2011 BMW 528I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 BMW 528I: 4 recalls, 117 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #14V176000 · 2014 · 156,137 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the bolts loosen or break the engine May have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #16V746000 · 2016 · 136,188 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V832000 · 2016 · 91 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the scu, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #17V683000 · 2017 · 740,561 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (33): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (12), warning light on (6).
- Engine & cooling (32): the most common themes are warning light on (15), stalls / loses power (10).
- Transmission & drivetrain (25): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (14), stalls / loses power (6).
- Fuel & propulsion (17): the most common themes are electrical failure (3), won't start (2).
The 2011 BMW 528I has 117 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 15 528I model years for complaints (2.1× the average 528I year). Complaints peaked in 2024 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 74,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (65 complaints, 2 recalls), 2012 (90 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 BMW 528I.
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FAQ
Does the 2011 BMW 528I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2011 BMW 528I. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 BMW 528I problems?
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (33), engine & cooling (32), transmission & drivetrain (25).
What gas mileage does the 2011 BMW 528I get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2011 BMW 528I repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.