MYRModel Year Report

2012 BMW 528I

◆ Worse than typical
2012 BMW 528I
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:21:35.920Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 528I Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 1980: 2 complaints 1980 1997: 41 complaints 1998: 33 complaints 1998 1999: 46 complaints 2000: 42 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2007: 1 complaints 2007 2008: 118 complaints 2009: 22 complaints 2009 2010: 65 complaints 2011: 117 complaints 2011 2012: 89 complaints 2012 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 56 complaints 2015: 62 complaints 2015 2016: 57 complaints 2016
2012: 89 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
199741
199833
199946
200042
20012
20071
2008118
200922
201065
2011117
201289
201373
201456
201562
201657

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 47%

47% of complaints: engine — 42 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle leaked oil to where it caused an engine fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241108

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220714

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND CAR STOPPED. DEALER SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE ON A 3 YR OLD CAR. ENGINE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.A FEW YEARS LATER THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171114

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 29%

29% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 26 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220714

POWER TRAIN 21%

21% of complaints: power train — 19 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle leaked oil to where it caused an engine fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241108

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle leaked oil to where it caused an engine fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241108

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 89
I 20130906 — PE (closed 20131025)

Loss of power assist braking

R 20140131 — service brakes, hydraulic

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...

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.

Campaign 13V454000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20141202 — service brakes, hydraulic

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...

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.

Campaign 14V627000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170208 — fuel system, gasoline

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...

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.

Campaign 16V746000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20250328 — electrical system, engine and engine cooling

BMW of North America, LLC.

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.

Campaign 24V608000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 BMW 528I — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (42 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V454000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V627000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V608000 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 1997 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

■ 2008 ■ 2011 ● 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 BMW 528I reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 BMW 528I is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 528I?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 528I have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.