RoadVitals

2012 BMW 528I Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
12
Latest Mar 6, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 89 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 BMW 528I submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was condensation underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the "Engine Malfunction" message was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted 20 minutes later after several attempts. The failure reoccurred several times until the vehicle was taken to the residence and parked. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the control unit seal pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the same independent mechanic on several occasions where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil and timing chain had fractured into the oil pan valve cover, and the oil pan gasket, oil pan, and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,898.

NHTSA ID
11646791
Incident
Aug 15, 2022
Mileage
136,898 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated the vehicle eventually started. In addition, the contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the parts were not available. In addition, the contact stated that previously the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed coolant pump and unknown sensor. The contact was informed that the coolant pump and the unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The unknown sensor was replaced, however the contact was informed that the coolant pump was unavailable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was offered to have the vehicle towed to the dealer, however the parts were not available. The failure mileage was 111,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11628884
Incident
Nov 11, 2024
Mileage
111,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 8, 2024
Fire reported

While driving error message came up on screen saying add a quart of oil, car was smoking and engine block caught fire.

NHTSA ID
11624225
Incident
Nov 8, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528I. The contact stated that there was water leaking from the vehicle. There was an undisclosed electrical failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11624188
Incident
Oct 25, 2024
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 8, 2024
Fire reported

Vehicle leaked oil to where it caused an engine fire.

NHTSA ID
11624165
Incident
Nov 8, 2024
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 10, 2020

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND I ACCELERATED A LIL BIT FASTER TO BEAT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THEN MY CAR LOSS POWER AND STALLED OUT AND I GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE AND I WAS CAUSING TRAFFIC THE POWER TRAIN MALFUNCTION AND THE FUEL SUPPLY LIGHT CAM ON AND THE CHARGE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON I TRY STARTING IT BUT IT WOULDN'T START AND THE FUEL SUPPLY LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND SOME WIRING PROBLEM WAS GOING ON WHEN TRYING TO START IT MY TV SCREEN WOULD TURN ORANGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER WHERE THE MPH/GAS/TEMPERATURE/AND RPM WOULD TWITCH LIKE SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11348491
Incident
Jul 20, 2020
Mileage
107,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 14, 2018

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STARTED TO HESITATE, DIDN'T ACCELERATE, AND SHUT DOWN. WHILE TURNING OUT OF THE GAS STATION ONTO THE MAJOR ROAD, IT STALLED. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN TRIED TO RESTART IT. AFTER THE THIRD TRY IT RESTARTED. ONCE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND A MESSAGE CAME UP ABOUT THE POWERTRAIN.

NHTSA ID
11062693
Incident
Jan 14, 2018
Mileage
86,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 17, 2017

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM WORK AND IT JUST CUT OFF , I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED MY CAR THIS WAS IN MAY 2017 AND ON JULY 13 2017 I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND STOP SIGN TURNED GREEN AND I PUSH ON THE GAS BUT THE CAR CUT OFF AGAIN .

NHTSA ID
11005610
Incident
Jul 13, 2017
Mileage
800,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2014

LAST MONTH MY CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,200 MILES (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND LEAKING OIL ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY AND UNDER THE HOOD. IT COST ME $1570 TO FIX BY REPLACING THE FITER CASING. LUCKILY THAT THE OIL LEAK WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHAT IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY? THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE CAR TO DRIVE. THE LOCAL SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE FILTER HOUSING (2012 VERSION) WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE CURRENT BMW ONE 2014 IS MADE OF METAL. THE LOCAL SHOP TOLD ME TO CALL BMW IF THERE IS ANY RECALL FOR THIS. SO BEFORE FIXING IT LOCAL SHOP, I DID CALL THE CREVIER BMW IN SANTA ANA, CA AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE FILTER HOUSING AND MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOLD THE BMW ADVISOR THAT I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A 2012 BMW 528I WITH 52K MILES ON IT AND LEAKING OIL ALL OVER THE PLACE. THE BMW ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT I DROVE TOO MUCH. WHAT KIND OF SERVICE IS THAT? AND BMW WILL NOT COVER IT. SO BMW CANNOT BE DRIVEN OVER 50K MILES. I ALSO DID CALL BMW CORPORATE AND SOMEONE FROM BMW CORPORATE CALLED ME BACK THAT AND SAID NOTHING BMW CAN DO ABOUT THIS. NOW I FOUND OUT BECAUSE OF THE OIL LEAK, THE ALTERNATOR IS HAVING PROBLEM. I WANT TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT SO THAT BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO SIMILAR CASES OF THEIR UNSAFE CARS. [XXX] 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10662405
Incident
Nov 10, 2014
Mileage
52,200 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed May 23, 2014

I WAS DRIVING AT 30, AND HIT A POT-HOLE. ALL OF SUDDEN MY RARE PASSENGER DOOR POPPED OPENED. MY DASH BOARD STARTED LIGHTING, AND ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED LIGHTING. TAKEN TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AS WE CARRY OUR BABY OFTEN TIMES IN THE REAR SEAT (HE WAS NOT IN THE CAR WHEN INCIDENT HAPPENED), AND THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG, BUT SUGGESTED TO PUT CHILD LOCK. I SEE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT BY ANOTHER USER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593628
Incident
Apr 2, 2014
Mileage
47,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 13, 2014

WHILE DRIVING IN METRO DETROIT LAST NIGHT MY 2012 BMW 528I XDRIVE SUDDENLY FLASHED A "FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" MESSAGE, LURCHED AND CAME TO A DEAD STOP JUST PAST THE INTERSECTION OF NOVI ROAD AND 10 MILE. I WAS TWO MILES FROM THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE WITH ME IN THE CAR. HAD I MADE IT TO I-96 - JUST TWO MILES UP THE ROAD - AND THIS HAPPENED, WE VERY LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. POLICE WERE CALLED BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE CAR WAS ELECTRONICALLY LOCKED. I COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE ROADWAY. BMW SERVICE FINALLY MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TOWED 8 HOURS LATER BECAUSE FEW TOW TRUCKS LACKED THE EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MOVE THE CAR WITHOUT DAMAGE. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE TO ALLOW YOU TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, IT CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED BY A SERVICE TECH UNDERNEATH THE CAR. MY SERVICE ADVISOR WAS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD AND HUGE DESIGN FLAW. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL LINKAGE TO EITHER THE START/STOP BUTTON OR THE SHIFTER. IT'S ALL ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD THE CAR STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559563
Incident
Jan 12, 2014
Mileage
15,250 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jan 4, 2013

I RAN OVER A POT HOLE, ABOUT 4" DEEP, AND BOTH PASSENGER SIDE RIMS WERE BENT SO BAD THAT THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $8,229 I PREVIOUSLY HAD A BMW 750IL 2008. I ALSO HIT A POT HOLE AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE FRONT RIM CRACKED AND BACK RIM BENT. BOTH THE RIMS AND TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND COST OVER $3000. THE BMWS ARE JUST TO HEAVY FOR THE ALUMINUM RIMS THEY COME WITH. IN OVER 40 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH RIMS UNTIL I STARTED DRIVING BMWS, AND I HAVE HIT A NUMBER OF POT HOLES BEFORE. SOMEONE SHOULD MAKE BMWS COME EQUIPPED WITH STEEL RIMS. THEIR CHEAP RIMS ARE GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10491487
Incident
Dec 24, 2012
Mileage
9,000 mi

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .