2011 BMW 528I Power Train Problems

I am filing a complaint regarding the recall work performed on my 2011 BMW 528i for the VANOS bolt safety recall. The recall notice stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive until repaired. I arranged towing to Jackie Cooper BMW in Edmond, Oklahoma because of this safety warning. The dealership performed the recall repair and released the vehicle back to me. Immediately after picking it up, the vehicle experienced a failure and became inoperable. The vehicle had to be towed again. This time, the dealership covered the towing cost and had the vehicle returned to my residence. Staff present at the time included a technician named Luke and the Service Drive Manager, Tayler Hawkins. Staff statements indicated that diagnostic charges would have applied if issues outside the recall were found, but no diagnostics were ultimately billed. There were also inconsistencies regarding the availability of the service manager. I am filing this complaint because the vehicle failed immediately after recall service and required towing. I am concerned that the recall work may not have been performed correctly or that the vehicle was released in a condition that was not suitable for operation. I am requesting that this incident be documented as part of the recall and safety record for this vehicle.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over, and after several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, and the message "Drivetrain Malfunction" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure started recently and had occurred several times. Additionally, the vehicle was vibrating intermittently and lost motive power. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle failed to accelerate above 15 MPH. The contact smelled the odor of gasoline inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

It feels like someone is hitting me from behind when it downshifts from I believe 2nd into 1st gear. Its a hard down shift. I was told by a mechanic at Bavarian Auto in Bakersfield Ca. His name is Sal and he is the owner. I told him when I took my car in that I wanted the transmission fluid changed. He told me it's a lifetime transmission and it never had to be changed. Now I'm pretty sure I'm having a problem with my transmission because of it needing the oil changed.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and made unusual sounds. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift as intended and was seized in park(P). The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,582.

Mileage: 148,582

I have a 2011 SIX-cylinder BMW 528i. I was driving down the road and had a yellow engine light come on and my car lost all power and I coasted into a parking area and then had my vehicle towed to the BMW Service Center. They determined the problem was that the VANOS UNIT BOLTS had broken off and they repaired the vehicle charging me $6678.11. I found out about a recall for 2010-2012 5 series BMW’s and my service advisor told me that I didn’t qualify for is because the recall had expired in 2021. I called BMW North America and they referred me to NHITSA. I have a video sent to me from the service technician showing me where the bolts had sheared off. I feel that this should have been repaired by BMW at no charge to me.

WAS AT MY FIANC GRANDADS FUNERAL SATURDAY 02/06/2021 AND THE CAR STARTED ACTING STRANGE IMMEDIATELY I HEARD STRANGE NOICE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE GOT A DIAGNOSIS AND MECHANIC TOLD ME VVT ISSUES GOT IF FIXED AT A CERTIFIED BMW TECH AND ON HIS BULLETIN I SEEN THE RECALL AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THAT HE GETS MANY CARS EVERY WEEK FOR THIS JOB HE TOLD ME I WOULD BE REIMBURSED FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA I HAVE ALL THE RECITES FOR THE LABOR AND PARTS AND I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP IN GETTING THIS RESOLVED

Mileage: 94,000

CAR STALLS, AND A BUNCH OF MALFUNCTIONS ARISE, ULTIMATELY LEAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON

Mileage: 5

THE VEHICLE SLIPS WHEN ACCELERATING (ESPECIALLY UPHILL). IT LOST POWER TWICE AND I RESET THE MODULES BY TURNING ON THE ELECTRICAL AND STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR FOR 30 SECONDS. BUT IT CONTINUES TO SLIP

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POPPED OUT OF GEAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. AND STALLED

Mileage: 109,327

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ROUGH RUNNING, HESITATION AND JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING.

Mileage: 70,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND REDUCING SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

TAKATA RECALL MY 528I BMW IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC HAS A VERY HARD JERK WHEN SLOWING DOWN FEELING AS IF IM BEEEING HIT FROM BEHIND I NOTICED IT WHEN I FIRST GOT MY CAR IT WOULD DO IT INTERMIDETLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IT ALSO HAS A THROTTLE RESPONSE DELAY WHICH IS ALSO DANGEROUS WHEN GOING INTO TRAFFIC. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR THIS FIX IT SEEMS TO BE A SOFTWARE ISSUE TO ME BECAUSE WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT HOURS LATER THE PROBLEM STOPS BUT COMES BACK WEEKS LATER. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS DATING BACK TO 2011 OF THIS PROBLEM WHERE IS THE RECALL?

