CSR

BMW · NHTSA safety record

2012 BMW 528I

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

89

Complaints

0

Crashes

3

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2012 BMW 528I have filed 89 safety complaints with NHTSA between September 2012 and January 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 42 of them (47%). The typical failure was reported at 76,000 miles, the median across the 63 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints fell 33% year on year: 6 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 9 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

24V608000 · August 13, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 720,796 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

16V746000 · October 17, 2016

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
The risk
The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 136,188 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

14V627000 · October 7, 2014

The defect
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
The risk
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 8,988 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

13V454000 · September 26, 2013

The defect
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
The risk
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 76,191 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Loss of power assist braking

PE13030

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened September 6, 2013 · closed October 25, 2013 · led to recall 13V454000

the hydraulic brakes

In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the camshaft geometry that prevented the seal disk from blocking the oil port.BMW has not received any braking complaints related to loss of power assist after the design change was implemented in production.The owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer who will install a locking ring into the camshaft to keep the seal disk in its proper location.BMW expects to begin dealer and owner notification in November 2013 and complete dealer and owner notification in December when the remedy is expected to be available.Based on the actions taken by BMW, this investigation is closed.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 89.

ENGINE 42 47%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 26 29%
POWER TRAIN 20 22%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12 13%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5 6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 4 4%
AIR BAGS 3 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 3%
STEERING 3 3%
STRUCTURE 3 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 17.

2012 2019 2026
2012 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 injured · 68,500 miles

AT 2:30AM ON 4/29/17 SATURDAY MORNING, WE HEARD A LOUD BANG WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE...TURNS OUT THAT THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF NO WHERE...GLASS WAS ALL OVER US...VERY SCARY SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint 10981742. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

1 injured · 20,090 miles

THIS 2012 BMW 528, WHILE STANDING STILL ON A CITY STREET, WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND ON THE LEFT REAR CORNER AND THE ACTIVE HEADREST RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED STRIKING THE DRIVER IN THE HEAD AND CAUSING A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

NHTSA complaint 10836786. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

Car engine caught on fire while driving today and stopped. No smoke or other issues prior. Worried this is related to the recall issued by BMW recently, however my car is not covered under the recall yet. The car is currently located in Vancouver Canada. It was purchased in Tulsa, OK

NHTSA complaint 11473963. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

Vehicle leaked oil to where it caused an engine fire.

NHTSA complaint 11624165. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Vehicle has oil leak bad

NHTSA complaint 11711212. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The failure involved the breaking of the oil chain, which resulted in catastrophic engine damage. Consequently, the timing chain and splash shield were also compromised due to the initial failure. The incident appears to be caused by a malfunction or defect in the oil chain assembly. The affected components are available for inspection and further investigation. This information may be useful for evaluating the need for a recall or identifying underlying manufacturing or design issues.

NHTSA complaint 11684910. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On [XXX], the water pump's electrical plug connector became defective, ultimately putting myself and [XXX] son in a dangerous situation. While on the highway coming home from work/daycare, the car overheated rapidly, my car started slowing down in the middle of the highway. The car ultimately stopped and had to pull to the side. I tried to call 2 BMW dealerships in San Jose, but at that time the recall remedy was unavailable and said there was nothing they could do for me. So I had to tow to my home. Towed to my mechanic the next day, and they had to fix it. The car was repaired after being in the shop for 1 week. I took the car home and shortly after, the car overheated again. Luckily, I

NHTSA complaint 11678095, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
I had just purchased a car but a month ago I was driving to lunch and I was at a stop sign when the light turned green I started to go the car started shaking and smoke was coming out of the front under the hood I had just an oil change so I took it back to the oil change shop. They could not figure out why the engine blew and I had to take it to a different BMW shop where I have to purchase a rebuilt motor and pay for the repairs. I can request all records from the automotive shop if needed.

NHTSA complaint 11655338. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The turbocharger wastegate actuator issues causing a drivetrain malfunction. The actuator has been changed several times ,that regulates the westgate yet there’s a loss in power. Safety when merging onto freeway as you accelerate the warning light comes on and vehicle losses power other vehicles have to slow significantly to avoid possible running into vehicle entering freeway

NHTSA complaint 11653872. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 160,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle. After several attempts, the vehicle failed to start. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the

NHTSA complaint 11652391, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW 528I

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2016 59 4
2015 63 1
2014 56 3
2013 73 4
2011 117 4
2010 65 2

Other 2012 BMW models

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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