2015 BMW 528i Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2015 BMW 528i has 98 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve electrical system and engine and engine cooling.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 98 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
33 33.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
31 31.6%
ENGINE
12 12.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 6.1%
STRUCTURE:BODY
4 4.1%
Quick Insights
The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 33.7% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 14 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2015 BMW 528i
The 2015 BMW 528i has 98 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 34% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2015 BMW 528i are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (33), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (31), ENGINE (12).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 80 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2015 BMW 528i?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 14 of 14 systems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
33 Reports34% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
9/11/2024
The contact owns a 2015 BMW. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
10/23/2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
31 Reports32% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled a burning odor through the vents. An unknown warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the engine which caused the PCV valve to overheat. The contact was informed that the PCV valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
1/26/2023
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
9/11/2024
ENGINE
12 Reports12% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
ENGINE LIGHT ON WHILE IN MOTION. GIVING CODE FC 193208 STORED IN DME, JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 8MONTHS AGO, UNDER WARRANTY AND THIS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. I BELIEVE THE FIRST TRIP WAS JUST A TEMPORARY REPAIR TO JUST RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN RESET AGAIN AND WAS TOLD UNABLE TO REPAIR.
1/30/2019
OIL LEAKS ENGINE COMPARTMENT (ALL OVER) GASKETS, OIL FILTER HOUSING , BOTTOM OF ENGINE AND BAD SMELL ENTERS TO DRIVER COMPARTMENT EVEN IT IS ON INSIDE CIRCULATION( OIL BURN SMELLS,ETC FROM ENGINE DEPT)
10/1/2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
MY NAME IS [XXX], I AM LIVING IN BUFORD - GEORGIA, USA. ON THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018, AT 17:00 P.M., 75 F AVERAGE TEMPERATURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 BMW CAR, MODEL 528I SEDAN, VIN: [XXX], ON I-75 IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, USA. THE SPEED OF TRAVEL WAS AROUND 70 MILES PER HOUR AND I WAS 200 MILES SOUTH OF ATLANTA. AT THAT TIME, 17:00 P.M., I FELT A VERY LOUD NOISE ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR AND THEN A FLURRY OF STRANGE ELEMENTS THAT HIT THE ROOF AND BACK OF THE CAR. WHEN I PARKED, I NOTICED THAT IT WAS THE SUNROOF OF THE CAR THAT, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, EXPLODED INTO MILLIONS OF PIECES. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT NOR THE SIDE, SO I RULE OUT THAT A STONE HIT. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THEY ARE CHECKING IT FOR REPAIR. THEY GAVE ME A REPLACEMENT CAR UNTIL THE REPAIR IS READY. IN ADDITION TO THE FRIGHT AND HIGH RISK THAT I HAD ON THE HIGHWAY, I AM FINE, BUT VERY WORRIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I TRAVEL NORMALLY EVERY 60 DAYS APPROXIMATELY 1,000 MILES AND I DO NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS HIGH RISK TO MY INTEGRITY, COMPANIONS AND CARS NEARBY. GLASSES SCRATCHED THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE ROOF AND THE TRUNK. I HOPE YOU CAN ASSURE ME THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE CAR. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE DRIVING WITH THE INSIDE WINDOW OF THE ROOF CLOSED, OTHERWISE I WOULD BE TELLING A VERY SERIOUS TRAGEDY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF BMW OF GWINNETT PLACE, 3264 COMMERCE AVE. DULUTH, GA 30096, WAITING TO BE REPAIRED AND TO INFORM ME ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
4/20/2018
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND HAD GLASS RAIN DOWN ON ME FROM MY JUST EXPLODED SUNROOF. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE FROM A ROCK BEING EJECTED FROM THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME BUT I FOLLOWED THE TRUCK UNTIL THEY STOPPED AND THEIR LOAD WAS EMPTY.
12/17/2018
STRUCTURE:BODY
4 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
RECKLESS DRIVING.
10/2/2016
SAFETY ISSUE: DOOR CAN NOT BE LOCK/UNLOCK MANUALLY AND ONLY ELECTRONICALLY. BMW IS NOT WILLING TO FIX IT. THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DURING TIME OF EMERGENCY ONE CAN NOT UNLOCK THE CAR AND GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE.
