Engine-compartment and highway fires
Fire while driving or parked, including total-loss incidents
Check engine light: On
Twelve separate fire complaints reported for a single model year, including a vehicle that caught fire on the highway and was completely destroyed, an engine-compartment fire at 65 mph the owner extinguished with a fire extinguisher, and a parked-vehicle fire with heavy smoke from the engine bay.
An unusually high number of fire complaints for a single model year. Fire-related complaints also appear on several other BMW models.
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Passenger airbag occupancy sensor mat failures
Warning lights, airbag system disabled
Check engine light: On
Passenger seat occupancy sensor mat failures disable the airbag system, with warning lights — the single largest complaint category for this nameplate (90+ complaints for a single model year).
A recall exists for this defect, but multiple owners report their VINs excluded from coverage despite identical symptoms.
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Simultaneous dual headlight failure
Both headlights failing at once while driving
Check engine light: Off
Both headlights reportedly failed simultaneously at night while cornering at 55 mph, leaving the driver briefly without headlights before they came back on.
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Reduced braking power from vacuum pump or booster leaks
Reduced stopping power, hard pedal response
Check engine light: On
15+ complaints describe reduced braking power tied to vacuum pump failures and brake booster leaks, plus a separate report of hard pedal response during city driving.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Oil Leaks From the Engine Area
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, oil leaks develop from the engine area
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, oil leaks develop from the engine area. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 131 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Front Tension Strut Bushings May Fail
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, the front tension strut bushings may fail
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, the front tension strut bushings may fail. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 76 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Blower Final Stage Fan Resistor May Fail
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, the blower final stage fan resistor may fail
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, the blower final stage fan resistor may fail. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 56 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Multiple Power Steering Hoses May Simultaneously Fail
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, multiple power steering hoses may fail at the same time
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, multiple power steering hoses may fail at the same time. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 41 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Coolant Loss Due to a Leak From the Expansion Tank
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, coolant is lost due to a leak from the expansion tank
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, coolant is lost due to a leak from the expansion tank. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 37 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Coolant Leak From the Radiator
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, coolant leaks from the radiator
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, coolant leaks from the radiator. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 36 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Check Engine Light and/or Engine Overheating
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, the check engine light illuminates and/or the engine overheats
Check engine light: On
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, the check engine light illuminates and/or the engine overheats. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 33 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Alignment or Tire Wear Issues Due to Excessive Play in the Rear Lower Ball Joints
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, alignment or tire wear issues occur due to excessive play in the rear lower ball joints
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, alignment or tire wear issues occur due to excessive play in the rear lower ball joints. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 16 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Noise From Top of Front or Rear Doors When Windows Are Fully Up
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, a noise develops from the top of the front or rear doors when the windows are fully raised
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, a noise develops from the top of the front or rear doors when the windows are fully raised. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 20 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Water Pump May Develop a Coolant Leak
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, the water pump may develop a coolant leak
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, the water pump may develop a coolant leak. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 14 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 525i and 528i Models (2004-2010): Engine Overheating Caution
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, an engine overheating caution is noted
Check engine light: Off
In certain 525i and 528i models from 2004-2010, an engine overheating caution is noted. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 12 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 528i Models (2008-2010): Check Engine Light Due to a Valvetronic System Fault
In certain 528i models from 2008-2010, the check engine light illuminates due to a valvetronic system fault
Check engine light: On
In certain 528i models from 2008-2010, the check engine light illuminates due to a valvetronic system fault. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 16 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 528i Models (2008-2010): Intermittent Ticking Noise From the Valve Train
In certain 528i models from 2008-2010, an intermittent ticking noise develops from the valve train
Check engine light: Off
In certain 528i models from 2008-2010, an intermittent ticking noise develops from the valve train. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 14 owner reports on file.
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In Certain 528i Models (2008-2010): Outside Mirror May Fold Out Too Far
In certain 528i models from 2008-2010, the outside power-folding mirror may fold out past its normal stop position
Check engine light: Off
In certain 528i models from 2008-2010, the outside power-folding mirror may fold out past its normal stop position. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 10 owner reports on file.
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This generation shows an unusually high fire-incident count for a single model year — 12 separate fire complaints, including a vehicle that caught fire on the highway and was completely destroyed, and an engine-compartment fire at 65 mph the owner extinguished themselves. The single largest complaint category is passenger airbag occupancy sensor mat failures, which disable the airbag system — a recall exists, but multiple owners report their VINs were excluded from coverage despite identical symptoms. Separately, both headlights reportedly failed simultaneously at night while cornering at 55 mph.