Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 BMW 528i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at 30 -35 MPH with the windows down, there was a smoke odor present. The contact pulled over into a parking lot and smoke was discovered coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle suddenly engulfed in flames as the contact was still seated in the vehicle. The contact was able to safely exit the vehicle. The fire department arrived on the scene and was able to extinguish the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. It was unknown if a fire report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle was destroyed and the cause was unknown since the fire destroyed the front end of the vehicle including the dashboard and both front driver and passenger side door panels were melted. The dealer was not contacted. …
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and allowed the engine to cool down. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure recurred several times while driving; requiring the contact to pull over to the side of the road several times for several minutes. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that he was mechanically inclined and had replaced the thermostat and the coolant temperature sensor. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the water pump's electrical connector had melted, and the water pump was damaged. …
The contact's wife owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption. The low coolant warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while his wife was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the driver noticed that there was steamy smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The driver pulled to the side of the road and noticed that fluid was leaking underneath the engine. The vehicle was taken to Sunshine Auto, where the contact's wife was informed that coolant was leaking. The mechanic informed the contact that the turbo needed to be taken out for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle while at a stop. The contact detected fumes underneath the hood and there was oil on the alternator. The contact stated that the tires were replaced, but the vehicle was not aligned. The contact stated that the driveshaft had dropped and was making an abnormal rubbing sound. The oil light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electricals System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. …
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving 50-60 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and out of the exhaust pipes. The coolant temperature warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle sputtered and stalled. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump had failed, causing several damages to the vehicle, including engine failure. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the cost. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact received a message displaying a hazard symbol for the driver restraint system. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the fault for the driver's side air bag Intel Stage 2. The dealer confirmed that there was an internal disconnect with the air bag that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the repair was not included in the recall or covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 17,700. …
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 vehicle was declared a total loss. At the time, both my insurance carrier and BMW representatives inspected the vehicle, but no definitive cause was identified. In January 2026, I received notification that this same vehicle is subject to BMW Safety Recall Campaign No. 24V-608, which states that liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation system can drip onto the water pump electrical connector, potentially causing a short circuit and, in rare cases, an engine fire. …
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electrical connector on the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while his partner was driving at undisclosed speeds, there was smoke coming from the engine and entering the cabin through the vents while the heater was activated. There was an abnormal burning odor entering the cabin. The contact also observed the burning odor while driving the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke was coming from the engine compartment into the cabin of the vehicle through the air vents. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical complaints in other 528i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2016 BMW 528i?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 BMW 528i, 56% of the model year's 59 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 BMW 528i electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-608 (connectors/plugs/receptacles, Aug 13, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 BMW 528i electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to electrical 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.