RoadVitals

2010 BMW 528I Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
65
Latest Dec 22, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6

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%
  • 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.

33
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11706489 · filed Dec 22, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID 11655886 · filed Apr 21, 2025
All 33 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

insulation on wiring is deteriorated leading to possible fire and or shorting out of electrical system

NHTSA ID 11675067 · filed Jul 21, 2025

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

NHTSA ID 11646404 · filed Mar 5, 2025
All 11 reports naming electrical

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

9
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11564873 · filed Jan 11, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID 11493363 · filed Nov 13, 2022
All 9 reports naming powertrain (other)

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

7
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11551162 · filed Oct 21, 2023

i was in a rear end crash accident my fault fast airbag didn’t deploy significant damage to my face car was totaled

NHTSA ID 11518174 · filed Apr 21, 2023

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.

7
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11623122 · filed Nov 1, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID 11580653 · filed Apr 2, 2024

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.

3
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11161172 · filed Dec 13, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 10893447 · filed Aug 5, 2016

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.

3
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11398673 · filed Mar 2, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID 11110340 · filed Jul 9, 2018

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.

3
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11296863 · filed Jan 3, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 10916606 · filed Oct 17, 2016

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11053532 · filed Dec 8, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID 10915352 · filed Oct 11, 2016

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11181409 · filed Feb 20, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID 10783325 · filed Oct 19, 2015

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10329952 · filed May 11, 2010

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.

1
report

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.

NHTSA ID 11493363 · filed Nov 13, 2022

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

Data on this page last refreshed .