10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,463 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 BMW 528 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 BMW 528 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Feb 212017

528

  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The throttle body of the 2011 model of the BMW 528I has been faulty since day 1. the car jerks at low RPM making it dangerous during driving situations. The slow response time of the throttle can cause accidents. There is about thousands of complaints that BMW received over the years and they still are not issuing a recall on it.

- Selden, NY, USA

problem #13

Dec 112016

528

  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 5-series. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #12

May 112016

528

  • miles
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!

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 012016

528

  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Acceleration delay, the car has a very distinct lag when you step on the gas pedal, from a stop or moving, sometimes up to 2 seconds. It happens in town on the freeway any time you put your foot down on the gas. It is very dangerous when you try to get into traffic. You think you have time to go, step on the gas and nothing happens. Then the car slowly starts to go. My wife and I have both almost been hit by other cars because we try to move out in to traffic and nothing happens. I have contact the local BMW dealer, they cannot fix it, I contacted BMW genius team, and they tell me it's normal and have no fix. It is not safe or normal. Is there any thing we do to make BMW fix this very dangerous problem? don't get me wrong I like the car, but I don't want to get killed in it.

- Meridian, ID, USA

problem #10

Jun 102015

528

  • 38,000 miles
While driving my vehicle at around 50-60 mph, the engine low coolant warning lamp came on and instructed me to go immediately to the nearest BMW dealer for service in order to avoid engine damage. I went to the dealer and reported the problem. At the time of this incident, my car was still under full manufacturer bumper to bumper warranty. The vehicle was put into service and the service advisor stated that a pressure test was done and no issue was found and that it was probably air bubbles. Sounded strange to me of course but you try and trust your BMW dealers service department when it comes to diagnosing problems. Well, approximately 85 days later, the same issue has come up again and a strange odor as well. I have been told that there may be a coolant system leak because they had to add coolant. Apparently, this is an ongoing malfunctioning issue Y with the 2011 528 series and several complaints have already been filed. A recall notice should be issued immediately by BMW. All consumers of these vehicles are in need of the nhsa intervening on our behalf and demanding that bmm issue an immediate recall for repair.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #9

Jun 102015

528

  • 38,000 miles
While driving my vehicle at around 50-60 miles per hour, the engine low coolant warning lamp came on and instructed me to go immediately to the nearest BMW dealer for service in order to avoid engine damage. I went to dealer and reported the problem. At the time of this incident, my car was still under full manufacturer bumper to bumper warranty. The vehicle was put into service and the service advisor stated that a pressure test was done and no issue was found and that it was probably air bubbles. Sounded strange to me of course but you try and trust your BMW dealers service department when it comes to diagnosing the problem. Well, approximately 85 days later, the same issue has come up again. I have been told that there may be a coolant system leak because they had to add coolant. This is an ongoing issue with the 2011 528 series and malfunction with these cars and BMW needs to issue a recall notice immediately to fix issues. You can smell an odor in the car occasionally and when the malfunction light comes on. We need the nhsa to intervene on behalf of the consumers of these vehicles.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #8

Jun 102014

528 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This was the 1st out of 3 times my vehicle stalled while driving. I was very nervous, scared and upset being that I had told BMW that the coolant was constantly showing me low coolant light along with possible engine damage. But they would always try to erasure me the problem was fixed.I felt that all the gentleman at carmax chuckled quietly to themselves as I stood before them tirelessly requesting that the service manager look at the car to prove that I'm not a joke and just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I don't know how cars work.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 012014

528

  • 45,000 miles
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).

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 312014

528

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph and the engine stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. When the contact restarted the vehicle there was knocking noise and it was towed to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that some of the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment unit became loose and broken. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 14V176000. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Pamona, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 112011

528

  • 6,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions where the failure was unable to be replicated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 14V176000 (engine and engine cooling) and the part was not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not able to provide an estimated timeframe for when the part would become available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.

- Calabasas, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 122011

528

  • 4,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000 and the current mileage was 56,000.

- Palm Springs, FL, USA

problem #3

May 092011

528 6-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
The vehicle has a significant delay in acceleration that occurs primarily after (I) the vehicle has slowed down to a speed between 18 mph and 24 mph; (II) a full stop (although it is intermittent following a full stop) and (III) sudden surges of acceleration. The acceleration delay is most noticeable when moderate acceleration is desired. The pedal can be depressed nearly fully with no noticeable acceleration for a short period. After the delay the car will accelerate, often in a surge. From a full stop acceleration is often a jerky affair. The acceleration issues significantly compromise safety due to the unexpected vehicle performance, both with the acceleration delay and the sudden surge of acceleration that occurs after about a second to a second and a half after the accelerator has been depressed. Often times when merging into traffic the vehicle has been nearly hit as a result of the acceleration delay. Likewise, it is nearly impossible to make a left turn until a road is empty as I have no idea how long it will take to cross opposing traffic.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #2

Sep 012011

528 6-cyl

  • 150 miles
After purchasing my 2011 528I I noticed the car would not accelerate smoothly from a stop or after slowing down to make a turn, it actually felt like it was applying the breaks until you applied close to half throttle then it would lurch forward. The car was taken to dealer and received a patch and programming which made no change. To top all of this off it picks and chooses when its going to drive "normal" so you don't know what to expect....this is unsafe...... on the freeway it wont downshift to pass unless pressed to the floor, the motor just lugs and wont give you the expected response causing cars and trucks alike to be cut off because you didn't accelerate as expected.... I cant believe BMW is allowing its flagship model the 5 series to have these issues and not address them.... the car pulled to the right as described by many, I took it to the dealer and left at the end of the day with a $300 alignment"???? I'm concerned with getting stuck with a lemon $50,000 car that I wont be able to sell, atleast offer a buy back program??" help!!!!!

- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

problem #1

Nov 242012

528 6-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
From a complete stop, when accelerating, there is a lag or hesitation before the car takes off. When it does take off, there is a hard jerk. It makes it very hard to gauge the distance between you and other cars when it lunges very quickly. If you're pulling into traffic, as in my case, it can be very dangerous. Also if it's wet, and this happens, it could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. This needs to be investigated, as it can be a major safety issue.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

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