2012 BMW 528XI

0 recalls, 87 complaints - 9 TSBs - 5/5 safety rating

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

87 total complaints 3 crashes 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE31
POWER TRAIN16
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
STRUCTURE:BODY2
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION2
AIR BAGS2
SEATS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 6, 2026
Incident date: Mar 23, 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... Read more
ENGINE Jul 6, 2026
Incident date: Mar 23, 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... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jun 22, 2026
Incident date: Mar 11, 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... Read more
ENGINE Feb 3, 2026
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Diesel and to request immediate review and assistance from General Motors. I purchased this vehicle from a GM dealership in 2024 with approximately 70,000 miles for roughly $42,000. The veh... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Feb 3, 2026
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Diesel and to request immediate review and assistance from General Motors. I purchased this vehicle from a GM dealership in 2024 with approximately 70,000 miles for roughly $42,000. The veh... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Aug 5, 2025
Incident date: Aug 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was parking the vehicle, the driver noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment and a coolant odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact added coolant to the v... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Apr 14, 2025
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
Star system is malfunctioning. I cannot access the control panel because of delamination. This causes difficulty viewing backup camera and driver distraction.
POWER TRAIN Apr 14, 2025
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328D. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. Additionally, while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an ind... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS:ACTIVE SHUTTERS/GRILL Apr 14, 2025
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Active Air DAM System fault detected" was displayed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the driver's Side Active Air Dam ... Read more
ENGINE Feb 27, 2025
Incident date: May 17, 2024
With no warnings from the vehicle, I noticed a loud knocking sound while driving home. I was able to make it home and have the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was found to be in engine failure due to failure of engine bearing. I had to have a complete engine replacement. My car only had 65k ... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 13, 2024
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
The vehicle's instrument panel automatically dims excessively at dusk and dawn. When it does this, the speedometer and other information in the dashboard are not visible. There is no way to adjust the brightness any higher and no way to disable this auto dim feature. This is, to my knowledge, ... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Dec 13, 2024
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
On walk through rear awning flew off in slight breeze, took 4 years to get repaired with covid and parts availability, could have just as easily came off on the road, had two 3/4'' screws holding it on and into skin, not frame. Upon looking at bedroom night tables gap at front cap found rub marks on... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Dec 13, 2024
Incident date: Oct 2, 2024
On walk through rear awning flew off in slight breeze, took 4 years to get repaired with covid and parts availability, could have just as easily came off on the road, had two 3/4'' screws holding it on and into skin, not frame. Upon looking at bedroom night tables gap at front cap found rub marks on... Read more
SEAT BELTS Dec 9, 2024
Incident date: Nov 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that the seat belts in the second row of the vehicle on the passenger’s and driver’s side failed to latch securely and unlatched while driving. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to latch the seat belts. Additionally,... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 18, 2024
Incident date: Jun 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving or parked, the door locks, gas cap sensor, and tailgate were not working as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related... Read more
ENGINE Feb 8, 2024
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
My 2019 GMC Acacia SLT would not go into park to allow me to shut off my vehicle. It ran for over an hour before it finally went into park. This was dangerous as I had a young child to pick up in a busy part of town and I had to leave it running to try to get help. With a 3 year old child this was c... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Feb 8, 2024
Incident date: Oct 1, 2023
We are having issues with our new CRV hybrid. We hear clicking sound whenever we are on uphill curvy road. Another issue is the driver’s side mirror appears distorted/blurry.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Dec 8, 2023
Incident date: Nov 24, 2023
Ref NHTSA TRACKING # 11557625 Vehicle broke down again within 5K miles and 45 days of prior repair referenced in above case. Similar conditions, highway speed, bucking and vibrating, loss of speed control, no warning. Subsequent repair confirmed same issue (fuel injector) as original breakdown/repa... Read more
ENGINE Aug 22, 2023
Incident date: Jul 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. Upon attempting to drive the vehicle, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. Th... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Apr 4, 2023
Incident date: Mar 21, 2023
While driving with sound volume at normal setting (volume 8), speakers started to pop and static erratically, which startled me, almost causing an accident. The issue will randomly go away, no warning lights on screen or dashboard. The static and pop sounds still continued at volume setting one. The... Read more
