Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 BMW 528i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over, and after several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, and the message "Drivetrain Malfunction" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure started recently and had occurred several times. Additionally, the vehicle was vibrating intermittently and lost motive power. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle failed to accelerate above 15 MPH. The contact smelled the odor of gasoline inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
I just had fuel supply problem with my 2011 BMW 528i. My wife drove the vehicle to work and left it parked in the morning. When she wanted to go for lunch, the car would not start although the engine cranked and the battery was fine. The onboard system displayed the fuel supply warnings message. Trying to start the car for a couple of hours without any luck, we had to call in aaa to tow the car to the dealer shop for repair. After a couple of hours struggling to set the transmission to netural, we managed to get the car to the dealer shop. Right after we unloaded the car from the tow truch, it started to work normally. We left the car at the BMW service for diagnositic. But after two days of checking, they could not find anything. Everything seemed normal. They recommended me to replace the battery although they do not believe the battery was the cause. …
The throttle body of the 2011 model of the BMW 528i has been faulty since day 1. The car jerks at low RPM making it dangerous during driving situations. The slow response time of the throttle can cause accidents. There is about thousands of complaints that BMW received over the years and they still are not issuing a recall on it.
I am experiencing an intermittent problem with the fuel supply system. After getting nowhere with the local dealership, I escalated the matter to BMW of north America, but they declined to assist. I feel they are not taking the matter seriously and my safety is at risk. I have had to take the car in for service repeatedly related to this problem: I drive the vehicle to work and leave it parked. When I come back to leave for lunch, the car won't start although the engine cranks and the battery is fine. The onboard system displays the same fuel supply warnings. After hours of repeated attempts (or up to a day later in one instance), the car does eventually start. (all of this can be confirmed independently. …
I was notified of recall number 16V746 by BMW in December of 2016. On 12/20/16 I attempted to get an appointment at my local BMW dealer to repair the fuel pump, but was told that parts were not available. I also talked with BMW na, but got the same answer. I called dealer again in February & March of 2017, but was told that parts would not be available until April 2017. Called dealer (BMW of asheville) on April 18th, still no parts. Called dealer on July 6 to report fuel vapors noticed when parking the car. Told they would "pursue the repair parts". On July 7th, I received an email from david reiff, service mngr at BMW of a who stated in the email: "mr. Therien, I will see what I can do to escalate this case. …
The vehicle has a significant delay in acceleration that occurs primarily after (I) the vehicle has slowed down to a speed between 18 MPH and 24 MPH; (ii) a full stop (although it is intermittent following a full stop) and (III) sudden surges of acceleration. The acceleration delay is most noticeable when moderate acceleration is desired. The pedal can be depressed nearly fully with no noticeable acceleration for a short period. After the delay the car will accelerate, often in a surge. From a full stop acceleration is often a jerky affair. The acceleration issues significantly compromise safety due to the unexpected vehicle performance, both with the acceleration delay and the sudden surge of acceleration that occurs after about a second to a second and a half after the accelerator has been depressed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. BMW of houston north (17730 north fwy, houston, tx 77090 [phone]) stated that the manufacturer had not sent parts to the dealer for the recall repair remedy. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to call the service manager at the dealer to order the recall parts. The contact felt that he should not have to make calls to the dealer or service manager to order the recall parts. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
In-tank fuel pump safety recall - no. 16v-746, last updated 10/13/2016. I attempted to get this recall accomplished after receiving a letter from BMW in mar 2017 that the parts were available and to contact my local detailer for the repairs. I scheduled the repairs at BMW annapolis on 21 April 2017 but was informed the parts were in fact not available after an all day wait. I again contacted BMW annapolis today 9 nov 2017 and was again informed the parts were unavailable which remains contrary to the letter I received from BMW back in March 2017. I believe waiting 2 years for parts is excessive. Thank you and have a great day.
This vehicle has a hesitation of throttle acceleration from idle and shifting between gears.presents a real safety issue from idle position to acceleration. A 1-2 second delay consistently happens. The BMW dealer reported to me that they are aware of this situation but do not have a solution yet. If enough reports of this incident were handed in then it May necessitate a cure from BMW. Apparently not enough squeaky wheels per say for BMW to act.hopefully this along with hundreds of these complaints already on your web site about this very same issue is enough to get BMW to act on this safety issue.
As my car was stopped at a red light, I felt a quick jerk forward and thought I was rear-ended. I looked back and there wasn't a car. As I pulled into my parking space, I was switching from reverse to drive, the car jerked again, like I was being rear ended. It felt like the car was skipping a gear (I drive an automatic). Then as I was leaving the parking lot, I pushed the gas down and for almost 2 seconds the car did nothing, then jerked hard forward and started to drive.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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 Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo,…
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.
Fuel System complaints in other 528i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 BMW 528i?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 BMW 528i, 19% of the model year's 118 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 BMW 528i fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-746 (fuel pump, Oct 17, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 528i fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.