2012 BMW 528i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#2 most-complained of 7 528i years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2012 BMW 528i has 90 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls, with a complaint index of 83, ranking it 2nd worst out of 7 model years. Owners report engine problems most often (49 complaints, 54% share), with a median failure mileage of 83,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 90
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 22.5 city / 33 hwy
Top 2012 BMW 528i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine49 (54%)
- Fuel System29 (32%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (22%)
- Electrical System13 (14%)
- Other12 (13%)
- Brakes5 (6%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
- Steering3 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
What owners report
- Engine catches fire while driving, sometimes with no warning smoke beforehand.
- Warning message about adding a quart of oil appears alongside engine smoke and fire.
- Fuel system malfunction message triggers sudden lurching and complete loss of propulsion while driving.
- Drivetrain malfunction alert causes the engine to cut out and the car to stall in traffic.
- Oil filter housing made of plastic leaks oil onto the ground, occurring outside the mileage warranty.
- Engine vibrates excessively at a stop and diagnosis points to a defective oil reservoir mixing oil with coolant.
2012 BMW 528i recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. 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.
- NHTSA 14V627000Oct 7, 2014Brakes8,988 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2012 BMW 528i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,000
- 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.
2012 compared with other 528i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 BMW 528i reliable?
- Among 528i model years with data, 2012 ranks 2nd worst out of 7, with a complaint index of 83 and 90 NHTSA complaints. Engine problems make up 54% of those complaints.
- What year BMW 528i should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2011 has the highest complaint index at 100 and is also rated Avoid, while 2012 follows close behind with an index of 83. 2014 and 2016 score best, with indexes of 0 and 17.
- Does the 2012 BMW 528i have engine problems?
- Yes. Engine issues account for 49 of 90 complaints (54%), including reported engine fires, with a median failure mileage of 83,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 BMW 528i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 528i, covering the electrical system (water pump), fuel system (fuel pump module), and brakes (camshaft seal and vacuum pump lubrication).
- How many fires have been reported for the 2012 BMW 528i?
- NHTSA complaint data shows 3 fires reported for the 2012 528i, along with 3 injuries and 0 crashes.