2011 BMW 528i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 BMW 528i ranks 2nd worst out of 10 model years with a complaint index of 89 and 117 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 57% of complaints, with 4 recalls covering engine, airbags, and fuel system.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #2 of 10 528i years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 117
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2011 BMW 528i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine67 (57%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (21%)
- Fuel System23 (20%)
- Electrical System10 (9%)
- Other10 (9%)
- Steering6 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
- Structure & Body3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe hesitation and lag of about 1-2 seconds when accelerating from a stop or low speed.
- Some report a hard jerk or lunge forward after the initial delay when the throttle finally responds.
- Engine stalling was reported while driving at highway speed, with dealers unable to diagnose the cause.
- An abnormal burning odor was reported, tied to an engine and engine-cooling recall where replacement parts were unavailable.
- Transmission behavior was described as feeling like brakes were being applied before a delayed, forceful acceleration.
- Sudden surges of acceleration were reported after the hesitation, making it hard to judge distance from other cars.
2011 BMW 528i recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 16V832000Nov 17, 2016Airbags91 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit. These SCUs have an acceleration sensor that may have been incorrectly programmed and, as a result, the SCU may not accurately determine if activation and deployment of the air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and head restraints is necessary in the event of a crash.
Risk: Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SCU, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 16V746000Oct 17, 2016Fuel System136,188 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
Risk: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2011 BMW 528i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2011 compared with other 528i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 BMW 528i reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 528i ranks 2nd worst of 10 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 89 and an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 BMW 528i?
- Engine complaints make up 57% of all reports (67 of 117 complaints), with a median mileage at failure of 91,500 miles.
- Does the 2011 BMW 528i have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 528i, covering the engine (PCV valve heater and VANOS bolts), airbags (SCU replacement), and fuel system (fuel pump module).
- How does the 2011 528i compare to other years?
- The 2011 528i's complaint index of 89 is worse than most other years; only the 2008 528i (complaint index 100) ranks worse. Years like 2014 (index 22, Best) and 2009 (index 11, Good) fare much better.
- What mileage do 2011 528i engine problems typically appear at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 91,500 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2011 528i.