2016 BMW 528I electrical system problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

33 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2016 BMW 528I, 57% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 85,000 mi.

Electrical System complaints
33
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
1
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
85,000 mi

Specific components reported

Electrical System covers: Battery, wiring, infotainment, instrument cluster, communication and software.

ComponentComplaints
Electrical system33

Electrical System complaints across BMW 528I years

6200832009520103201162012112013252014362015332016
Electrical System complaints by model year. The 2016 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k130k–60k660k–100k3100k–150k1150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 24V608000Aug 13, 2024720,796 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

    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 circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jan 27, 2026CAFireBody & StructureElectrical SystemEngine
    On January 29, 2020, while driving my 2016 BMW 5 Series under normal operating conditions, the engine compartment caught fire without warning. Smoke and flames originated from the engine bay while the vehicle was in motion. I was forced to pull over and exit the vehicle immediately. The fire spread rapidly, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. At the time, both my insurance carrier and BMW representatives inspected the vehicle, but no definitive cause was identified.…
    NHTSA complaint #11713522 · source
  2. Filed Nov 2, 2025CAFire1 injuredElectrical SystemEngine
    My coolant line overheated. From the leaking water pump and pcv that exploded all over my engine causing it to overheat and now how has not turned back on. Ive been without a car for months and when I seen the recall and reached out to the dealer expressing my situation they said they would get back to me and have not called or emailed or even responded in months.
    NHTSA complaint #11697057 · source
  3. Filed Aug 27, 2025AZElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    A critical component failure has rendered my 2016 BMW 528xi inoperable and unsafe. The water pump failed, forcing the car into a safety "limp mode," limiting its speed to approximately 40 miles per hour. This issue mirrors NHTSA Recall 24V-608 regarding an electrical connector on the water pump that can short circuit, potentially causing a "thermal event or fire." The problem began with dashboard warnings about overheating, despite the coolant reservoir being full. Following…
    NHTSA complaint #11683511 · source
  4. Filed Aug 16, 2025CAElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    Coolant pump failure engine failure also caused fire in engine bay. Insurance inspector. Pre shop inspection. No light were on prior to explosion.
    NHTSA complaint #11681035 · source
  5. Filed Jul 23, 2025CAElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the contact became aware of an abnormal burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not…
    NHTSA complaint #11675593 · source
  6. Filed Jul 21, 2025CTElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while her son was driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. The contact was adding coolant to the coolant reservoir every other day. The contact stated that the vehicle was smoking and there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle and the engine was overheating. The vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11675103 · source
  7. Filed Jul 7, 2025CTElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
    NHTSA complaint #11671590 · source
  8. Filed Jun 25, 2025NJElectrical SystemEngine
    My vehicle is a 2016 BMW 528i xDrive. There is an active safety recall listed under NHTSA Campaign Number 24V-608, issued in August 2024. The affected component is the engine coolant pump. As of June 2025, no remedy has been made available by BMW, and I have been told by both BMW corporate and my local dealer that they cannot provide a fix or a timeline. This component is essential to keeping the engine within safe temperature limits. Failure of the coolant pump could lead…
    NHTSA complaint #11669076 · source
  9. Filed Jun 16, 2025FLElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
    NHTSA complaint #11667146 · source
  10. Filed Jun 11, 2025NJElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts…
    NHTSA complaint #11666277 · source
  11. Filed May 27, 2025TXElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
    NHTSA complaint #11663133 · source
  12. Filed May 22, 202568,000 miCATowedElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electrical connector on the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System);…
    NHTSA complaint #11662659 · source

Other 2016 BMW 528I problem areas

  • Engine (43)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (5)
  • Other / Unknown (5)
  • Airbags (4)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (3)
  • Suspension (3)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (2)
  • Lighting (2)
  • Wheels & Tires (1)
  • Body & Structure (1)
  • Steering (1)

Back to all 2016 BMW 528I problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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