BMW
528i
Midsize Cars · model years 2010 to 2016
Includes 528i and 528i xDrive as listed by the EPA.
The verdict
Best year: 2010. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 122; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3.
Worst year: 2011. complaints: 198, about 6.4x this model's typical 31; recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3.
Year by year
| Year | Trims | MPG | HP | Fuel cost | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations | Top complaints | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4Gas | 20.5 | 230 | $3,750 | 0 | 0 | 0 | no data | |
Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2011 | 1Gas | 25 | 255 | $3,100 | 4 | 198 | 0 | ENGINE 14%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%, POWER TRAIN 14% | |
Score: 19 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2012 | 2Gas | 26.5 | 241 | $2,900 | 4 | 99 | 1 | ENGINE 28%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 17%, POWER TRAIN 15% | |
Score: 41 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2013 | 2Gas | 26.5 | no data | $2,900 | 4 | 73 | 1 | ENGINE 32%, AIR BAGS 12%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12% | |
Score: 54 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2014 | 2Gas | 26 | no data | $2,950 | 3 | 55 | 1 (1 open) | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 28%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22%, ENGINE 15% | |
Score: 61 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2015 | 2Gas | 26 | no data | $2,950 | 1 | 61 | 1 (1 open) | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 31%, ENGINE 12% | |
Score: 68 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2016 | 2Gas | 26.5 | no data | $2,900 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1 open) | no data | |
Score: 87 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
How the numbers moved
How we score each year
We compare each year of the BMW 528i to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.
A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.
Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.