BMW 528I Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 180 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the BMW 528I across 13 model years. The 2015 model year has the most (33). The words owners use most often: “engine cooling electrical” (46% of reports).
- 180engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 28%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Engine cooling electrical: mentioned in 83 of 180 complaints (46%)
- Burning odor: mentioned in 12 of 180 complaints (7%)
- Underneath hood: mentioned in 9 of 180 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 103 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 180 complaints, 13 a fire, 3 an injury.
BMW 528I engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 528I | 26 | 44% | 90,000 |
| 2015 528I | 33 | 51% | 90,000 |
| 2014 528I | 20 | 35% | 95,000 |
| 2013 528I | 11 | 15% | 107,500 |
| 2012 528I | 5 | 6% | 111,000 |
| 2011 528I | 32 | 27% | 113,500 |
| 2010 528I | 17 | 26% | 141,000 |
| 2009 528I | 5 | 22% | 188,500 |
| 2008 528I | 15 | 13% | 109,000 |
| 2000 528I | 10 | 24% | 90,000 |
| 1999 528I | 1 | 2% | 64,605 |
| 1998 528I | 2 | 6% | 89,220 |
| 1997 528I | 3 | 7% | 85,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump
Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Problem: 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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: 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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2011
Problem: 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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust and there was…
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while idling, there was smoke emerging from under the hood, and the contact discovered that the electrical connection for the water pump caught fire. No warning light illuminated. The contact extinguished the fire using a fire extinguisher…
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while his vehicle was parked, the coolant pump connector caught on fire, which was connected to a after market Coolant pump. The failure experienced was a localized electrical fire that originated at the coolant pump connector and…
See attached document for complaint. Greetings: I am writing pursuant to recalls No. 24Vâ608, both remedy unavailable and remedy available, ten months later. During the intervening ten months, I experienced hardship, expense and loss of use of my vehicle. The attached documents represent my…
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormally loud rattling sound…
Frequently asked questions
Do all BMW 528Is have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 180 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the BMW 528I. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the BMW 528I engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the BMW 528I?
The most frequent phrase is “engine cooling electrical”, in 83 of 180 complaints, followed by “burning odor” (12).
Other BMW 528I problems
- Engine problems (205)
- Electrical System problems (187)
- Power Train problems (106)
See all BMW 528I problems.