BMW 528i Complaints (2011)

118 consumer complaints on file.

#11505458February 3, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I have a 2011 SIX-cylinder BMW 528i. I was driving down the road and had a yellow engine light come on and my car lost all power and I coasted into a parking area and then had my vehicle towed to the BMW Service Center. They determined the problem was that the VANOS UNIT BOLTS had broken off and they repaired the vehicle charging me $6678.11. I found out about a recall for 2010-2012 5 series BMW’s and my service advisor told me that I didn’t qualify for is because the recall had expired in 2021. I called BMW North America and they referred me to NHITSA. I have a video sent to me from the service technician showing me where the bolts had sheared off. I feel that this should have been repaired by BMW at no charge to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503440January 24, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that her son saw the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that her son was afraid to drive the vehicle and had the vehicle towed back to his parent's residence and then towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the VANOS housing bolts and PVC cover needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 115,000. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11492924November 9, 2022
AIR BAGS, STEERING, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
I noticed all of a sudden when I would turn my steering wheel it would make a clicking sound. Then none of my controls were working on the steering wheel. The horn wouldnt work none of the buttons and the air bag malfunction light was on. I researched and quite a few people had the same problem and I found out it was the ribbon wire inside the steering wheel had snapped and broke. The clock spring i guess might have failed or something. So now i have no horn or airbag and it's very dangerous. To ha e it replaced will be a few hundred dollars. This car just keeps having one problem after another. This seems like a really bad design and it is easily broken. I think they should recall this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467911June 7, 2022
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT, TIRES:VALVE
275R70/20
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463701May 7, 2022
ENGINE
SUBJECT: Recall Campaign 14V-176: N51, N52K and N52T Engine – Replace VANOS Gear Bolts, (This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B11 07 14 dated September 2014). My 2011 BMW 528i has around 279000KM and Vanos Gear bolts are broken that Could Lead to Engine Stall and although NHTSA has issued recall campaign but BMW dealers are refusing the repair by saying that no such recall is showing against my vin [XXX]. As per online research this is a known issue in my car model and NHTSA has already issued a recall campaign#14V-176 as showing at the top of this statement. I had this issue with VANOS for almost 3 yrs as car was throwing error message once in a while and engine hesitates and bogs at lower RPM. Rough idling/ increase in engine misfires, Increase in fuel consumption. I changed several parts to troubleshoot but could not figure out the actual root cause of this problem, until recently an independent shop opened the engine to change the Engine valve cover/PCV valve, when they noticed that 2 VANOS Gear bolts are broken. That mechanic advised me to contact BMW immediately and stop driving the car as this can lead to permanent serious damage to my engine and car will stall immediately that may cause an accident or a crash. I have always taken good care of this car and hoping BMW to cover the parts/labor cost under recall campaign. I would really appreciate your help is getting this matter resolved with BMW Canada. [XXX] . [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421045June 15, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528i. The contact stated that the driver’s side headlight housing had an excessive amount of moisture inside. The vehicle failed to start. The daytime and parking light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11405485March 29, 2021
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A F10 2011. I HAVE BEEN WAITING ON SOME REIMBURSEMENT FROM BMW SINCE 2017! NOW I CAN'T FIND ANY RECORD OF THEIR PROMISES M. I BOUGHT MY 528I IN 2015. REPLACES WATER PUMP TWICE, PULLY, TENCH-NOR, MORE THAN 5 TIMES, AND SOME BELTS. IT LAGGED ON THE FWY AND OTHER TIMES IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. EVERY TIME I DROVE IT, IT SMELLED LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. OH, LET'S NOT FORGET THE FAULTY CRANK SHAFT AND THE AIRBAG ARE BOTH BROKEN. AND NOW, SINCE 2018 IT SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY LOOKING BRAND NEW. STUCK PAYING MY NOTE @ $700. AND HAVE TO RENT FROM AVIS $1,000 A MONTH. THIS IS NOT FAIR. THE LAST TIME I HAVE HEARD FROM BMW NORTH WAS OVER A YEAR AGO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11396026February 13, 2021
