Most common 2010 BMW 528i problems
Share of the 65 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 528i complaints by model year
Best 528i years: 2009, 2015, 2014. Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2008, 2013. Compare all years →
2010 BMW 528i recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.
Exterior lighting › Tail lights
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
What 2010 BMW 528i owners say
Engine & cooling all 33 →
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528i. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, she smelled a burning odor and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and through the vent. The (!) malfunction indicator warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would jerk intermittently while driving. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine And Engine Cooling), which she associated with the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owned a 2010 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle started to shake and vibrate, additionally smoke began to issue from under the hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull of the highway and shut off the vehicle, the smoke emission increased and the vehicle caught fire. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire using water. The police were also on scene. The contact is not aware if any reports were written by police or fire department. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot due to being consumed completely by the fire. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
Electrical system
There seems to be a common problem with these vehicles according to similar complaints being discussed in forums. My steering wheel is malfunctioning and creating a safety concern. While driving straight my horn and electrical controls do not function. If I turn the steering wheel to one side then the horn and electrical components work. I am also afraid that the airbag may not function properly because of this.
The "Secure from Rolling" alert pops up on screen and car is prevented from moving. Engine must be shut off and ignition turned back on to work. Gears/spring probably need replaced per error message.
Transmission & drivetrain
The "Secure from Rolling" alert pops up on screen and car is prevented from moving. Engine must be shut off and ignition turned back on to work. Gears/spring probably need replaced per error message.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 BMW 528i. While driving various speeds, the temperature gauge displayed that the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that an unknown hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After the hoses were replaced, the vehicle began to stall intermittently. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, but the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 105,298.
2010 BMW 528i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 BMW 528i a good car?
Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 528i rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the 528i at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 BMW 528i?
The engine & cooling — 33 complaints, 51% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › emission control › crankcase (pcv). Next are the electrical system (11) and transmission & drivetrain (9).
How many recalls does the 2010 BMW 528i have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2010 BMW 528i, the most recent from October 30, 2017 (crankcase (pcv)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 528i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2015 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2012, 2008 and 2013. See the full BMW 528i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 BMW 528i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 7% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.