WHEELS Feb 8, 2023
Incident date: Feb 1, 2023
After exiting the highway onto a side road, the vehicle began to shake violently (like we were on a very bumpy road). I pulled into a parking lot thinking we had a flat tire. Then the vehicle suddenly came to a stop and would not move forward and would not move backwards. There was no flat tire, bu... Read more
POWER TRAIN Sep 4, 2022
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
Car just wouldn't start one day. Drivetrain malfunction warning indicating timing chain replacement. Car just sits in my driveway. Will cost 6 grand to fix. Timing Chain failure probably effected my engine.
ENGINE Sep 4, 2022
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
Car just wouldn't start one day. Drivetrain malfunction warning indicating timing chain replacement. Car just sits in my driveway. Will cost 6 grand to fix. Timing Chain failure probably effected my engine.
ENGINE Aug 29, 2022
Incident date: Sep 18, 2018
While driving my car at about 30 miles per hour the engine suddenly seized up. There was no warning at all. I had it towed to the dealer, Baron BMW in Merriam Kansas. After evaluating the car they determined the engine failed and it was an issue of lack of oil. I had taken the car to this dealer pri... Read more
ENGINE Jul 27, 2022
Incident date: Jul 26, 2022
With no prior warning or issues my car displayed a drive train error followed by a low pressure error and immediately lost power. The timing chain blew and destroyed the engine.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CHAIN/BELT Jun 15, 2022
Incident date: Jun 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not ... Read more
POWER TRAIN May 12, 2022
Incident date: May 8, 2022
While driving on the Grand Central Plwy, Queens, NY, a drive train motification came on and stated to drive moderately, right after the oil light came on. We were near a gas station, and added a quart of oil. The oil light went out, the car started without hesitation. We decided to go home, we got ... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM May 12, 2022
Incident date: May 8, 2022
While driving on the Grand Central Plwy, Queens, NY, a drive train motification came on and stated to drive moderately, right after the oil light came on. We were near a gas station, and added a quart of oil. The oil light went out, the car started without hesitation. We decided to go home, we got ... Read more
ENGINE May 12, 2022
Incident date: May 8, 2022
While driving on the Grand Central Plwy, Queens, NY, a drive train motification came on and stated to drive moderately, right after the oil light came on. We were near a gas station, and added a quart of oil. The oil light went out, the car started without hesitation. We decided to go home, we got ... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Sep 21, 2021
Incident date: Jul 29, 2020
Car begin to stall on traffic, drivetrain malfunction light appeared..Took it to BMW DEALER My Fuel Pump replace with new EKP module- Which is the same recall that BMW issued in 2017 which included the Model/year vehicle that i have.
POWER TRAIN Sep 21, 2021
Incident date: Jul 29, 2020
Car begin to stall on traffic, drivetrain malfunction light appeared..Took it to BMW DEALER My Fuel Pump replace with new EKP module- Which is the same recall that BMW issued in 2017 which included the Model/year vehicle that i have.
ENGINE Aug 11, 2021
Incident date: Aug 9, 2021
in 2020 the engine started malfunctioning at 76,000 miles. I took it into the BMW dealership to get it inspected and they stated that it was a valve issue and charged replacement. After replacement, the engine lit would come on and I called the representative. He stated that it would need time to re... Read more
POWER TRAIN Aug 11, 2021
Incident date: Aug 9, 2021
in 2020 the engine started malfunctioning at 76,000 miles. I took it into the BMW dealership to get it inspected and they stated that it was a valve issue and charged replacement. After replacement, the engine lit would come on and I called the representative. He stated that it would need time to re... Read more
ENGINE Apr 8, 2021
Incident date: Nov 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MESSAGE READ "DO NOT STOP VEHICLE, MAYBE UNABLE TO RESTART; CHARGING ERROR" WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IND... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Apr 8, 2021
Incident date: Nov 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MESSAGE READ "DO NOT STOP VEHICLE, MAYBE UNABLE TO RESTART; CHARGING ERROR" WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IND... Read more
POWER TRAIN Apr 8, 2021
Incident date: Nov 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MESSAGE READ "DO NOT STOP VEHICLE, MAYBE UNABLE TO RESTART; CHARGING ERROR" WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IND... Read more
SEATS Mar 30, 2021
Incident date: Feb 2, 2021
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. DEALERSHIP BMW OF STERLING IN STERLING VA SAYS PASSENGER SENSOR MAT HAS TO BE REPLACED AS AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
AIR BAGS Mar 30, 2021
Incident date: Feb 2, 2021
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. DEALERSHIP BMW OF STERLING IN STERLING VA SAYS PASSENGER SENSOR MAT HAS TO BE REPLACED AS AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jan 14, 2021
Incident date: Jan 16, 2019
SO I BOUGHT A BMW, THEN A LOT OF CONDENSATION AND WATER GOT INTO A HEADLIGHT AND IT MESSED UP THE WIRES AND MY TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING. ORDERED A NEW ONE AND THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING, I GOT ANOTHER ONE AND THE LIGHT ISN'T WORKING AGAIN. IVE HAD MULTIPLE MECHANICS, BMW, ETC LOOK AT MY CAR... Read more
ENGINE Nov 21, 2020
Incident date: Nov 20, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR SAYS DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION I WAS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT ON A ONE WAY STREET ON 11/20/2020 WHEN THE CAR JUST DIED NO WARNING JUST SHUT OFF WOULDN'T START COULDN'T PUT IT IN NEUTRAL BLOCKED TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 90 MINUTES BEFORE I COULD GET A TOW TRUCK TO ... Read more
