2011 BMW 528I Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 BMW 528I, 3% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Headlight wiring is shorting out due to the plastic coating on the wiring degrading. This issue is currently only affecting the daytime running lights but has caused a short in the headlight system which, without repair, will eventually affect the headlights. This is a serious safety concern because a short in one headlight can lead to a failure of the entire system leaving me without headlights. This issue is apparently caused by wiring which degrades in higher heat which should never have been installed in a headlight assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #11190830, filed 2019-03, 106,000 miles“This malfunction light has been coming on since I bought this vehicle. It is extremely frustrating because every time I have that this car serviced they have never truly fixed the problem. It may stop for a moment and then any random day it will give me this warning as you se in the picture provided. A bigger problem that is unexceptable is that the car keeps flashing a warning about the coolent is needed and that it needs to be fixed or there could be engine damage. This warning has been the main concer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10882502, filed 2016-07“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528i. The contact stated that the driver’s side headlight housing had an excessive amount of moisture inside. The vehicle failed to start. The daytime and parking light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11421045, filed 2021-06, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10162435Jul 12, 2019Lane Change Warning Lamps on Side View Mirrors Are Too Dark. The lane change warning lamps (small and triangle-shaped) on the exterior door mirrors are too dark. This may occur…
- 10146962Nov 1, 2016"HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE VISIBLE INTERNAL MOISTURE/CONDENSATION. Water on the inside (A) or misting (B) of both headlight lenses that is visible from outside. Water inside the…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 | 3% |
| 2015 | 2 | 3% |
| 2014 | 4 | 7% |
| 2013 | 4 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 4 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 33 | 28% |
| 2000 | 2 | 5% |
| 1999 | 3 | 7% |
| 1998 | 2 | 6% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2011 BMW 528I
34 complaintsEngine cooling
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 528I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology