2016 BMW 528I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 BMW 528I: 4 recalls, 59 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Child seat, Seats Vehicle recall #15V718000 · 2015 · 7,162 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that May have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles May fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 225, "child restraint anchorage systems."
Why it matters: If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #16V747000 · 2016 · 15,455 vehicles
What's wrong: The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt emergency locking retractor (elr) for the driver's seat May not lock as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Why it matters: In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the emergency locking retractor (elr) May activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V914000 · 2016 · 3,506 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that May fail to ignite during a crash.
Why it matters: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017.
Electrical, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #24V608000 · 2024 · 720,796 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (33): the most common themes are electrical failure (27), fire / smoke (12), warning light on (9).
- Engine & cooling (26): the most common themes are electrical failure (25), warning light on (9), fire / smoke (7).
- Engine (17): the most common themes are leaks (8), fire / smoke (8), overheating (5).
- Airbags (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2016 BMW 528I has 59 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 15 528I model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 55). Complaints peaked in 2025 (31 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 77,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (65 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | 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 2016 BMW 528I.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2016 BMW 528I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2016 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 2016 BMW 528I problems?
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (33), engine & cooling (26), engine (17).
What gas mileage does the 2016 BMW 528I get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 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.