1/11/2019
POWER TRAIN
2 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2016. MY 2015 BMW 528I VEHICLE HAD A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. THE CAR DIED ON THE 95NORTHBOUND AND I WAS IN THE SPEEDLANE IN MOTION GOING OVER 70 MILES AN HOUR AND THE CAR WHEN INTO A DEAD STOP AND ALMOST CAUSED OVER A 30 CAR PILEUP. I WAS ALMOST KILLED! THIS CAR IS 1 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND CANNOT GET BACK IN IT. BMW IS INSISTING THAT IT IS SAFE AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT PUT MY FAMILIES LIFE'S OR MY LIFE IN JEOPARDY. BMW IS INSISTING THAT THEY FIXED IT AND WILL NOT SWITCH OUT THIS CAR FOR A DIFFERENT MODEL. I DO NOT WANT TO KEEP THIS CAR I AM IN A LEASE WITH THEM AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO SWITCH OUT THIS CAR TO A DIFFERENT MODEL OR VEHICLE TYPE TO ENSURE MY SAFETY. I HAVE ALSO RESEARCHED AND READ ONLINE THAT BMW HAS HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH THE ENGINE STOPPING FOR NO REASON AND NOW MY CAR DID THE SAME. THIS CAR WAS ALSO SERVICED WITH THE BMW DEALERSHIP 5DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST ME? I AM PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER AS WELL AS THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE TO THIS MATTER. *TR
11/4/2016
OIL LEAKS ENGINE COMPARTMENT (ALL OVER) GASKETS, OIL FILTER HOUSING , BOTTOM OF ENGINE AND BAD SMELL ENTERS TO DRIVER COMPARTMENT EVEN IT IS ON INSIDE CIRCULATION( OIL BURN SMELLS,ETC FROM ENGINE DEPT)
10/1/2019
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
2 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BMW OF GWINNETT PLACE, 3264 COMMERCE AVE NW, DULUTH, GA 30096, (770) 476-8800), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
4/20/2018
MY NAME IS [XXX], I AM LIVING IN BUFORD - GEORGIA, USA. ON THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018, AT 17:00 P.M., 75 F AVERAGE TEMPERATURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 BMW CAR, MODEL 528I SEDAN, VIN: [XXX], ON I-75 IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, USA. THE SPEED OF TRAVEL WAS AROUND 70 MILES PER HOUR AND I WAS 200 MILES SOUTH OF ATLANTA. AT THAT TIME, 17:00 P.M., I FELT A VERY LOUD NOISE ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR AND THEN A FLURRY OF STRANGE ELEMENTS THAT HIT THE ROOF AND BACK OF THE CAR. WHEN I PARKED, I NOTICED THAT IT WAS THE SUNROOF OF THE CAR THAT, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, EXPLODED INTO MILLIONS OF PIECES. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT NOR THE SIDE, SO I RULE OUT THAT A STONE HIT. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THEY ARE CHECKING IT FOR REPAIR. THEY GAVE ME A REPLACEMENT CAR UNTIL THE REPAIR IS READY. IN ADDITION TO THE FRIGHT AND HIGH RISK THAT I HAD ON THE HIGHWAY, I AM FINE, BUT VERY WORRIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I TRAVEL NORMALLY EVERY 60 DAYS APPROXIMATELY 1,000 MILES AND I DO NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS HIGH RISK TO MY INTEGRITY, COMPANIONS AND CARS NEARBY. GLASSES SCRATCHED THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE ROOF AND THE TRUNK. I HOPE YOU CAN ASSURE ME THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE CAR. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE DRIVING WITH THE INSIDE WINDOW OF THE ROOF CLOSED, OTHERWISE I WOULD BE TELLING A VERY SERIOUS TRAGEDY. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF BMW OF GWINNETT PLACE, 3264 COMMERCE AVE. DULUTH, GA 30096, WAITING TO BE REPAIRED AND TO INFORM ME ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
4/20/2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
Fuel tank ventilation system malfunctioning
9/20/2022
I started my bmw up one day after working 16 hours and white thick smoke came from the back tailpipe. Tok it to bmw and they said my car is leaking oil on to the turbo and I need to replace the pump, shocks, valves and others because of this leak. And the car started to issue a transmission fault code on the screen.
1/10/2025
WHEELS
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
APRIL OF 2015, I PURCHASED A 2015 BMW 528I. I STARTED EXPERIENCING VIBRATION AND SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A ROAD TEST AND DETERMINES THERE WERE ISSUES WITH MY TIRES. BMW WOULD ONLY REPLACE TWO TIRES, LEAVING ME WITH TWO DEFECTIVE TIRES. AS OF TODAY, MY TIRES NEED REPLACEMENT. THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD BE BUYING NEW TIRES AS THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY HAS NOT EXPIRED. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RECEIVE HELP FOR THIS.
