2016 BMW 528I: engine overheating

Filed Nov 2, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA · fire · 1 injury

My coolant line overheated. From the leaking water pump and pcv that exploded all over my engine causing it to overheat and now how has not turned back on. Ive been without a car for months and when I seen the recall and reached out to the dealer expressing my situation they said they would get back to me and have not called or emailed or even responded in months.

Filed Aug 27, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · AZ

A critical component failure has rendered my 2016 BMW 528xi inoperable and unsafe. The water pump failed, forcing the car into a safety "limp mode," limiting its speed to approximately 40 miles per hour. This issue mirrors the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑608 regarding an electrical connector on the water pump that can short circuit, potentially causing a "thermal event or fire." The problem began with dashboard warnings about overheating, despite the coolant reservoir being full. Following these warnings, the vehicle entered "limp mode," posing a significant safety risk in normal traffic. The potential for fire is also a major concern. An independent service center has confirmed the water pump and its electrical connector as the point of failure. The failed component is available for inspection by a the federal safety agency investigator. I contacted BMW's customer relations line and was informed that no remedy is currently available. I must wait for an official letter before any action can be taken, including reimbursement. The representative did not provide a case number, making it impossible to track my complaint. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, or an insurance representative. I am unable to transfer the title because the car cannot pass a safety inspection in its current state. I am in a severe catch-22: I must receive a recall letter for a vehicle that I am unable to finalize ownership of. This failure to assist an owner with a known safety recall has left me stranded with a dangerous, undrivable vehicle.

Filed Aug 21, 2025 · Engine · FL

Multiple critical BMW engine components are manufactured from plastic, including the oil pan, coolant expansion tank, valve cover, and turbo inlet pipe. These parts are prone to premature failure from normal heat & stress, as confirmed by independent mechanics. Failures can cause sudden loss of oil or coolant, persistent oil leaks, overheating, loss of power, and roadside breakdowns. The use of plastic for an oil pan is concerning. Plastic cannot withstand impacts with common road hazards such as tire fragments, etc. Striking a retread at highway speed could easily crack the pan, dump all engine oil, and lead to catastrophic engine seizure, endangering people. In my case (2016 BMW 528i), several plastic components have already failed, including the oil pan, turbo inlet pipe, coolant expansion tank, valve cover, and multiple coil packs. While BMW considers coil pack replacement a normal maintenance item, there are widespread complaints of premature failures. Most of the heat-related plastic failures occur above 70,000 miles. Despite several related breakdowns, the previous owner and I avoided dangerous situations. These failures are widely documented by other owners online and by independent mechanics, who often recommend aftermarket aluminum replacements for improved safety and reliability. BMW is aware of these issues but continues to use plastic for critical components--they recently lost a class-action lawsuit related to internal plastic engine parts that caused catastrophic engine damage, showing prior knowledge of the risks. These failures also create environmental hazards, as leaking plastic oil pans & valve covers contaminate roads and driveways. Because repairs are $$$, many consumers delay fixing the problems, increasing both safety and environmental risks. This design prioritizes cost savings over durability and safety. These parts should be made of metal to withstand normal use and protect drivers, passengers, and the public from unnecessary hazards.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CT

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while her son was driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. The contact was adding coolant to the coolant reservoir every other day. The contact stated that the vehicle was smoking and there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle and the engine was overheating. The vehicle was inoperable. The coolant message was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 25, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

My vehicle is a 2016 BMW 528i xDrive. There is an active safety recall listed under the federal safety agency Campaign Number 24V‑608, issued in August 2024. The affected component is the engine coolant pump. As of June 2025, no remedy has been made available by BMW, and I have been told by both BMW corporate and my local dealer that they cannot provide a fix or a timeline. This component is essential to keeping the engine within safe temperature limits. Failure of the coolant pump could lead to overheating and potentially increase the risk of fire, as the recall suggests. This places my safety and that of others on the road at risk every time I drive the vehicle. I rely on this car for regular transportation and feel I have no choice but to drive a vehicle with an unresolved critical safety issue. The vehicle has not yet experienced a failure or warning light specific to the coolant system, and it has not been inspected or repaired due to the lack of remedy. However, I should not be forced to wait indefinitely or risk a dangerous situation developing before action is taken. BMW’s failure to provide a remedy or meaningful updates in nearly a year shows a lack of urgency and accountability. I am submitting this complaint to formally document the issue and ask that the federal safety agency take action to compel BMW to issue a fix or provide alternatives to affected owners.

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I've gotten my car fixed multiple times and nothing has worked. My car is leaking coolant severely it overheats constantly I get the red and the yellow message. My heater is self stopped working and my car on the freeway has stopped from going 75 to 80 miles dropping all the way to 20 miles.

Filed Dec 20, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Do to the water pump recall and the water pump electrical connector on my vehicle, it is no longer in driving condition and has caused engine overheating and damage. I am still paying for a car I cannot drive. I need help

Filed Dec 5, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · CA

The contact's wife owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption. The low coolant warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while his wife was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the driver noticed that there was steamy smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The driver pulled to the side of the road and noticed that fluid was leaking underneath the engine. The vehicle was taken to Sunshine Auto, where the contact's wife was informed that coolant was leaking. The mechanic informed the contact that the turbo needed to be taken out for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Oct 25, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 117,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and allowed the engine to cool down. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure recurred several times while driving; requiring the contact to pull over to the side of the road several times for several minutes. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that he was mechanically inclined and had replaced the thermostat and the coolant temperature sensor. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the water pump's electrical connector had melted, and the water pump was damaged. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System), which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.