POWER TRAIN Nov 21, 2020
Incident date: Nov 20, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR SAYS DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION I WAS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT ON A ONE WAY STREET ON 11/20/2020 WHEN THE CAR JUST DIED NO WARNING JUST SHUT OFF WOULDN'T START COULDN'T PUT IT IN NEUTRAL BLOCKED TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 90 MINUTES BEFORE I COULD GET A TOW TRUCK TO ... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Sep 26, 2020
Incident date: Sep 18, 2020
SUDDENLY THE CAR HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STOPPED WORKING IN MIDDLE OF NIGHT. ONLY THE RIGHT INDICATOR WORKS NOW. ITS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I THINK BMW HAD THIS ISSUE WITH SOME OF 3 SERIES MODEL... Read more
ENGINE Sep 13, 2020
Incident date: Aug 3, 2020
WHEN TURNING MY CAR ON AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR DISPLAYED A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION ERROR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER ON AUGUST 3, 2020 FOR SERVICE AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH A COMPUTER ERROR. THEY MADE A REPAIR TO THE COMPUTER AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. THIS COST $350.... Read more
POWER TRAIN Sep 13, 2020
Incident date: Aug 3, 2020
WHEN TURNING MY CAR ON AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR DISPLAYED A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION ERROR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER ON AUGUST 3, 2020 FOR SERVICE AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH A COMPUTER ERROR. THEY MADE A REPAIR TO THE COMPUTER AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. THIS COST $350.... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Aug 26, 2020
Incident date: Apr 13, 2020
WARNING FOR CHASSIS STABILIZATION IS ON, I ENCOUNTERED NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD AND I GOT REAR ENDED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD MY HAZARD LIGHTS FLASHING
Crash 1 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Aug 26, 2020
Incident date: Apr 13, 2020
WARNING FOR CHASSIS STABILIZATION IS ON, I ENCOUNTERED NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD AND I GOT REAR ENDED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD MY HAZARD LIGHTS FLASHING
Crash 1 injured
POWER TRAIN Aug 26, 2020
Incident date: Apr 13, 2020
WARNING FOR CHASSIS STABILIZATION IS ON, I ENCOUNTERED NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. I WAS ON A MAIN ROAD AND I GOT REAR ENDED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD MY HAZARD LIGHTS FLASHING
Crash 1 injured
ENGINE Jul 20, 2020
Incident date: Jul 3, 2020
MY 2012 528XI HAS 117K MILES ON IT. WHILE I WAS ON A LONG ROAD TRIP, DRIVING ON I-95 AT 1AM ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, WITHOUT ANY WEIRD ENGINE NOISES OR ANYTHING OUT OF THE NORM, THE CAR DISPLAYED A WARNING MESSAGE THAT SAID "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY WARNING "ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jul 20, 2020
Incident date: Jul 3, 2020
MY 2012 528XI HAS 117K MILES ON IT. WHILE I WAS ON A LONG ROAD TRIP, DRIVING ON I-95 AT 1AM ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, WITHOUT ANY WEIRD ENGINE NOISES OR ANYTHING OUT OF THE NORM, THE CAR DISPLAYED A WARNING MESSAGE THAT SAID "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY WARNING "ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jun 29, 2020
Incident date: Jun 4, 2020
VEHICLE MESSAGED ME WHILE DRIVING THAT OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW. STOPPED, AND RESTARTED WITH NO ISSUES. INVESTIGATED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING GUIDES BECOMING BRITTLE AND DISINTEGRATING SENDING PARTS INTO THE SPROCKETS AND THE OIL SENSORS. ALSO CHAIN... Read more

Showing 50 of 87 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2012 BMW 528XI

2012 BMW 528 XI 4 DR AWD

CategoryRating
Overall Rating 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash 4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash, Driver 4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash, Passenger 4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Side Crash 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Driver 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Passenger 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Rollover 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Rollover Risk 9.3%

Safety Technology

FeatureStatus
Electronic Stability ControlStandard
Forward Collision WarningNo
Lane Departure WarningNo

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2012 BMW 528XI

9 manufacturer communications from 6 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
350000 EQUIPMENT2
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B611305 Jan 11, 2024
110000 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 ho
B160623 Dec 20, 2023
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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: pre
B160623 Dec 20, 2023
070000 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: pre
B653423 Nov 22, 2023
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle??A?A?s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) i
B653423 Nov 22, 2023
350000 EQUIPMENT
Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle??A?A?s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) i
SIM010717 Jun 1, 2017
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
SIM010917 Jun 1, 2017
350000 EQUIPMENT
Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG)

BMW 528XI - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 528XI across all model years (2013, 2014).

2 Total Recalls
237 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
5 Reported Crashes
7 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 528XI - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2014 1 1 View
2013 1 85 View
2012 (current) 0 87
2010 0 12 View
2009 0 9 View
2008 0 43 View

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