2010 BMW 528I Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 BMW 528I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine3340.2%
- Electrical1113.4%
- Powertrain (other)911.0%
- Airbags78.5%
- Fuel system78.5%
- Exterior lighting33.7%
- Brakes33.7%
- Seat belts33.7%
- Driver assistance22.4%
- Interior & seats22.4%
- Body & structure11.2%
- Steering11.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 coming from under the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in Manual Mode, the vehicle independently shifted to neutral(N), the steering wheel became firm, and the transmission failed to shift out of neutral. In addition, the contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer on various occasions; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact stated while making a left turn and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The brake and transmission warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and then attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended and was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was next towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft and timing belt chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and 22V119000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 124,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
insulation on wiring is deteriorated leading to possible fire and or shorting out of electrical system
They lied to me made me buy a bad car and then didn't even give me a license plate of anything they stole my money
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
When driving any acceleration will cause the car to shift from Drive to Neutral. This can happen under normal driving conditions and at any speed.
The "Secure from Rolling" alert pops up on screen and car is prevented from moving. Engine must be shut off and ignition turned back on to work. Gears/spring probably need replaced per error message.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
There seems to be a common problem with these vehicles according to similar complaints being discussed in forums. My steering wheel is malfunctioning and creating a safety concern. While driving straight my horn and electrical controls do not function. If I turn the steering wheel to one side then the horn and electrical components work. I am also afraid that the airbag may not function properly because of this.
i was in a rear end crash accident my fault fast airbag didn’t deploy significant damage to my face car was totaled
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The car smells like gas by the rear wheels. In speaking with other owners of this vehicle this is a defective flaw in the vehicle it is a known problem in this vehicle and there has been no recall. This is a serious concern as gasoline is highly flammable. I have had to spend thousands of dollars fixing problems with this car and I cannot afford to fix this issue. This is a major concern. Please advise a fix ASAP
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and flashed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that fuel was leaking form the engine. The contact was unaware of what part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO BMW IRVINE IN CALIFORNIA FOR A RECALL ON MY TAIL LIGHTS, THEY STOP WORKING, THE RECALL WAS TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES AND THEY ONLY DID ONE. THE SIDE THAT BURN OUT BUT THEY LEFT THE SAME CONNECTOR WHICH WAS BURNT AND WITH THE WIRES LOOSE AND I WASNT EVEN NOTIFY WHEN I PICK THE VEHICLE UNTIL WHEN I START DRIVING THE LIGHT STOPWORKING AGAIN. THEY ANSWER IS NOT T HEIR FAULT DONT CARE. NOW MY VEHICLE DOESN'T RUN AND I GOT ALL KINDS OF WIRED MESSAGES ON MY IDRIVE. HALF WAY DONE RECALLS??? BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I'M AT A STOP MY CAR SUDDENLY JUMPS FORWARD WHEN I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE. IT'S SCARY CAUSE I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IF I'M AT A STOP LIGHT AND SOMEONE IS CROSSING THE STREET MY CAR COULD JUMP AND HIT THEM. I DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NO MORE CAUSE OF THIS. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING IT PICKS UP SPEED ON IT'S OWN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN EVER THE CAR IS DRIVEN ANYWHERE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS; THEREFORE, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING ON 12/29/2019. LOOKS LIKE IT'S COVERED BY THIS SERVICE BULLENTIN HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2014/SB-10056703-9690.PDF HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING BMW, BMW REFUSED TO COVER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE
SAT .OCT 15 , 2016 AFTER I PARK THE CAR THE NEXT DAY I HAVE THE MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY PANEL AND DASH BORD." PASS.RESTRAINT SYSTEM"- FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAIN SYSTEM AFFECTING THE AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER.CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT". THIS MESSAGE IS STILL ON CAR IS RUNNING GOOD BUT MY BLUETOOTH DO NOT WORK OR THE PHONE DUE TO THIS INCIDENT,LAST YEAR WAS RECALL FOR SIMILAR PROBLEM -PASSENGER SIDE BUT WAS COVER BY THE RECALL. I DNO'T HAVE A PASSENGER OR ANYBODY WHO WAS SITTING IN THE PASSINGER SIDE .I WAS READING ABT THE SAME INCIDENT RIGHT HERE IN CT ON SAFERCAR.GOV.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS. I'VE ALREADY REPLACE THE SPARKPLUGS, COILS, & FUEL FILTER, BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE SUDDEN STOPPING HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING OR WHEN I'M IDLE AT EITHER A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS UNTIL IT COMPLETELY TURNS OFF FROM I'M IDLE AND THERE IS NO WARNING FOR WHEN I'M ACTUALLY DRIVING, IT JUST STOPS.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG / SEATBELT SENSOR FAULTY PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ERROR ON THE SYSTEM. BMW HAD A RECALL EARLIER FOR 2004-2006 VEHICLES WHERE BMW REPLACES THE SEAT MAT FREE OF COST. I CALLED THE DEALER FOR MY 2010 528I AND THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS NO RECALL; HOWEVER I SEE THOUSANDS OF USERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE.
2010 BMW 528I, HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND AIR BAG SYSTEM LIGHTS STAY ON. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET FORUMS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The "Secure from Rolling" alert pops up on screen and car is prevented from moving. Engine must be shut off and ignition turned back on to work. Gears/spring probably need replaced per error message.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .