BMW 528XI Problems by Year
BMW 528XI years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 528XI year: 2008, 2012, 2013. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2013 528XI: 56 complaints, 1 recall
- 2012 528XI: 54 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2008 528XI: 31 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2014 528XI: 1 complaint, 1 recall
- 2009 528XI: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2010 528XI: 10 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common BMW 528XI problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 75 | 5 | 1 |
| Power Train | 36 | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 35 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 21 | 5 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 15 | 4 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All BMW 528XI model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 528XI | 1 | 1 | — | Wheels | |
| 2013 528XI | 56 | 1 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 528XI | 54 | 0 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2010 528XI | 10 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 528XI | 6 | 0 | — | Engine | |
| 2008 528XI | 31 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 528XI years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2008 (31), 2012 (54), 2013 (56) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 528XI year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the BMW 528XI?
Engine, with 75 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 528XI have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.