2016 BMW 528I recalls and problems

4 recalls and 59 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 BMW 528I.

4
recalls
59
owner complaints
1
complaints mentioning a crash
4
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 BMW 528I recalls

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, pump · Electrical system: wiring, connectors/plugs/receptacles

NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · reported August 13, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC · 720,796 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

Air bags

NHTSA campaign 16V914000 · reported December 20, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC · 3,506 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
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.

Seat belts: front, retractor

NHTSA campaign 16V747000 · reported October 17, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC · 15,455 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The 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, possibly increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
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.

Child seat · Seats: mid/rear assembly

NHTSA campaign 15V718000 · reported October 30, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC · 7,162 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The 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.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 29, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system

Vehicle: 2016 BMW 528i xDrive (VIN: […]) Safety Issue / Defect Description: Strong, hazardous raw gasoline fumes began entering the passenger cabin and trunk area. On …, the vehicle was brought to an authorized dealership (BMW of Sterling) for diagnostic evaluation. The dealership's technician conducted a multi-point…

Jul 20, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system

The vehicle developed a strong, toxic odor of raw gasoline inside the passenger cabin and trunk area. The vehicle was brought to an authorized franchise, BMW of Sterling, where technicians performed a multi-point inspection. The technician confirmed that the factory plastic fuel tank assembly is structurally defective…

Feb 23, 2026 · Engine · 32,400 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall, and after the recall repair, while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal oil-burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local Midas, where it was discovered that…

Feb 9, 2026 · Exterior lighting

I have 2016 BMW 5 series car, for past two to three years headlights are getting condensation inside on colder months. Dealer is not able to fix the condensation, they are advising to replace the headlights. Some of my friends replaced OEM headlights, but after few years they are started condensation, it’s looked like…

Jan 27, 2026 · Engine · fire reported

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 rapidly, and the…

528I model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2013 47311
2014 35705
2015 16515
2016 45914

Across all years, the 2008 528I has the most complaints (118). All BMW 528I years →

Questions

Does the 2016 BMW 528I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 BMW 528I, the most recent reported on August 13, 2024 (Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, pump, Electrical system: wiring, connectors/plugs/receptacles). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW 528I?
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (33 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (26).
How many 2016 BMW 528I complaints mention a crash or fire?
1 of 59 complaints report a crash and 4 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 29, 2026.