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. …
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and made unusual sounds. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift as intended and was seized in park(P). The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,582.
I am filing a complaint regarding the recall work performed on my 2011 BMW 528i for the VANOS bolt safety recall. The recall notice stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive until repaired. I arranged towing to Jackie Cooper BMW in Edmond, Oklahoma because of this safety warning. The dealership performed the recall repair and released the vehicle back to me. Immediately after picking it up, the vehicle experienced a failure and became inoperable. The vehicle had to be towed again. This time, the dealership covered the towing cost and had the vehicle returned to my residence. Staff present at the time included a technician named Luke and the Service Drive Manager, Tayler Hawkins. Staff statements indicated that diagnostic charges would have applied if issues outside the recall were found, but no diagnostics were ultimately billed. …
I have a 2011 SIX-cylinder BMW 528i. I was driving down the road and had a yellow engine light come on and my car lost all power and I coasted into a parking area and then had my vehicle towed to the BMW Service Center. They determined the problem was that the VANOS UNIT BOLTS had broken off and they repaired the vehicle charging me $6678.11. I found out about a recall for 2010-2012 5 series BMW's and my service advisor told me that I didn't qualify for is because the recall had expired in 2021. I called BMW North America and they referred me to NHITSA. I have a video sent to me from the service technician showing me where the bolts had sheared off. I feel that this should have been repaired by BMW at no charge to me.
It feels like someone is hitting me from behind when it downshifts from I believe 2nd into 1st gear. Its a hard down shift. I was told by a mechanic at Bavarian Auto in Bakersfield Ca. His name is Sal and he is the owner. I told him when I took my car in that I wanted the transmission fluid changed. He told me it's a lifetime transmission and it never had to be changed. Now I'm pretty sure I'm having a problem with my transmission because of it needing the oil changed.
My vehicle loss power while driving babies to daycare. The care started shaking and would not gain power in cold weather. The vehicle took about 20 minutes to warm then the indicator light went of and no problems. The indicator light was a yellow engine light followed by drivetrain malfunction. The car jerks now. I have done research on this issue and I see several people with the same issue to who. Has this model car. Also the parts are on back order in Germany meaning there are aware of issue. This needs a major recall because in some of the cases the car cut off while driving on the road in traffic. I parked my car until some one could say what the actual case is and fix. I see most people have taking there vehicles in more than 3 times with no resolution. I also research drivetrain in BMW and another model was recalled and fixed. So I'm thinking all models need to be recalled.
Takata recall my 528i BMW in stop and go traffic has a very hard jerk when slowing down feeling as if im beeeing hit from behind I noticed it when I first got my car it would do it intermidetly. This is very dangerous it also has a throttle response delay which is also dangerous when going into traffic. A recall is needed for this fix it seems to be a software issue to me because when turning off the car and restarting it hours later the problem stops but comes back weeks later. I have seen many complaints dating back to 2011 of this problem where is the recall?
This was the 1st out of 3 times my vehicle stalled while driving. I was very nervous,scared and upset being that I had told BMW that the coolant was constantly showing me low coolant light along with possible engine damage. But they would always try to erasure me the problem was fixed.I felt that all the gentleman at carmax chuckled quietly to themselves as I stood before them tirelessly requesting that the service manager look at the car to prove that I'm not a joke and just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I don't know how cars work.
Was at my fianc grandads funeral Saturday 02/06/2021 and the car started acting strange immediately I heard strange noice coming from the front of the engine got a diagnosis and mechanic told me vvt issues got if fixed at a certified BMW tech and on his bulletin I seen the recall and he told me about this recall and that he gets many cars every week for this job he told me I would be reimbursed from BMW of north America I have all the recites for the labor and parts and I really need your help in getting this resolved
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 528i. While driving at low speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed and failed to respond. When applying the brakes and reducing speed, the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but a failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Transmission complaints in other 528i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 BMW 528i?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 BMW 528i, 21% of the model year's 118 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 BMW 528i transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 BMW 528i, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 528i transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 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.