2012 BMW 528XI Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 33%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 BMW 528XI, 33% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had issues with my car while driving and when taken to the dealer for check, they mentioned my timing chain and engine has some issues and needs to be replaced with an estimate of $14000 while the car loan I had on it was $12000. This is ridiculous as we already know Bmw 2012 models have engine issues.”
NHTSA complaint #11322939, filed 2020-05, 70,000 miles“Warning for chassis stabilization is on, I encountered not being able to accelerate and had the car towed. I was on a main road and I got rear ended immediately after I was not able to accelerate and I had my hazard lights flashing”
NHTSA complaint #11351466, filed 2020-08, 67,000 miles“I bought a certified Bmw and had continuous issues with my engine, constantly refilling the oil, even after service. After taking this to the dealer, I was told that everything was fine and there weren't any issues. All of this finally came to a head-on sunday, 6/21/2020 when my car finally came to an abrupt stop. After towing, I was told that this is a timing chain issue and would cost me $7,400 which wouldn't necessarily remedy the issue, I heard this could reach towards 15-20k. …”
NHTSA complaint #11330703, filed 2020-06, 84,000 miles“Driving down the street when all of a sudden car says drive train malfunction I was stopped at the light on a one way street on 11/20/2020 when the car just died no warning just shut off wouldn't start couldn't put it in neutral blocked traffic for about 90 minutes before I could get a tow truck to remove my car. I have a 2012 Bmw 528XI with about 90k + miles on it I was so scared because it could have happens to me on the highway or in the middle of the street and I would no have been able to get out of harms way.”
NHTSA complaint #11375692, filed 2020-11, 91,000 miles“My 2012 Bmw 528 xdrive suddenly got a warning low oil pressure follows by drive train malfunction, and slows down-went on neutral and stop in the middle of the road. All that happened within less than a minute. I got it towed to the Bmw dealership for a diagnostic and they told me that the timing chain guide has broken apart, timing chain came off, jumped time, starved engine for oil & contaminated engine and will require a whole new engine replace which will cost around $13756.56 +labor+tax my total was $ 16456. …”
NHTSA complaint #11258583, filed 2019-09, 105,628 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 BMW 528XI
29 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW 528XI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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