BMW 528I problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every 528I from 1997 to 2016: 832 owner complaints and 28 recalls across 15 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2008 (118), 2011 (117), 2012 (90). Best fuel economy: 27 mpg combined (2016).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 | 41 | 21 | |
| 1998 | 0 | 33 | 20 | |
| 1999 | 0 | 46 | 21 | |
| 2000 | 1 | 42 | 21 | |
| 2001 | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2008 | 2 | 118 | 21 | |
| 2009 | 2 | 23 | 21 | |
| 2010 | 2 | 65 | 22 | |
| 2011 | 4 | 117 | 25 | |
| 2012 | 4 | 90 | 27 | |
| 2013 | 4 | 73 | 27 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 57 | 26 | |
| 2015 | 1 | 65 | 26 | |
| 2016 | 4 | 59 | 27 |
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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 BMW 528I.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the BMW 528I?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2008 (118), 2011 (117), 2012 (90).
How many recalls has the BMW 528I had?
Across 1997–2016, NHTSA lists 28 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).