YearToAvoid

2009 BMW 528xi Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#5 most-complained of 6 528xi years

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

The 2009 BMW 528xi has 6 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 20 out of 100 — #5 highest of 6 528xi model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (4 complaints, 67% of the total). Complaints report 1 fire.

Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2009 BMW 528xi problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine4 (67%)
  2. Electrical System2 (33%)
  3. Other1 (17%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain1 (17%)
2009 BMW 528xi complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2013Nov 2014Oct 2017Feb 2018Sep 2018
8 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2013 to Sep 2018; peak Sep 2018 (3).

2009 BMW 528xi recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2009 compared with other 528xi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200820092010201220132014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Caution6031020
2009Best2060—
2010Good40100—
2012Avoid100540—

All BMW 528xi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 BMW 528xi a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 BMW 528xi ranks #5 of 6 among 528xi model years (Complaint Index 20/100, verdict: Best). It has 6 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 528xi?
The most reported problem areas are engine (4 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 77,000 miles.
Does the 2009 BMW 528xi have any recalls?
No safety recall campaigns list the 2009 BMW 528xi in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.

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.