YearToAvoid

2011 BMW 528i Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 25 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2011 BMW 528i, 21% of its 117 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 44,740 miles. No related recalls are listed for this component area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
25
21% of 117
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
44,740 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a hesitation or lag of about 1-2 seconds when accelerating from a stop, followed by a hard jerk or lunge once the car takes off.
  • Several drivers describe delayed acceleration specifically after slowing to a speed between about 18 and 24 mph, not just from a full stop.
  • Some owners report the transmission or drivetrain seems to skip a gear, producing a jerk that feels like being rear-ended at stoplights or in parking lots.
  • A few complaints describe loss of power or shaking while driving, sometimes tied to cold weather, along with an illuminated drivetrain malfunction light.
  • One owner reported the vehicle jerking forward when slowing to a stop, noted in connection with a Takata airbag recall on the same car.

When 2011 BMW 528i transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 22, 2013, latest Nov 17, 2025.

2011 BMW 528i transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2013Nov 2013Dec 2014Nov 2015May 2016Aug 2019Jan 2024Nov 2025
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2013 to Nov 2025; peak Feb 2013 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2011 BMW 528i

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by 528i model year

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

  1. 20070 (0%)
  2. 200815 (13%)
  3. 20090 (0%)
  4. 20109 (14%)
  5. 201125 (21%)
  6. 201220 (22%)
  7. 201313 (18%)
  8. 20145 (9%)
  9. 20153 (5%)
  10. 20163 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

Are transmission problems common on the 2011 BMW 528i?
NHTSA records 25 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2011 528i, which is 21% of all 117 complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 528i transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure among reported cases is 44,740 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2011 BMW 528i transmission?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2011 528i.
What do owners describe as the main transmission symptom?
Owners most often describe a lag or hesitation when accelerating from a stop or low speed, followed by a hard jerk or lunge forward.
Did the 2011 528i transmission issues cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data for this component area on the 2011 528i lists 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries.

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.