2/24/2016
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BMW OF GWINNETT PLACE, 3264 COMMERCE AVE NW, DULUTH, GA 30096, (770) 476-8800), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
4/20/2018
AIR BAGS
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I am writing to bring to your attention a safety defect in the 2015 BMW 528i that needs to be investigated. The vehicle has a defect in the design of the occupant protection system, involving both the seatbelt and airbag systems. The battery in the 2015 BMW 528i is located in the trunk just interior and below the rear bumper. In a rear-end collision the battery may become disabled and relies on a capacitor for back up power. Per BMW specifications the capacitor only holds power for 150 seconds. In a resulting frontal impact, the airbags will not deploy if the battery power has been disrupted and the capacitor has also run out of power before the frontal impact reaches a threshold to deploy the airbags. A corresponding flaw in the occupant protection system is the adaptive load limiter disposal firing. Per BMW specifications, the adaptive load limiter had a disposal firing at 250 seconds after the initial load limiter is activated. This disposal firing allows for additional spool out of the seatbelt. This has catastrophic consequences when the front airbag has not deployed and the driver is released from the seatbelt due to the additional spool out and is allowed to come into contact with the steering wheel. Both the power defect and the adaptive load limiter defect impacts the safety performance as it relates to the passenger as well. This accident scenario was recently put to a jury in Alexander v. BMW of North America, LLC, 7:18-cv-03065-JD in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Spartanburg Division. In Alexander, the load limiter deployed at 18 ms, the power was disrupted at 120 ms, the adaptive load limiter then fired at 268 ms, and the capacitor lost power at 270 ms. The airbag was not able to be fired and the additional spool out allowed Ms. Alexander to strike the steering wheel. The jury returned a verdict for the Plaintiff and found that the system, including the airbag and seatbelt system, was defective.
3/10/2023
SEAT BELTS
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I am writing to bring to your attention a safety defect in the 2015 BMW 528i that needs to be investigated. The vehicle has a defect in the design of the occupant protection system, involving both the seatbelt and airbag systems. The battery in the 2015 BMW 528i is located in the trunk just interior and below the rear bumper. In a rear-end collision the battery may become disabled and relies on a capacitor for back up power. Per BMW specifications the capacitor only holds power for 150 seconds. In a resulting frontal impact, the airbags will not deploy if the battery power has been disrupted and the capacitor has also run out of power before the frontal impact reaches a threshold to deploy the airbags. A corresponding flaw in the occupant protection system is the adaptive load limiter disposal firing. Per BMW specifications, the adaptive load limiter had a disposal firing at 250 seconds after the initial load limiter is activated. This disposal firing allows for additional spool out of the seatbelt. This has catastrophic consequences when the front airbag has not deployed and the driver is released from the seatbelt due to the additional spool out and is allowed to come into contact with the steering wheel. Both the power defect and the adaptive load limiter defect impacts the safety performance as it relates to the passenger as well. This accident scenario was recently put to a jury in Alexander v. BMW of North America, LLC, 7:18-cv-03065-JD in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Spartanburg Division. In Alexander, the load limiter deployed at 18 ms, the power was disrupted at 120 ms, the adaptive load limiter then fired at 268 ms, and the capacitor lost power at 270 ms. The airbag was not able to be fired and the additional spool out allowed Ms. Alexander to strike the steering wheel. The jury returned a verdict for the Plaintiff and found that the system, including the airbag and seatbelt system, was defective.
3/10/2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the diagnostic test showed that the fuel rail system was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle repaired; however, several days later, the failure returned while traveling at highway speeds; the drivetrain maintenance message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective fuel pump. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, and it was discovered that the vehicle was leaking oil and the valve cover gasket needed to be repaired. The vehicle had received a valve cover gasket repair, but the failure persisted. In addition, the manufacturer was notified about the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that issue was not related to the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
3/14/2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side headlight flickered, and the contact pulled over to the side of the road and discovered that the headlight housing was full of water. The failure had occurred on several different occasions with both headlights. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the front driver's and passenger's side headlight housings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
4/23/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2015 BMW 528i?
Are complaints about the 2015 BMW 528i a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2015 BMW 528i?
Are complaints about the 2015 BMW 528i severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
BMW 528i: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 98
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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