Mileage: 58,000

TAKATA RECALL VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A COMPLETE STOP, MOST NOTICEABLE DURING STOP/GO TRAFFIC DRIVING WITH AIR COND ON

Mileage: 47,000

MY VEHICLE LOSS POWER WHILE DRIVING BABIES TO DAYCARE. THE CARE STARTED SHAKING AND WOULD NOT GAIN POWER IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE TOOK ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO WARM THEN THE INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OF AND NO PROBLEMS. THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS A YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT FOLLOWED BY DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. THE CAR JERKS NOW. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND I SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE TO WHO. HAS THIS MODEL CAR. ALSO THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER IN GERMANY MEANING THERE ARE AWARE OF ISSUE. THIS NEEDS A MAJOR RECALL BECAUSE IN SOME OF THE CASES THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC. I PARKED MY CAR UNTIL SOME ONE COULD SAY WHAT THE ACTUAL CASE IS AND FIX. I SEE MOST PEOPLE HAVE TAKING THERE VEHICLES IN MORE THAN 3 TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. I ALSO RESEARCH DRIVETRAIN IN BMW AND ANOTHER MODEL WAS RECALLED AND FIXED. SO I'M THINKING ALL MODELS NEED TO BE RECALLED.

Mileage: 53,000

WHEN DRIVING AND STOPING AT A STOP SING AND ACCELERATE THE CAR LAG TO MOVE. ALSO WHEN ACCELERATEING AT LOW SPEED THE CAR JERKS.

Mileage: 43,000

THIS WAS THE 1ST OUT OF 3 TIMES MY VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I WAS VERY NERVOUS,SCARED AND UPSET BEING THAT I HAD TOLD BMW THAT THE COOLANT WAS CONSTANTLY SHOWING ME LOW COOLANT LIGHT ALONG WITH POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. BUT THEY WOULD ALWAYS TRY TO ERASURE ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED.I FELT THAT ALL THE GENTLEMAN AT CARMAX CHUCKLED QUIETLY TO THEMSELVES AS I STOOD BEFORE THEM TIRELESSLY REQUESTING THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOK AT THE CAR TO PROVE THAT I'M NOT A JOKE AND JUST BECAUSE I'M A GIRL DOESN'T MEAN I DON'T KNOW HOW CARS WORK. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

NO ACCELERATION TO VERY DANGEROUS FAST ACCELERATION WITHOUT ANY SIGN. DETAILS: STEPPED ON GAS SOFTLY, SLOWLY ACCELERATED, VERY SLOW. KEPT SAME PRESSURE, SUDDENLY, THE CAR RUSHED... FORTUNATELY, NO CAR AHEAD OF ME. COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL! SAME TRIP AS ABOVE. AFTER RED LIGHT, STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL, RPM REACHED 4K+ RPM QUICKLY, SPEED KEPT BELOW 15MPH, ENGINE VERY LOUD. TURNED OFF CAR. RESTART, BACK TO NORMAL WITH "VERY SLOW" RESPONSE FROM GAS PEDAL. MANAGED TO GET BACK HOME. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

THIS VEHICLE HAS A HESITATION OF THROTTLE ACCELERATION FROM IDLE AND SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS.PRESENTS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FROM IDLE POSITION TO ACCELERATION. A 1-2 SECOND DELAY CONSISTENTLY HAPPENS. THE BMW DEALER REPORTED TO ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION BUT DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION YET. IF ENOUGH REPORTS OF THIS INCIDENT WERE HANDED IN THEN IT MAY NECESSITATE A CURE FROM BMW. APPARENTLY NOT ENOUGH SQUEAKY WHEELS PER SAY FOR BMW TO ACT.HOPEFULLY THIS ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS ALREADY ON YOUR WEB SITE ABOUT THIS VERY SAME ISSUE IS ENOUGH TO GET BMW TO ACT ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Mileage: 6,000

WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO START DRIVING, THERE IS A VERY DISTINCT AND UNCOMFORTABLE LAG OF ABOUT 2 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A TWO-WAY DIVIDED ROAD FROM A RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX. THE VISIBILITY TO THE LEFT IS LIMITED TO ABOUT 200 FT DUE TO A CURVE IN THE DIVIDED ROAD. WHEN I START MOVING FROM THE STOP SIGN, I HAVE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY TRAFFIC THAT MAY BE COMING AT SPEED BEHIND ME. THIS ACCELERATOR LAG MAKES FOR A SAFETY CONCERN. I IMAGINE THIS CAN ALSO BE A SAFETY CONCERN DURING MERGING INTO FREEWAYS WITH VERY SHORT ON RAMPS AND THE RAMP METER ON. *TR

Mileage: 44,740

AS MY CAR WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, I FELT A QUICK JERK FORWARD AND THOUGHT I WAS REAR-ENDED. I LOOKED BACK AND THERE WASN'T A CAR. AS I PULLED INTO MY PARKING SPACE, I WAS SWITCHING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE CAR JERKED AGAIN, LIKE I WAS BEING REAR ENDED. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS SKIPPING A GEAR (I DRIVE AN AUTOMATIC). THEN AS I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT, I PUSHED THE GAS DOWN AND FOR ALMOST 2 SECONDS THE CAR DID NOTHING, THEN JERKED HARD FORWARD AND STARTED TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 39,000

