2009 BMW 528I: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle fail breaks malfunction. No response to the brakes. Push many times no break response vehicle hit vehicle in front of it could not be avoided That rotors are less than one year old there about six or 7000 miles on them. They are basically new new tires car will maintain no lights on dash no warning no airbag deployment. Vehicle going in slow speed due to heavy traffic”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2025
“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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2022
“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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that he started to smell a burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2022
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“The contact owns a 2009 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated the vehicle was overheating and unsafe to drive. The contact was advised to seek a loaner vehicle while waiting for parts to become available. The approximate failure mileage was 205,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2022
“I took the 2009 BMW 528i to Bridgeport BMW to have a prior safety recall (17V-673/19V-273) repaired but, it wasn't fixed and my car caught on fire last year before I got another recall letter stating that there's no remedy for the Recall Campaign No. 22V-119: PCV Valve Heater.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2021
“The contact owns a 2009 BMW 528I. The contact stated while turning on the heater, there was a bad odor coming from the heater. 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 dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts are not available”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2021
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2018
“Found recall info online. Told recall notice would be sent in december. No notice as of yet! Don't want to die because of bmw's negligence!”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2017
“I keep getting warnings that the head lamp, running lamps are malfunctioning. I took it in for service and found exposed wires and was told this is a fire hazard resulting in the headlight wiring insulation flaking off and leaving copper wire exposed and wires are touching, uninsulated wires. Wires are shorting out the lights, burning bulbs and cause malfunctions in the headlights, turn signals, parking lights, and daytime running lights and is a fire hazard.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2017
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 528I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 BMW 528I reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 BMW 528I. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2009 BMW 528I have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:tail lights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.