Which BMW 528i years should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint data points to 2008, 2011, and 2012 as the years to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 100, 89, and 78 respectively, the highest among all 528i model years.

What is the best year for the BMW 528i?

The 2014 528i is rated Best, with a Complaint Index of 22, the lowest score paired with a full verdict among the years with complete data.

What problems does the 2008 BMW 528i have?

Owners most often reported electrical system issues, 39 percent of complaints for that year, including melted rear light connectors and failed turn signals or brake lights, along with engine problems at 30 percent of complaints.

Does the 2011 BMW 528i have transmission problems?

Yes, transmission and powertrain complaints make up 21 percent of 2011 528i complaints, with owners describing hesitation and lurching acceleration at a median mileage of 44,740.

How many recalls does the BMW 528i have?

Across all covered model years, NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the BMW 528i, with 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016 each having four recalls.

BMW 528i Best and Worst Years (2007–2016)

Avoid the 2008, 2011, and 2012 BMW 528i, which carry the highest Complaint Index scores (100, 89, and 78) among 667 total complaints. The 2014 model is rated Best with an index of 22, while 2009, 2013, and 2016 are rated Good.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2008 Avoid 2011 Avoid 2012 Best 2014

Model years: 10; 2007–2016
NHTSA complaints: 667
Recall campaigns: 13
Crashes reported: 8
Fires reported: 40
Top problem area: Engine

528i Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

BMW 528i problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	No verdict	0	1	0	0	1	Engine	—	—
2008	Avoid	100	118	1	16	2	Electrical System	21	—
2009	Good	11	22	1	1	2	Engine	20.5	—
2010	Caution	67	65	2	4	2	Engine	20.5	—
2011	Avoid	89	117	1	1	4	Engine	25	5★
2012	Avoid	78	90	0	3	4	Engine	26.5	5★
2013	Good	33	73	1	1	4	Engine	26.5	5★
2014	Best	22	57	0	5	3	Engine	26	5★
2015	Caution	56	65	1	5	1	Engine	26	5★
2016	Good	44	59	1	4	4	Engine	26.5	—

528i years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 BMW 528i Index 100 · 118 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2008 528i has the highest Complaint Index of the lineup at 100, driven mainly by electrical system problems, which made up 39 percent of complaints for the year at a median mileage of 83,000. Owners describe rear light connectors melting and turn signals or brake lights failing, sometimes with fire risk. Engine issues followed at 30 percent, with failures reported around 112,000 miles. NHTSA lists two recalls for this year, covering a PCV valve heater and rear lamp bulb carriers affected by corroded electrical contacts.

2008 electrical system problems →2008 engine problems →2008 fuel system problems →

2011 BMW 528i Index 89 · 117 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2011 528i ranks second-worst with a Complaint Index of 89. Engine problems dominate at 57 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 91,500, including reports of hesitation and stalling odors tied to a recall for engine cooling parts. Transmission and powertrain complaints, at 21 percent, describe hesitation and lurching when accelerating from a stop or low speed, with median mileage around 44,740. NHTSA lists four recalls for this year, including airbag control unit replacement and a fuel pump module recall.

2011 engine problems →2011 transmission & powertrain problems →2011 fuel system problems →

2012 BMW 528i Index 78 · 90 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2012 528i carries a Complaint Index of 78. Engine complaints lead at 54 percent, with a median failure mileage of 83,000, including reports of engine fires while driving. Fuel system issues follow at 32 percent, median mileage 80,000. Owners also describe a passenger door popping loose while driving and steering module damage after hitting road hazards. NHTSA lists four recalls for this year, covering water pump and electrical connector issues, the fuel pump module, and a camshaft seal locking ring.

2012 engine problems →2012 fuel system problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common BMW 528i problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine371 (56%)
Electrical System204 (31%)
Fuel System94 (14%)
Transmission & Powertrain93 (14%)
Other58 (9%)
Airbags51 (8%)
Structure & Body30 (4%)
Seat Belts22 (3%)
Steering18 (3%)
Brakes17 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which BMW 528i years should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint data points to 2008, 2011, and 2012 as the years to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 100, 89, and 78 respectively, the highest among all 528i model years.
What is the best year for the BMW 528i?: The 2014 528i is rated Best, with a Complaint Index of 22, the lowest score paired with a full verdict among the years with complete data.
What problems does the 2008 BMW 528i have?: Owners most often reported electrical system issues, 39 percent of complaints for that year, including melted rear light connectors and failed turn signals or brake lights, along with engine problems at 30 percent of complaints.
Does the 2011 BMW 528i have transmission problems?: Yes, transmission and powertrain complaints make up 21 percent of 2011 528i complaints, with owners describing hesitation and lurching acceleration at a median mileage of 44,740.
How many recalls does the BMW 528i have?: Across all covered model years, NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the BMW 528i, with 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016 each having four recalls.