2012 BMW 528I Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 43about this part
- Share
- 48%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 43 complaints about the engine of the 2012 BMW 528I, 48% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle lost power, while in motion, in the middle of the road after accelerating. The car gave an error code of drivetrain malfunction. My car lost power in the middle of a busy city street, and it could have easily LED to a terrible accident. Possibly related to NHTSA campaign number: 16v746000 but my car was not included in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11366619, filed 2020-10, 120,000 miles“I was driving on the freeway and my car suddenly stopped running and shut down on me mid freeway! I stepped on gas pedal and nothing! It turned off on me and wouldn't turn on! Now it turns but gas won't work! I believe there is a problem with the gas pump of something regarding gas fuel! I had to call my car insurance to tow my car when I became stranded on the freeway.”
NHTSA complaint #11326433, filed 2020-05, 122,600 miles“Was driving down the street and car stopped. Dealer said I needed a new engine on a 3 yr old car. Engine covered under warranty.a few years later the drive shaft failed as I was driving. Believe it was related to removing engine and not securing all parts. How could this happen to a 5 yr old car? Dealer nor Bmw USA would not cover the 2800 costs.”
NHTSA complaint #11046035, filed 2017-11, 100,000 miles“I was going about 40 MPH when I heard like a popping noise coming from the front of the car, as soon as I heard the noise my car lost all its power, about 2 minutes after I noticed my car was leaving a cloud of white smoke from the exhaust.”
NHTSA complaint #11343967, filed 2020-08, 1 miles“I was driving down the highway and my 'low oil pressure' light came on so I pulled over to the side of the road immediately and shut the car off. I had the car towed to a certified Bmw repair shop global imports. The Bmw service center confirmed the failure was the drive chain causing the engine to seize and needing to be replaced. As I researched the issue I found thousands of similar internet stories elaborating on the design flaws in the engine that uses plastic flywheels for the drive chain/oil pump chain. …”
NHTSA complaint #11171805, filed 2019-01, 76,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10211851Mar 1, 2022This bulletin outlines the procedure for checking the engine timing chains for wear, and should be completed in conjunction with SI B11 06 14, "N63 Customer Care Package." The…
- 10172479Feb 1, 2020LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSIONTO 10 YEARS/120000 MILES: This Service Information Bulletin replaces SI B01 05 18 dated July 2019. Engine starts poorly (hard starting) rough idle and…
- 10163027Jun 1, 2019ENGINE VIBRATIONS OR NOISE This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 01 19 dated February 2019.
- 10163026Jun 1, 2019N63 ENGINE: OIL CONSUMPTION CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR PROCEDURES. While engine oil consumption may create a customer inconvenience in the short term it should…
- 10149564Oct 1, 2018N63 AND N63T ENGINE: ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, ENGINE OIL TOP-UPS AND REFILL CAPACITY. Customers with one of the vehicles above may complain that the engine's oil consumption is…
- 10149961Sep 1, 2018?ENGINE LEAK DIAGNOSIS ON TURBOCHARGED V8 ENGINES. When diagnosing an engine oil leak or a coolant leak on turbocharged V8 engines it is necessary to use a borescope to identify…
- 10149960Sep 1, 2018N63 and S63 Engine: Valve Seal Replacement. Refer to the following applicable SIBs before replacing the valve seals. * B11 07 11 - Turbocharger Failure: Oil Supply and Return…
- 10154818Feb 1, 2018N20 AND N26 ENGINES TURBOCHARGER ELECTRIC WASTEGATE ACTUATOR LINKAGE PIN CORROSION This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 14 17 dated February 2018.
- 10154817Feb 1, 2018ENGINE VIBRATIONS OR NOISE. One of the following complaints may be reported The engine runs erratically; The engine causes vibrations when running; Grinding noise from the engine…
- 10135019Feb 1, 2018Engine Oil Quick Reference Chart and Drain Plug Torque: The current version of ISTA/D has an error in the engine oil capacity specification for all vehicles with the N63R engine…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 17 | 29% |
| 2015 | 14 | 22% |
| 2014 | 14 | 25% |
| 2013 | 37 | 51% |
| 2012 | 43 | 48% |
| 2011 | 34 | 29% |
| 2010 | 16 | 25% |
| 2009 | 8 | 35% |
| 2008 | 20 | 17% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW 528I
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW 528I
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology