Skip to content
BMW 528IModel year report

2009 BMW 528I Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
93,827miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 BMW 528I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW 528I. The part named most often is engine, with 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and engine cooling (5). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 93,827 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 55 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 26 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “I was driving the vehicle on the highway about 70 miles per hour - when without any warning the vehicle check engine light and hazard lights came on - the fuel gauge showed over 100 more galloons in the tank than it had previously - tried to accelerate but the car did not respond. The engine reduced power and was stalling as I immediately started to cross the highway from the furthest left lane in order to get to safety on the right side of the road - I was with my parents and my handicapped nephew and scared for all of our lives. The engine sputtered and vibrated before stopping. …”

NHTSA complaint #11001191, filed 2017-06, 122,300 miles

Electrical system: “Hello, my car filled up with smoke one day. It smelt like plastic was burning I was pulling up to my drive way and was super dizzy the whole inside was filled with smoke. I couldn't breath properly. I have called Bmw dealerships and no one seems to have the part for my car, I don't know what to do. I'm scared to drive but I need to get to school! Please help me resolve this issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11097162, filed 2018-05

Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2009 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would overheat. An unknown warning light was illuminated and a warning message that the vehicle was overheating and to slow down and stop the vehicle to prevent further damage was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. …”

NHTSA complaint #11467944, filed 2022-06, 172,000 miles

Fuel system: “This car does have systems issues involving fuel pressure under hwy speeds and during hard acceleration. There is a orange warning light that comes on intermittently why the car is trying to pull vacuume and get up to proper speeds. There have been several recalls but not all models are involved. I would suggest replacing the o rings and or injectors as preventable measure and for better fuel economy. If the dealer can't help you then reach out to the area rep in your sales city.”

NHTSA complaint #10966413, filed 2017-03, 156,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 59,000 and 156,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5027%50–7527%75–10018%100–15027%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 93,827 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

201420172019202272026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 BMW 528I. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
5 Series · sedan AWDnot rated3 / 5——4 · 10.5% risk
5 Series · sedan RWDnot rated3 / 5——4 · 10.5% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2009 model year: forward collision warning not available, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 BMW 528I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
528i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual182821$3,900
528i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182721$3,900
528i xDrive 4WD/AWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual172520$4,100
528i xDrive 4WD/AWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172520$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 BMW 528I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 55 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 55 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 528I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20165977,000452751 · TypicalRising
20156580,000152647 · TypicalRising
20145777,500352658 · TypicalRising
20137389,560452739 · TypicalStable
20129073,000452796 · MoreFalling
201111874,5004525100 · MoreRising
201065100,0002—2249 · TypicalStable
20092393,8272—21—Falling
200811890,0002—2122 · FewerFalling
200042100,3781—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19994684,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19983389,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199741108,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All BMW 528I model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 BMW 528I have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW 528I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 BMW 528I is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 2009 BMW 528I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 BMW 528I get?

The EPA rates the 2009 BMW 528I (528i, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 BMW 528I reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 93,827 miles and the middle half falls between 59,000 and 156,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.