YearToAvoid

2010 BMW 528i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2010 BMW 528i has a complaint index of 67, ranking 4th worst out of 10 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 52% of its 65 complaints, with 4 reported fires and 2 recalls tied to the PCV valve heater and taillight wiring.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
67/100
#4 of 10 528i years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
65
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
4
Injuries
1
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20.5
17.5 city / 26 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2010 BMW 528i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine34 (52%)
  2. Electrical System12 (18%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain9 (14%)
  4. Airbags7 (11%)
  5. Fuel System7 (11%)
  6. Brakes3 (5%)
  7. Other3 (5%)
  8. Seat Belts3 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (5%)
  10. Steering1 (2%)

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

What owners report

  • Engine compartment smoke and burning plastic smell leading to fires, sometimes while driving on the highway.
  • Vehicle shaking, vibrating, or jerking intermittently before smoke or fire appeared under the hood.
  • Rear taillight connector melting due to overheating at the ground wire, triggering a rear lamp malfunction warning.
  • Transmission jerking forward at a stop or surging and downshifting suddenly at speeds between 40 and 65 mph.
  • Passenger seat occupancy warning indicator illuminating without the airbag system being diagnosed or repaired.
  • Airbag failing to deploy during a rear-end crash despite significant impact.
2010 BMW 528i complaints: complaints filed per quarter52010 Q22014 Q32016 Q32018 Q22020 Q12022 Q32024 Q12025 Q3
65 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q2 to 2025 Q4; peak 2023 Q4 (5).

2010 BMW 528i recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V683000Oct 30, 2017Engine740,561 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 13V407000Sep 11, 2013Electrical System134,100 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:tail lights

    BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).

    Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

2010 BMW 528i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
20.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,900
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other 528i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Avoid100118221
2009Good1122220.5
2010Caution6765220.5
2011Avoid89117425
2012Avoid7890426.5

All BMW 528i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 BMW 528i reliable?
It ranks 4th worst among 10 model years of the 528i, with a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict. Engine complaints, including several fires, make up 52% of the total 65 complaints filed.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 BMW 528i?
Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 34 of 65 complaints (52%), including 4 reported fires linked to the PCV valve heater recall.
Does the 2010 BMW 528i have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a PCV valve heater replacement in the engine system and one for replacing rear lamp bulb carriers due to overheating electrical contacts.
How does the 2010 528i compare to other years?
The 2010 528i's complaint index of 67 is worse than the 2009 (11, Good), 2013 (33, Good), and 2014 (22, Best) model years, but better than 2008 (100, Avoid) and 2011 (89, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 BMW 528i?
EPA rates the 2010 528i at 20.5 mpg combined (17.5 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.