repaired · 2026 Q3
Wiring: connectors/plugs/receptacles
Risk. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
2016 BMW 528iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 59 owner complaints about the 2016 BMW 528i, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-608 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 29, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 BMW 528i has problems
59 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
33Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
26Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
17Engine2 crash/fire/injury
5Fuel/propulsion system
5Air bags
3Power train
3Suspension
2Exterior lighting
2Vehicle speed control
44 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 33 | 3 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 26 | 1 |
| Engine | 17 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 1 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 |
| 4 other systems | 4 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2016 BMW 528i recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Air bags
Risk. If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Front: retractor
Risk. 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,…
repaired · 2017 Q1
Child seat
Risk. 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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other 528i year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 528i median. How we score
'97'98'99'00'01'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 BMW 528i, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What 528i owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
On January 29, 2020, while driving my 2016 BMW 5 Series under normal operating conditions, the engine compartment caught fire without warning. Smoke and flames originated from the engine bay while the vehicle was in motion. I was forced to pull over and exit the vehicle immediately. The fire spread…
My coolant line overheated. From the leaking water pump and pcv that exploded all over my engine causing it to overheat and now how has not turned back on. Ive been without a car for months and when I seen the recall and reached out to the dealer expressing my situation they said they would get…
A critical component failure has rendered my 2016 BMW 528xi inoperable and unsafe. The water pump failed, forcing the car into a safety "limp mode," limiting its speed to approximately 40 miles per hour. This issue mirrors NHTSA Recall 24V-608 regarding an electrical connector on the water pump…
Own a 2016 528i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.