The Used Car Index

2016 BMW 528I problems

NHTSA lists 59 complaints for the 2016 BMW 528I, 1 of them mention a crash and 4 mention a fire. 2 complaints mention an injury, with 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW 528I.

At a glance

Complaints
59
With crash
1
With fire
4
With injury (complaints)
2
Injuries
2
Deaths
0
Recalls
4
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
720,796
Investigations
1
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
208

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3355.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2644.1%
ENGINE1728.8%
AIR BAGS58.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM58.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER58.5%
POWER TRAIN35.1%
SUSPENSION35.1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING23.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL23.4%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
fire or overheating1627.1%0.82
unclear1220.3%0.88
mechanical failure1016.9%0.63
fluid or fuel leak813.6%0.94
electrical electronic46.8%0.88
restraint or airbag46.8%1.00
noise or comfort23.4%0.90
visibility or lighting23.4%0.97
loss of control11.7%0.74
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate3457.6%0.84
low2033.9%0.79
high35.1%0.98
critical23.4%0.96

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 59 tagged complaints of 59 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

4 recalls.

24V608000

Date: 2024-08-13. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed t (excerpt)

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V914000

Date: 2016-12-20. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i x (excerpt)

Consequence: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V747000

Date: 2016-10-17. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, MINI Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S, MINI Cooper Clubman, and Cooper S Clubman, 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost, and 2016 528i vehicles. The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) for the driver's seat may not lock as designed. As such, (excerpt)

Consequence: In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) may activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury. (excerpt)

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V718000

Date: 2015-10-30. Systems: CHILD SEAT, SEATS.

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply (excerpt)

Consequence: If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 1 open.

EA21002

Opened: 2021-09-17. Closed: Not listed.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

208 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT69
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
ENGINE31
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING30
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY16
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE14
POWER TRAIN12
STRUCTURE11

10249437

Date: 2024-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

10249027

Date: 2024-01-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle A A?A A A A discharged batteryA A?A A A A compl

10247567

Date: 2023-12-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, rec

10245422

Date: 2023-11-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleA A?A A A A s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm L

10245364

Date: 2023-11-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

DIESEL FUEL INJECTORS: LTD WTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES

10245365

Date: 2023-11-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE (PCV) EXTENDED LTD WTY 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES

10239605

Date: 2023-06-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: WHEELS.

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving. The following DSC fault codes for the wheel speed sensors are stored: 480712 and/or 480715 and/or 480718 and/or 48071B They cannot be cleared, even though the wheel speed sensors work correctly and no problem can be found

10238090

Date: 2023-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.

10230716

Date: 2022-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC.

10230717

Date: 2022-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
528I59

Same model, other years

All model years | All BMW models

Other BMW models, 2016

Sources

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