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2010 BMW 528I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 BMW 528I do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

43 reports with mileage · 22 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 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 an…

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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 ODI #11623122

71,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR JUMPS INTO NEUTRAL RANDOMLY. WHETHER FROM A SLOW START OR ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES AND THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11140430

98,629 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS. I'VE ALREADY REPLACE THE SPARKPLUGS, COILS, & FUEL FILTER, BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE SUDDEN STOPPING HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING OR WHEN I'M IDLE AT EITHER A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS UNTIL IT COMPLETELY TURNS OFF FROM I'M IDLE AND THERE IS NO WARNING FOR WHEN I'M ACTUALLY DRI…

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MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPS. I'VE ALREADY REPLACE THE SPARKPLUGS, COILS, & FUEL FILTER, BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE SUDDEN STOPPING HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING OR WHEN I'M IDLE AT EITHER A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERS UNTIL IT COMPLETELY TURNS OFF FROM I'M IDLE AND THERE IS NO WARNING FOR WHEN I'M ACTUALLY DRIVING, IT JUST STOPS.

NHTSA ODI #11053532

115,000 miles · May 18, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE HAVING MY OIL CHANGED, I TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT I SMELLED A LITTLE BIT OF GASOLINE WHEN DRIVING AND TO CHECK IT OUT. I WAS SHOWN THAT UNDER THE BACK SEAT, BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE THERE IS A SENDING UNIT AND A FUEL LINE THAT TRANSFERS GAS FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER. THIS PLASTIC COMPONENT HAS A TIP WHERE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTS…

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WHILE HAVING MY OIL CHANGED, I TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT I SMELLED A LITTLE BIT OF GASOLINE WHEN DRIVING AND TO CHECK IT OUT. I WAS SHOWN THAT UNDER THE BACK SEAT, BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE THERE IS A SENDING UNIT AND A FUEL LINE THAT TRANSFERS GAS FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER. THIS PLASTIC COMPONENT HAS A TIP WHERE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTS. THIS TIP CRACKED AND BROKE (NO IDEA WHY), LEAKING AND POOLING GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR, DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT AND FILLING THE CAR WITH HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE FUMES. SO MUCH SO THAT THE MECHANIC I TOOK THIS CAR TO, WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE IT OUT OF THERE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAD ME LEAVE THIS CAR FOR FIVE DAYS AT A BMW DEALERSHIP WHILE THEY WENT THROUGH THEIR PROCESS. THEN, THEY INFORMED ME THEY ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT OR A FLAWED DESIGN.MY CAR IS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD AND IS KEPT IN PERFECT CONDITION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. I FEAR I WILL READ ABOUT SOME PERSON OR FAMILY BEING BURNED ALIVE AND I FEEL I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IF YOU NEED THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10717066

62,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR IN SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS COMPLAINT TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE A SEVERE GAS FUME SMELL IN MY CAR, IN MY TRUNK AND AROUND MY CAR. HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND PARK AND RETURN TO THE CAR TYPICALLY. SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND TURN OFF THE CAR. IF I PARK IN MY GARAGE THE GARA…

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I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR IN SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS COMPLAINT TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE A SEVERE GAS FUME SMELL IN MY CAR, IN MY TRUNK AND AROUND MY CAR. HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND PARK AND RETURN TO THE CAR TYPICALLY. SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND TURN OFF THE CAR. IF I PARK IN MY GARAGE THE GARAGE SMELLS LIKE GAS/GAS FUMES FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT AFTER TESTING BY THE DEALER THAT THERE IS NO GAS LEAK. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. HAPPENS MAINLY IN THE WARMER MONTHS BUT, I LIVE IN AZ SO THAT ACCOUNTS FOR 9 MONTHS. I FEEL THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, THE FUMES ARE NOXIOUS AND REMAIN IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR FOR AWHILE. I ASK MY CHILDREN TO GET IN THE CAR WHEN IT SMELLS LIKE GAS FUMES UPON PICKING THEM UP FROM SCHOOL. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS IN AZ AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH GAS FUME SMELLS CONSUMING THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR NOR GARAGE. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE HAVE SURFACED IN RENO AND TUCSON. SUGGESTING THIS MAY BE A RESULT OF THE GAS BEING DIFFERENT IN THESE TWO CITIES. THAT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE AS I FREQUENTLY BUY GAS IN PHOENIX AND HAVE GAS FUME ISSUES. I CANNOT GET THE DEALER TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM TO THE EXTENT OF A SOLUTION. I KNOW THIS IS NOT NORMAL NOR ACCEPTABLE. I FELL UNSAFE WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I FELL UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR AND WORRY ABOUT BEING HIT BY SOMEONE WITH GAS FUME ISSUES IN THE TRUNK AND CAR AND I HAVE RELAYED SUCH TO THE DEALER REPEATEDLY. I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE DEALER AFTER THE LAST SERVICE CHECK FOR LEAKING GAS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS SAFE AND TO CARRY ON WITH MY 2 HOUR COMMUTE ON A BUSY FREEWAY AND THEY WOULD CHECK WITH OTHER DEALERS WHERE THE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HAD RISEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639153

99,000 miles · Dec 23, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

I NOTICED A SMELL OF FUEL EACH TIME MY WIFE PARKED HER CAR INSIDE OUR GARAGE. HER CAR FOR DUE A SERVICE SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A FULL SERVICE. THE MECHANIC CALLED AND ASKED IF WE HAD BEEN SMELLING FUEL INSIDE OR AROUND THE VEHICLE. HE THEN EXPLAINED THAT HE SUSPECTED IT WAS ORIGINATING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. HE…

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I NOTICED A SMELL OF FUEL EACH TIME MY WIFE PARKED HER CAR INSIDE OUR GARAGE. HER CAR FOR DUE A SERVICE SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A FULL SERVICE. THE MECHANIC CALLED AND ASKED IF WE HAD BEEN SMELLING FUEL INSIDE OR AROUND THE VEHICLE. HE THEN EXPLAINED THAT HE SUSPECTED IT WAS ORIGINATING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. HE LATER CONTACTED ME TO EXPLAIN THAT THE PLASTIC TUBE LOCATED ON TOP OF THE IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND WAS ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY OUT ON TOP OF THE ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS ALLOWING FUEL AND FUMES TO BUILD-UP IN-AND-AROUND THE VEHICLE. HE RECOMMENDED WE REPLACE IT IMMEDIATELY DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. WHEN I WENT TO PICKUP THE VEHICLE, HE SHOWED ME THE CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, AND EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ONE CRACK LIKE THAT. TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND FINDING THE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AT THE TIME THAT WE DID, I BELIEVE, WAS A DISASTER AVOIDED. WE ARE PLANNING A TRIP OUT OF TOWN, AND WILL LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 DAYS. OUR HOME GAS (OPEN FLAMED) HOT WATER HEATER IS LOCATED INSIDE OUR GARAGE. MY WIFE OFTEN BACKED HER CAR INTO OUR GARAGE WHICH PLACED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 FEET FROM THE OPEN FLAMES OF THE HOT WATER HEATER. I SHUTTER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF WE HAD LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE LEAKING FUEL AND FUMES, AND OPEN FLAMES FROM THE HOT WATER HEATER SHUTUP IN OUR GARAGE FOR 5 DAYS. NOT ONLY WOULD WE HAVE LOST OUR CAR, BUT QUITE POSSIBLY OUR HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557062

Official recalls

2

17V683000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Oct 30, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

13V407000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Sep 11, 2013

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).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.