How common are engine problems on the 2011 BMW 528i?

NHTSA lists 67 engine complaints out of 117 total complaints for the 2011 528i, or 57% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2011 BMW 528i engine?

Yes. Recall 17V683000 covers a PCV valve heater replacement, and recall 14V176000 covers replacement of VANOS housing bolts on both intake and exhaust units.

At what mileage do 2011 528i engine problems usually appear?

NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 91,500 miles for engine-related complaints on this model year.

Did the 2011 528i engine problems cause any crashes or injuries?

NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries associated with engine complaints for this model year.

2011 BMW 528i Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 67 of 117 total complaints (57%) filed on the 2011 BMW 528i. Owners most often report acceleration hesitation, stalling, and VANOS bolt-related knocking, with a median failure mileage of 91,500. Two related recalls (17V683000 and 14V176000) address PCV valve heater and VANOS bolt issues.

Engine complaints: 67; 57% of 117
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 91,500 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Vehicles hesitate or pause when accelerating from a stop or at low speed, then lurch or jerk forward once power engages.
Some owners report the engine stalling suddenly while driving, including at highway speeds around 75 mph.
A burning odor was reported in connection with the PCV valve heater recall (17V683000) when replacement parts were unavailable.
Owners describe knocking noises tied to loose VANOS housing bolts, which is addressed by recall 14V176000.
Some drivers report low coolant warnings appearing alongside stalling and possible engine damage concerns.
Accelerator pedal input was reported to fail to respond on some vehicles, with the issue recurring after dealer visits.

When 2011 BMW 528i engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 10, 2012, latest Nov 17, 2025.

67 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2012 to Nov 2025; peak Jul 2024 (7).

Engine recalls for the 2011 BMW 528i

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 14V176000Apr 10, 2014Engine156,137 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine complaints by 528i model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201034 (52%)
201167 (57%)
201249 (54%)
201348 (66%)
201434 (60%)
201547 (72%)
201644 (75%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2011 BMW 528i?: NHTSA lists 67 engine complaints out of 117 total complaints for the 2011 528i, or 57% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 BMW 528i engine?: Yes. Recall 17V683000 covers a PCV valve heater replacement, and recall 14V176000 covers replacement of VANOS housing bolts on both intake and exhaust units.
At what mileage do 2011 528i engine problems usually appear?: NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 91,500 miles for engine-related complaints on this model year.
Did the 2011 528i engine problems cause any crashes or injuries?: NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries associated with engine complaints for this model year.