEARLY THIS IS A LARGER ISSUE. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10551772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.