Model year record

2010 BMW 528i recalls & problems

The 2010 BMW 528i has 2 safety recalls and 65 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (17 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints65filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingOct 30, 2017

Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)

Recall 17V683000740,561 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 lightingSep 11, 2013

Tail lights

Recall 13V407000134,100 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

528i

22mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

528i

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

528i xDrive

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

528i xDrive

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)	17	0	3	0	141,000 mi
Engine	16	0	1	0	120,000 mi
Electrical system	11	0	0	0	77,000 mi
Power train	9	0	0	0	88,149 mi
Air bagsSensor › Occupant classification	9	1	0	1	68,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	0	0	0	98,629 mi
Exterior lightingBrake lights	4	0	0	0	77,840 mi
Seat belts	3	0	0	0	100,650 mi
Unknown or other	3	0	1	0	—
Seats	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes	2	0	0	0	—
Structure	1	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling
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 shifted to neutral(N), the steering wheel became firm, and the transmission failed to shift out of neutral. In addition, the contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle hesitated while…
Nov 25, 2025 · 145,000 miles
Electrical system
insulation on wiring is deteriorated leading to possible fire and or shorting out of electrical system
Jul 18, 2024
Engine and engine cooling
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 mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft and timing belt chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (ENGINE…
Apr 12, 2025 · 124,000 miles
Engine
They lied to me made me buy a bad car and then didn't even give me a license plate of anything they stole my money
Mar 4, 2025
Engine
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.
Nov 21, 2024
Fuel/propulsion system
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
Oct 1, 2024
Engine and engine cooling
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 undisclosed speed, the vehicle stall and jerked while coming to a stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Jun 24, 2024 · 178,000 miles
Unknown or other
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.
Jun 6, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.