2010 BMW 528I problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 BMW 528I, most often about engine. There are 2 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 33
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Median mileage
- 136,500 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 24 of 33 complaints (73%).
- Electrical System (5) and airbags (3) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 136,500 mi.
- Owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury.
- The 2010 BMW 528I has 2 recalls on file.
- It ranks 5th of 9 BMW 528I model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 200% more complaints than the 2009 model year (11).
2010 BMW 528I problems by category
- 24 complaints
- Electrical System5 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash3 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain3 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion2 complaints
- Other / Unknown1 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts1 complaints
- Steering1 complaints
- Brakes1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Electrical system | 5 |
| Power train | 3 |
| Air bags | 3 |
| Service brakes | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Unknown or other | 1 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2010 BMW 528I recalls (2)
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Recent 2010 BMW 528I complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Dec 22, 2025145,000 miSCTowedEngine
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormally loud rattling sound coming from under the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in Manual Mode, the vehicle independently…
NHTSA complaint #11706489 · source - Filed Apr 21, 2025124,000 miCOTowedEngine
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact stated while making a left turn and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The brake and transmission warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and then attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended and was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was next towed to an independent…
NHTSA complaint #11655886 · source - Filed Nov 21, 2024NYEngine
I brought the car into BMW Manhattan after receiving the recall letter. They have refused to perfom the correction based on the fact that I had to replace the engine dues to a engine defect that cracked the number 6 cylinder in the original engine. I am confident BMW has the abilty to check the engine number and see that it requires the recall. They only stated it wasnt the original engine so they did not perform the work required by ther recall.
NHTSA complaint #11626683 · source - Filed Nov 1, 2024CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The car smells like gas by the rear wheels. In speaking with other owners of this vehicle this is a defective flaw in the vehicle it is a known problem in this vehicle and there has been no recall. This is a serious concern as gasoline is highly flammable. I have had to spend thousands of dollars fixing problems with this car and I cannot afford to fix this issue. This is a major concern. Please advise a fix ASAP
NHTSA complaint #11623122 · source - Filed Jun 24, 2024178,000 miDEEngine
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at an…
NHTSA complaint #11596148 · source - Filed Jun 6, 2024SCOther / Unknown
N/A Complaint is that no remedy is available 8 months after recall issued. Currently this particular car is still drivable, but suffers oil leaks from this lack of repair. No local dealer or repair shops can fix ahead of the recall because they cannot get the repair bolts either. Eight months is a ridiculous amount of time to wait for a manufacture repair.
NHTSA complaint #11592868 · source - Filed Apr 2, 2024LATowedEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and flashed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that fuel was leaking form the engine. The contact was unaware of what part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11580653 · source - Filed Jan 24, 2024160,000 miNYEngine
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the VANOS…
NHTSA complaint #11567459 · source
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Other 2010 BMW models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology