2016 BMW 528I engine problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

43 owners have reported engine problems with the 2016 BMW 528I, 74% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 88,000 mi.

Engine complaints
43
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
1
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
88,000 mi

Specific components reported

Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.

ComponentComplaints
Engine and engine cooling26
Engine17

Engine complaints across BMW 528I years

14200882009242010432011232012242013302014452015432016
Engine complaints by model year. The 2016 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k230k–60k760k–100k3100k–150k2150k+
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 Feb 23, 202632,400 miFLEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall, and after the recall repair, while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal oil-burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local Midas, where it was discovered that oil was leaking onto the engine. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.…
    NHTSA complaint #11719874 · source
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Filed Aug 21, 2025FLEngine
    Multiple critical BMW engine components are manufactured from plastic, including the oil pan, coolant expansion tank, valve cover, and turbo inlet pipe. These parts are prone to premature failure from normal heat & stress, as confirmed by independent mechanics. Failures can cause sudden loss of oil or coolant, persistent oil leaks, overheating, loss of power, and roadside breakdowns. The use of plastic for an oil pan is concerning. Plastic cannot withstand impacts with…
    NHTSA complaint #11682147 · source
  5. 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
  6. Filed Jul 26, 2025NJEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    Very often, when I change the gear to 'Drive' or 'Reverse' I get a message on the dashboard screen - "secure Vehicle against rolling" and the car DOES NOT move unless I shift the auto gear lever several times or sometimes shut off the engine to get back to normal driving. Once when I was in such a situation, no matter what I do, the error message would not go away and I had to call the tow truck to get home. And when tow truck person brought the car home, the problem fixed…
    NHTSA complaint #11676315 · source
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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

Other 2016 BMW 528I problem areas

  • Electrical System (33)
  • 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