MYRModel Year Report

2012 BMW 528I

◆ Worse than typical
2012 BMW 528I
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:43:32.482Z

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
90
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

48% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1997: 41 complaints 1998: 33 complaints 1998 1999: 46 complaints 2000: 42 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 118 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2009 2010: 65 complaints 2011: 118 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 90 2013: 73 complaints 2014: 56 complaints 2015: 63 complaints 2015 2016: 59 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1997: 41 complaints 1997 1998: 33 complaints 1998 1999: 46 complaints 1999 2000: 42 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 118 complaints 2008 2009: 23 complaints 2009 2010: 65 complaints 2010 2011: 118 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2012 90 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 56 complaints 2014 2015: 63 complaints 2015 2016: 59 complaints 2016
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1997: 41 complaints 1997 1998: 33 complaints 1998 1999: 46 complaints 1999 2000: 42 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 118 complaints 2008 2009: 23 complaints 2009 2010: 65 complaints 2010 2011: 118 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2012 90 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 56 complaints 2014 2015: 63 complaints 2015 2016: 59 complaints 2016

2012: 90 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
199741
199833
199946
200042
20012
20071
2008118
200923
201065
2011118
201290
201373
201456
201563
201659

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

48% · 43 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle leaked oil to where it caused an engine fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-08

Also filed under Power train and electrical system

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, 2022-07-14

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

car engine timing chain guides are faulty and there have been lawsuits that were settled and no recall on the actual part with drivers still having issues with the N20 engine now getting quotes for over $15,000.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-21

Fuel/propulsion system

29% · 26 reports
FIRE

Power train

22% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing driveline.

FIRE

Electrical system

13% · 12 reports
FIRE

Engine and engine cooling

6% · 5 reports

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 90 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2013-09-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-10-25 Loss of power assist braking
  3. R
    2014-01-31Service brakes, hydraulic13V454000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2014-12-02Service brakes, hydraulic14V627000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2017-02-08Fuel system, gasoline16V746000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2025-03-28Electrical system, engine and engine cooling24V608000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 BMW 528I — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 43 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 20 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V454000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V627000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V746000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 24V608000 · Electrical system, engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

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 48% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 528I have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.