2011 BMW 528I Electrical Problems

I am filing a complaint regarding the recall work performed on my 2011 BMW 528i for the VANOS bolt safety recall. The recall notice stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive until repaired. I arranged towing to Jackie Cooper BMW in Edmond, Oklahoma because of this safety warning. The dealership performed the recall repair and released the vehicle back to me. Immediately after picking it up, the vehicle experienced a failure and became inoperable. The vehicle had to be towed again. This time, the dealership covered the towing cost and had the vehicle returned to my residence. Staff present at the time included a technician named Luke and the Service Drive Manager, Tayler Hawkins. Staff statements indicated that diagnostic charges would have applied if issues outside the recall were found, but no diagnostics were ultimately billed. There were also inconsistencies regarding the availability of the service manager. I am filing this complaint because the vehicle failed immediately after recall service and required towing. I am concerned that the recall work may not have been performed correctly or that the vehicle was released in a condition that was not suitable for operation. I am requesting that this incident be documented as part of the recall and safety record for this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11699975

Incident

Nov 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the starter was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the starter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to Pep Boys to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Another dealer, BMW of Tallahassee (1485 Capital Cir NW, Tallahassee, FL 32303); was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11642319

Incident

Feb 12, 2024

Mileage

140,000 mi

I I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL A WHILE AGO ON 2011 5251 HEATER BLOWERS STARTING FIRES AND I KEEP SMELLING BURNING SMELL INSIDE MY CAR WHEN HEAT IS ON.

NHTSA ID

11388184

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

THERE ARE A FEW RECALLS FOR MY CAR BUT WEN I PUT IN MY VIN TO SEARCH ,IT SAYS 0 RECALLS BUT I SEEN ONLINE THAT THERE ARE MANY RECALLS

NHTSA ID

11267213

Incident

Oct 3, 2019

THIS MALFUNCTION LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. IT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE EVERY TIME I HAVE THAT THIS CAR SERVICED THEY HAVE NEVER TRULY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IT MAY STOP FOR A MOMENT AND THEN ANY RANDOM DAY IT WILL GIVE ME THIS WARNING AS YOU SE IN THE PICTURE PROVIDED. A BIGGER PROBLEM THAT IS UNEXCEPTABLE IS THAT THE CAR KEEPS FLASHING A WARNING ABOUT THE COOLENT IS NEEDED AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR THERE COULD BE ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS WARNING HAS BEEN THE MAIN CONCER. I HAVE HAD THE COOLENT GO INTO THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO SHUT DOWN ON A BUSY HWY 3 SEPERATE TIMES, RISKING A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA THAT THEY CARE ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS LITERALLY AFFECTED MY HEALTH AND WELL BEING. I HAVE HUGE ANXIETY ISSUES BECAUSE OF THIS CAR. I HOPE MY LETTER IS HEARD SO THAT I MAY HAVE JUSTICE FOR THIS CAR. I AM OVERWHELMED WITH NERVOUSNES EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT. I FEEL LIKE SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN TO ME ORCSOME ELSE. PLEASE HELP THIS MATTER BECOME RES OLVED!

NHTSA ID

10882502

Incident

May 11, 2016

ACCELERATION AFTER SLOWING DOWN HAS A VERY UNSAFE LAG THAT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DRIVER HAS TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL ALMOST TO FULL THROTTLE TO GET A RESPONSE THEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNSAFELY. DEALER CHECKED THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT IS A SOFTWARE FAULT.

NHTSA ID

10785209

Incident

Jul 1, 2015

Mileage

38,000 mi

PRIOR TO ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A SAFETY RECALL ON MY CAR I REPORTED AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM MY ENGINE. I HAD CALLED BMW ROADSIDE ABOUT THE NOISE I HEARD. I ASKED FOR THEM TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. EVER SINCE THAT FIRST TIME OF ME HEARING A STRANGE NOISE THERE HAS BEEN 3 SEPARATE ENGINE SHUT OFFS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FRWY. EACH TIME THOSE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED I WOULD CALL ROADSIDE AND TRY EXPLAINING MYSELF BUT HAVING THE MOST DIFFICULT TIME DUE TO ME BEING DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD,ANXIETY DISORDER AND COPD. IT WOULD BE SERVICED AND GIVEN BACK TO ME WITH CERTAINTY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THERE WERE TWO MORE TIMES AFTER THAT WHILE DRIVING ON FRWY. I AM APPALLED BY THE UTTER LACK OF CONCERN FOR MY LIFE OR THE LIVES OF OTHERS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL MY ANXIETY EVERY SINCE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I HAVE DRIVEN IT. I DEMAND THE ATTENTION TO THESE NEGLIGENT UNACCEPTABLE OUTCOMES. I EXPECT A REMEDY TO THIS HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE I HAVE ENDURED. I EXPECT ULTIMATELY THAT I BE COMPENSATED IN THE HIGHEST WAY POSSIBLE. MY LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL LOOK DEEPLY INTO MY SPECIFIC CONCERNS, AND HOLD THIS MANUFACTURER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR LACK OF CARE IN MAKING ME BE PUT IN LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS 3 XS. THANK YOU NHTSA SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10671720

Incident

Mar 1, 2014

Mileage

45,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE HAS A HESITATION OF THROTTLE ACCELERATION FROM IDLE AND SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS.PRESENTS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FROM IDLE POSITION TO ACCELERATION. A 1-2 SECOND DELAY CONSISTENTLY HAPPENS. THE BMW DEALER REPORTED TO ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION BUT DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION YET. IF ENOUGH REPORTS OF THIS INCIDENT WERE HANDED IN THEN IT MAY NECESSITATE A CURE FROM BMW. APPARENTLY NOT ENOUGH SQUEAKY WHEELS PER SAY FOR BMW TO ACT.HOPEFULLY THIS ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS ALREADY ON YOUR WEB SITE ABOUT THIS VERY SAME ISSUE IS ENOUGH TO GET BMW TO ACT ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10618966

Incident

Jun 18, 2014

Mileage

31,000 mi