2012 BMW 528I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 22%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 BMW 528I, 22% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle bought in july 2014 with ~24k miles; still under factory warranty. Maintenance maintained. 9-12 months later, a drive train malfunction light came on. I had just left the dealership so I called them and they told me to bring it back immediately; I did. Many tests later, was told my motherboard died (dme unit); after a month in the shop...repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10861029, filed 2016-04, 56,000 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 miles“When driving the car on the highway, a drive train malfunction warning would appear frequently on the display panel. I took the car to valley Bmw in modesto, ca, on november 2018. After on extensive diagnostic evaluation, they found nothing wrong with the vehicle. The only suggestion was to replace the car's battery. I took the car to batteries plus bulbs for a second opinion. They determined that the battery was still in good condition and did not need to be replaced. The drive train malfunction continued to appear when driving on highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11307945, filed 2020-02, 93,915 miles“Last week I was on the nj turnpike when all of a sudden my car stall and lost power, I barley got off the turnpike when the car came to a completely stop. No warning messages or noises just stopped. Fortunately no accident occurred due to this but could have been an ugly one. The car would not start and was towed to the Bmw dealer. The car was inspected, oil was clean, no water damage, however they tell me I need a new engine (13k) has the engine seized without telling me what caused it.the car has 83k miles. I've been a Bmw owner for 19 years. …”
NHTSA complaint #11184817, filed 2019-03, 83,000 miles“I was driving on the road and I accelerated a lil bit faster to beat the traffic light and then my car loss power and stalled out and I got stuck in the middle of the bridge and I was causing traffic the power train malfunction and the fuel supply light cam on and the charge battery light came on I try starting it but it wouldn't start and the fuel supply light kept coming on and some wiring problem was going on when trying to start it my tv screen would turn orange and the speedometer where the MPH/gas/temperature/and RPM would twitch like some electrical problem”
NHTSA complaint #11348491, filed 2020-08, 107,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10204656Sep 1, 2021With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Gelis, et al. v…
- 10203331Sep 1, 2021BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the engine timing chain and oil pump drive chain modules to: 7 years/70,000 miles as determined by the…
- 10179810Aug 1, 2020N20 and N26 Differential Pressure Sensor Fault: 195002 Stored in DME: The Service Engine Soon (MIL) light is on with the following differential pressure sensor fault stored…
- 10174009Apr 1, 2020TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B34 05 17 dated September 2017. Ticking noise coming from…
- 10135032Feb 1, 2018TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AXLE WHEN CORNERING: The customer may complain of a metallic ticking noise from the front axle when cornering, maneuvering, parking or pulling away…
- 10146821Sep 1, 2016CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 31 01 12 dated June 2015. Clicking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at…
- 10151302May 1, 2016N63, N63TU, S63 and S63TU Engines: Oil Leak from the Rear of the Engine and Transmission Bell Housing. Customer complains that engine oil is leaking from the center of the…
- 10147241Sep 1, 2015Shudder from the Driveline on Vehicles with xDrive. There is a shudder or vibration from the driveline when taking off from a stop, or when accelerating at highway speeds. CAUSE…
- 10151404Aug 1, 2015Vibration or Shudder from Driveline when Accelerating from a Stop. Chassis stabilization warning is displayed. Vehicle may exhibit a shudder or vibration when taking off from a…
- 10147198Jul 1, 2015Cracking in Rear Differential Mount Bushing. During inspection, the rear differential mount in the rear axle support shows signs of cracking.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 13 | 18% |
| 2012 | 20 | 22% |
| 2011 | 25 | 21% |
| 2010 | 9 | 14% |
| 2008 | 15 | 13% |
| 1999 | 4 | 9% |
| 1998 | 4 | 12% |
| 1997 | 5 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW 528I
43 complaintsFuel system
29 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 28, 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