AFTER PURCHASING MY 2011 528I I NOTICED THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY FROM A STOP OR AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN, IT ACTUALLY FELT LIKE IT WAS APPLYING THE BREAKS UNTIL YOU APPLIED CLOSE TO HALF THROTTLE THEN IT WOULD LURCH FORWARD. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND RECEIVED A PATCH AND PROGRAMMING WHICH MADE NO CHANGE. TO TOP ALL OF THIS OFF IT PICKS AND CHOOSES WHEN ITS GOING TO DRIVE "NORMAL" SO YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT....THIS IS UNSAFE...... ON THE FREEWAY IT WONT DOWNSHIFT TO PASS UNLESS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR, THE MOTOR JUST LUGS AND WONT GIVE YOU THE EXPECTED RESPONSE CAUSING CARS AND TRUCKS ALIKE TO BE CUT OFF BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED.... I CANT BELIEVE BMW IS ALLOWING ITS FLAGSHIP MODEL THE 5 SERIES TO HAVE THESE ISSUES AND NOT ADDRESS THEM.... THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT AS DESCRIBED BY MANY, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND LEFT AT THE END OF THE DAY WITH A $300.00 ALIGNMENT????? I'M CONCERNED WITH GETTING STUCK WITH A LEMON $50,000 CAR THAT I WONT BE ABLE TO SELL, ATLEAST OFFER A BUY BACK PROGRAM??? HELP!!!!! *TR

Mileage: 150

THE VEHICLE HAS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN ACCELERATION THAT OCCURS PRIMARILY AFTER (I) THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED DOWN TO A SPEED BETWEEN 18 MPH AND 24 MPH; (II) A FULL STOP (ALTHOUGH IT IS INTERMITTENT FOLLOWING A FULL STOP) AND (III) SUDDEN SURGES OF ACCELERATION. THE ACCELERATION DELAY IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN MODERATE ACCELERATION IS DESIRED. THE PEDAL CAN BE DEPRESSED NEARLY FULLY WITH NO NOTICEABLE ACCELERATION FOR A SHORT PERIOD. AFTER THE DELAY THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE, OFTEN IN A SURGE. FROM A FULL STOP ACCELERATION IS OFTEN A JERKY AFFAIR. THE ACCELERATION ISSUES SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISE SAFETY DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED VEHICLE PERFORMANCE, BOTH WITH THE ACCELERATION DELAY AND THE SUDDEN SURGE OF ACCELERATION THAT OCCURS AFTER ABOUT A SECOND TO A SECOND AND A HALF AFTER THE ACCELERATOR HAS BEEN DEPRESSED. OFTEN TIMES WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN NEARLY HIT AS A RESULT OF THE ACCELERATION DELAY. LIKEWISE, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN UNTIL A ROAD IS EMPTY AS I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO CROSS OPPOSING TRAFFIC. *TR

Mileage: 2,000

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (50-80MPH), THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I'VE HAD ALIGNMENTS PERFORMED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE DEALER SAID IT'S WITHIN SPECIFICATION, AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. AFTER MORE PERSISTENCE, MY SERVICE ADVISER CAME BACK WITH: THE STOCK CAMBER SETTINGS ON BMW'S ARE PRETTY AGGRESSIVE, AND THEY CAN'T ADJUST THE CAMBER ANYMORE ON MY CAR TO RESOLVE THE PULLING TO THE RIGHT ISSUE. HE SAID THERE IS ANOTHER BMW SUSPENSION PART (CONTROL ARM) THEY CAN USE THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO ADJUST THE CAMBER MORE, WHICH WILL RESOLVE THE PULL ISSUE. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT BMW WON'T COVER THE COST TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED, WHICH IS JUST UNDER $1100.00, AND I'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF POCKET. I ADVISED MY ADVISER THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE, WHICH PROMPTED HIM TO CONTACT THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY WOULD COVER THE COST OF THE ALIGNMENT (~$185), BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE REMAINING AMOUNT (~$900). AFTER QUESTIONING THE DEALER FURTHER, THEY CONTACTED THE REGIONAL MANAGER ON MY BEHALF. THE REGIONAL MANAGER SAID BECAUSE THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR WAS SO HIGH (~40K), HE WOULD ONLY COVER THE COST OF THE PART, NOT LABOR. WHILE I APPRECIATE THE DEALER'S EFFORTS, I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING OUT OF POCKET TO FIX MY CAR SO IT WILL DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT PULLING, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY CAR IS STILL WITHIN MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT BMW NOW HAS A FIX FOR A KNOWN ISSUE WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. BMW SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO EXPENSE TO THE CUSTOMER, SINCE THIS HAS BEEN A DOCUMENTED ISSUE FOR SEVERAL CUSTOMERS STARTING AT 10 MILES, AFTER PURCHASING NEW. *TR

Mileage: 35,036

FROM A COMPLETE STOP, WHEN ACCELERATING, THERE IS A LAG OR HESITATION BEFORE THE CAR TAKES OFF. WHEN IT DOES TAKE OFF, THERE IS A HARD JERK. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO GAUGE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND OTHER CARS WHEN IT LUNGES VERY QUICKLY. IF YOU'RE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, AS IN MY CASE, IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO IF IT'S WET, AND THIS HAPPENS, IT COULD CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, AS IT CAN BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 33,000