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Bmw 528i — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Bmw 528i model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
38
Years to Avoid
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Best Years
2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981
2016Avoid
102 complaints4 recalls1 invest.208 TSBs
2015Avoid
101 complaints1 recalls1 invest.271 TSBs
2014Avoid
89 complaints3 recalls1 invest.350 TSBs
2013Avoid
119 complaints4 recalls1 invest.386 TSBs
2012Avoid
145 complaints4 recalls1 invest.372 TSBs
2011Avoid
164 complaints4 recalls341 TSBs
2010
87 complaints2 recalls62 TSBs
2009
33 complaints2 recalls55 TSBs
2008
181 complaints2 recalls56 TSBs
2007
1 complaints1 recalls7 TSBs
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001
3 complaints0 recalls6 TSBs
2000
53 complaints1 recalls13 TSBs
1999
59 complaints0 recalls10 TSBs
1998
39 complaints0 recalls19 TSBs
1997
49 complaints0 recalls32 TSBs
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980
2 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1979
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Bmw 528i Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 Bmw 528i are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Bmw 528i, consider the 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

38 model years analyzed