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS AT MY FIANC GRANDADS FUNERAL SATURDAY 02/06/2021 AND THE CAR STARTED ACTING STRANGE IMMEDIATELY I HEARD STRANGE NOICE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE GOT A DIAGNOSIS AND MECHANIC TOLD ME VVT ISSUES GOT IF FIXED AT A CERTIFIED BMW TECH AND ON HIS BULLETIN I SEEN THE RECALL AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THAT HE GETS MANY CARS EVERY WEEK FOR THIS JOB HE TOLD ME I WOULD BE REIMBURSED FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA I HAVE ALL THE RECITES FOR THE LABOR AND PARTS AND I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP IN GETTING THIS RESOLVED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11388184January 14, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11375484November 20, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS BMW TRANSMISSION. THEY ARE VERY NOT RELIABLE, MY CAR WON'T GO REVERSE OR PARK. INVESTIGATING THIS WILL MAKE BMW LEARN FROM HOW TO MAKE RELIABLE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11318898March 21, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERYTIME THE ENGINE HEATS UP TO NORMAL OPERATION. TEMPARETURE AND THE REVS UP TEMPORARILY MAKING IT DIFFICULT EVERY YEAR TO DO EMISSIONS TESTING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11297388January 6, 2020
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE WAS OPENED AND HE NOTICED WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE WATER WAS SIPHONED FROM THE TRUNK WITH A PUMP. BMW OF COLUMBIA (LOCATED AT 250 KILLIAN COMMONS PARKWAY, COLUMBIA, SC 29203, (803) 404-5400) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11267213October 9, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11242402August 7, 2019
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
CAR STALLS, AND A BUNCH OF MALFUNCTIONS ARISE, ULTIMATELY LEAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11190830March 22, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT WIRING IS SHORTING OUT DUE TO THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE WIRING DEGRADING. THIS ISSUE IS CURRENTLY ONLY AFFECTING THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BUT HAS CAUSED A SHORT IN THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WHICH, WITHOUT REPAIR, WILL EVENTUALLY AFFECT THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE A SHORT IN ONE HEADLIGHT CAN LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM LEAVING ME WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. THIS ISSUE IS APPARENTLY CAUSED BY WIRING WHICH DEGRADES IN HIGHER HEAT WHICH SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11164950January 7, 2019
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE SLIPS WHEN ACCELERATING (ESPECIALLY UPHILL). IT LOST POWER TWICE AND I RESET THE MODULES BY TURNING ON THE ELECTRICAL AND STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR FOR 30 SECONDS. BUT IT CONTINUES TO SLIP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11133496October 5, 2018
SEATS
THE DRIVER SEAT REQUIRED CALIBRATION. I TRIED TO DO IT MYSELF AND STILL HAVE THE MESSAGE ON THE BOARD THAT REQUIRED CALIBRATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11131601September 25, 2018
POWER TRAIN, STEERING
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POPPED OUT OF GEAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. AND STALLED
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11118124August 6, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF BAYSIDE, 266 E SHOE RD, GREAT NECK, NY 11023, 516-304-3700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11091218May 1, 2018
ENGINE
RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE PCV HEATER(BLOW-BY-HEATER) WHICH ALSO CAUSED MY ENGINE TO MALFUNCTION. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE DEC 2017, THE RECALL DIDN'T GET REPLACED UNTIL ALMOST MAY OF 2018. DURING THIS TIME I HAD TO STORE MY OWN VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT DOWN THE DAY OF THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS NOW EXPERIENCE WHISTLING, SHAKING/VIBRATION OF THE CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON. THE RECALLED FAILED MY CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP INITIALLY AGREED TO THIS OVER PHONE BUT THEN RETRACTED THEIR STATEMENTS IN TEXT MESSAGES. I HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND TO BE TREATED AS SUCH IS A DISGRACE. THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING NOW CORRELATES WITH THE PROBLEMS OF THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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