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2011 BMW 528I: engine stalls while driving

23 of the 118 complaints about the 2011 BMW 528I describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints
23
of this car's complaints
19%
typical mileage
103,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 71 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AL

1. Vanos Bolts recall. the federal safety agency Recall 23V‑707. Cause the car the have a rough idle, check engine light, car to stall, and cut off in traffic all with seconds. Dealership says it was not the Vanos Bolts that cause the shutdown, but it is the DME and ICM. 2. The safety of myself and my 15 year old daughter was at risk, along with the drivers on the highway. The car stopped in traffic, and would not release out of park to go in neutral. 3. State Trooper came to call a tow truck, the car was inspected by BMW of Irondale. 4. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. The car was driving as normal, a sudden rough idle, light came on, and the car cut off in ongoing traffic, with not warning before.

Filed Sep 24, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 80,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Feb 10, 2025 · Engine · 112,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528i. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, following the recall repair, the vehicle was stalling with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed back to the same dealer. The contact stated that the dealer had diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the VANOS solenoids had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure of the VANOS solenoids to the recall repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Filed Nov 4, 2024 · Engine · GA

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at or above 50 MPH on several occasions, the vehicle began shaking and running rough. The check engine warning light flashed on and off during one occasion and then remained illuminated. Additionally, on two occasions while stopped at a red light and a stop sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. After two failed attempts to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was restarted several hours later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was then advised by the dealer that the vehicle would not start. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 29, 2024 · Engine · 170,000 miles · CA · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. The check engine warning light and brake warning light repeatedly illuminated on and off. The vehicle was difficult to control, causing the contact to drive over a pothole, causing the rear window glass to shatter. The contact's two children were in the rear seats, and one was cut in the back of the neck with the shattered glass. No medical attention was sought. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) prior to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact believed that the failure was caused by the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was drivable and was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jul 11, 2024 · Engine · NJ

Again I write about 2011 bmw 528i, the vanos bolts were recalled and when bmw was fixing them they showed a video , there was belt and metal pieces in the engine oil. Whoever had this car before me did fix the belt and other issues but they said they didn't take off the bottom of the engine pan for the oil to get out .. the vanos bolt recall when I looked it up was June 1st . I had bmw fix the missing bolts 🔩 June 7th it had to be towed there and back to my house. They said they made a decision that it did not happen because of the recall . Which it stated in the recall paperwork that it can affect the engine and to not drive it ! So as of today I have a bmw that was recalled and I do believe other recalls on this car as well had everything to do with me not having a car now because the engine misfiring and stalls and brake light and sensors are all no good. Does not add up . They refused to give a new engine because the car is worth way less than a new engine.

Filed Jul 9, 2024 · Engine · 103,580 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a failure with the VANOS bolts, and the contact was informed that the VANOS bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the engine would misfire, and the check engine warning was illuminated. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,580.

Filed Apr 23, 2024 · Engine · 194,460 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency 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 vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that after leaving the dealer, the contact's son was driving 70 MPH, and the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 20 MPH. The vehicle decelerated again and failed to exceed 5 MPH. The vehicle then stalled. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was able to be restarted and stalled while the contact was driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The "Engine Shut Down Immediately" and "Drivetrain Malfunction" messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the radiator hose had detached. The radiator hose was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 194,460. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Mar 25, 2024 · Engine · CA

I was driving on a windy road and my car started making noise from the engine. The car stalled and would not start again, so I had to get a shop to tow my car. BMW has not fixed my car and it’s been broken for 4 1/2 months.

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Engine · 103,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made a ticking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was shaking and then stalled. The vehicle failed to restart immediately. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency 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 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 but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 22, 2024 · Engine · CA

As I was driving, my car started making a loud clicky noise and then stalled in the middle of the road and I had to call a shop to come and get it into neutral so it could be moved. My car has been broken since November because the engine bolts are unavailable. BMW has taken too long to get this easily fixed.

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · CA

My car started to make a loud clicky sound from under the hood then the car completely stalled and died in the middle of the road and would not restart and had a lot of difficulty moving the car due to not being able to put it in neutral. I have now been without a car since November and BMW has taken way too long to fix this issue.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)Reported October 30, 2017 · 740,561 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 17V683000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported April 10, 2014 · 156,137 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Risk
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 14V176000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2011 BMW 528I stalling

Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2011 BMW 528I?

23 of 118 owner complaints about the 2011 BMW 528I (19%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2012.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 BMW 528I?

There are 2 recalls and 71 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2011 BMW 528I

Check engine light 21Jerking 11Hesitation 7Loss of power 5

All model years of the BMW 528I

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