NHTSA Data Explorer

BMW 528i xDrive

Data refreshed August 27, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the BMW 528i xDrive.

Complaints

611

Active records

Recalls

22

Active records

TSBs

225

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

17

Crashes

18

Fires

27

Top reported issues — BMW 528i xDrive

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

182

Operating state

156

Reporting mechanism

148

Safety restraint issue

130

Performance issue

95

Engine behavior

85

Thermal issue

52

Fluid issue

40

Noise

32

Lighting behavior

31

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

30

Electrical issue

29

Ride/handling behavior

22

Vibration/harshness

22

Braking behavior

18

Starting behavior

18

Steering behavior

17

Access/entry issue

16

Safety restraint behavior

14

Infotainment behavior

13

Smell

12

Powering on/off behavior

11

Recent change

10

Driver assistance issue

9

HVAC behavior

4

Wiper/washer behavior

3

Charging behavior

1

Communication/network issue

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2012 BMW 528XI

Filed Aug 19, 2026


The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle came to a stop and the Automatic START/STOP feature activated; however, the engine failed to restart. The message Drive Train Malfunction Error was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the timing chain had fractured, causing unknown parts to enter the engine. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

2013 BMW 528XI

Filed Jul 29, 2026


I am submitting this report to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a safety‑related defect involving the BMW N20/N26 engine timing chain assembly. My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine failure at highway speed due to a timing chain malfunction. This failure occurred without warning and created an immediate safety hazard for my [XXX] son, who was driving at the time. Loss of engine power at speed eliminated the ability to accelerate, maintain speed, or…

2012 BMW 528XI

Filed Jul 6, 2026


The vehicle suffered a sudden Drivetrain Malfunction and severe engine overheating while driving, resulting in a physically snapped camshaft and extensive iron shaving contamination in the oil pan (catastrophic engine failure).Ten months ago, an authorized dealership performed the official BMW Water Pump Safety Recall (NHTSA Campaign 24V608000). The vehicle has an active history of drivetrain malfunction fault codes dating back to January 2024. The failure of the recall remedy to safely…

2012 BMW 528XI

Filed Jun 22, 2026


The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a misfire coming from the engine with the Drivetrain Malfunction message displayed. The contact later received a notification for an unknown recall, and a diagnostic test was performed however, no failure was found for the drivetrain. The recall repair was performed. Recently, the contact stated that the vehicle would shut off soon after it was started. The vehicle was taken to an independent…

2013 BMW 528XI

Filed Mar 20, 2026


Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 BMW 528XI. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the messages Drivetrain Malfunction - Drive Moderately and Contact the Service Center were displayed. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was purchased; however, the dealer refused to honor the warranty and refused to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. Upon searching the vehicle history…

2012 BMW 528XI

Filed Feb 3, 2026


The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), but the failure occurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check coolant level warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the recall repair was not yet available. However, the dealer installed a splash seal. The contact notified the manufacturer of the…

2008 BMW 5 SERIES

Filed Nov 5, 2025


My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under Stop Drive, order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because I could not reach anyone at my nearest BMW Service Department, it was escalated twice to attempt to arrange for my vehicle that I unknowingly continued to drive. My vehicle has sat undriven since May…

2013 BMW 528XI

Filed Sep 8, 2025


My 2013 BMW 528i was serviced under recall 24V-608 (Coolant Pump Electrical Connector / DME). After the recall was marked complete, the car developed several serious failures: Coolant Pump / Connector (Recall Item) – The dealer refused to replace the coolant pump even though the recall notice from the government includes both the pump and connector. Shortly after, the water pump failed completely, causing “High Temperature” warnings and putting me at risk of sudden overheating and breakdown on…

2013 BMW 528XI

Filed Aug 8, 2025


Both of my headlights had moisture. I replaced the driverside first because you could literally see water sitting in the headlamp. Then I replaced the passengerside a year later because it was doing the same thing that the driver side started doing. I have not had any accidents nor has there been any damage to the front of the car. It appears that this is a known problem. My adaptive part is still not working, but the headlights are working. I have replaced my timinig chain and I keep getting…

2012 BMW 528XI

Filed Aug 5, 2025


Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while checking the Carfax history report of the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 138,000; however, the Carfax history report showed that the mileage was approximately 224,000.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated August 27, 2026. Refreshed nightly.