2016 Bmw 528I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
59 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 59 complaints (55.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 27 | 45.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 33 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 26 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
Electrical System: 33; Engine And Engine Cooling: 26; Engine: 17; Air Bags: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Power Train: 3; Suspension: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 39 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2018: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2023: 4; 2024: 14; 2025: 31; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11083916 · 2018-04-09 (April 9, 2018)
TAKATA RECALL,, 12-20-2017 I WAS IN A COLLISION. MY VEHICLE REAR ENDED A VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO STOP. I WAS ALONE IN MY VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL AND KNEE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BMW UPON MY REQUEST AND COMPLAINTS HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED MY ONE OF THEIR ENGINEERS. WHO I WAS TOLD SAID THAT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY WOULD THE PASSENGERS IF I WAS ALONE …
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11083916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11339545 · 2020-07-15 (July 15, 2020)
MY PEOPLE IS MAKING A TAPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THE LAST TIME WAS ON 6 9 2011 I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR BACK WHEN THE NOISE IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING SO THE LEAD MECHANIC ASKED YOU ROLL WITH ME AND HEARD THE NOISE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AFTER TWO DAYS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM DIRECTLY CONTRADICTING WHAT THE LEAD MECHANIC HAD TOLD ME I'M NOT SURE I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON I'M ACTUALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE …
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11339545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11355391 · 2020-09-16 (September 16, 2020)
THE CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CV JOINTS, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN 10/19 - IF I TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT WON'T TURN. THE BMW CERTIFIED DEALER STATES IT IS BOTH CV JOINTS AND BMW HAS BEEN RECALLING THEIR VEHICLES SINCE 2013 FOR CV JOINTS
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11355391 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361227 · 2020-09-26 (September 26, 2020)
BMW 528I 2016 CAR THAT IS LITTLE OVER 4 YEARS LESS JUST HIT 35K MILEAGE LOST ALL ITS FUEL INJECTORS, COILS AND PLUGS. BELOW IS THE SUMMARY OF DIAGNOSIS. 35146 FUEL INJECTORS FAULTY. CONFIRMED SES LIGHT IS ON. DME STORED SOURCED FROM THE VEHICLE MISFIRE FAULTS ON MULTIPLE CYLINDERS. DME ALSO STORED FAULT 118002 "MIXTURE TOO RICH," WORKED THROUGH TEST PLAN. PERFORMED ENGINE TEST AND MANUFACTURER AND BACKED BY DETERMINED CYLINDERS 1, 2, AND 4 INJECTORS FAULTY. DIAGCODE: ITS LIMITED WARRANTY. D1350 00000000 01 002. REMOVED ALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361227 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11407469 · 2021-04-11 (April 11, 2021)
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF FOR 2.5 HOURS. IT HAPPENED WHILE PARKED, IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT AND NO ONE WAS INSIDE THE CAR AT THE TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11407469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11525214 · 2023-06-03 (June 3, 2023)
*drivers' restraint system t * There is a big possibility that airbags won't deploy when I need them to. *Confirmed by dealership *Yes vehicle has been inspected by BMW dealership. * There was no warning no other symptoms
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544725 · 2023-09-15 (September 15, 2023)
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle, he heard an unusual rattling sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a stretched timing chain guide. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11544725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11554223 · 2023-11-08 (November 8, 2023)
Bmw had recalled the n20 engine for timing chain guides replacement up to year 2015. The original timing chain guides were orange in color but also found to an inferior part from manufacturer. Bmw had replaced the original guides to a white color as supposed to a better product. Now then my 2016 model 528xi not only has the original orange color chain guides or let's say inferior part from manufacturer because my manufacturer date my car is 08/2015..
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11554223 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V718000 · Child Seat | Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly
Reported: 2015-10-30 (October 30, 2015)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Consequence: If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V747000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Reported: 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, MINI Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, Mini Hardtop 4 Door Cooper S, MINI Cooper Clubman, and Cooper S Clubman, 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost, and 2016 528i vehicles. The vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) for the driver's seat may not lock as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence: In the event of a crash where heavy braking is applied, the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) may activate when the occupant is more forward in the seat, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V914000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2016-12-20 (December 20, 2016)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Consequence: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V608000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Pump
Reported: 2024-08-13 (August 13, 2024)
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.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