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2011 BMW 528i cruise control problems

moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →

Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600

When does it fail?

Of the 4 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 BMW 528i, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.

0-25k
1 (100%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin B660916 May 2016

"""Collision Warning Failed"" or ""Pedestrian Warning Failed"" CCM Display. While driving, a Check Control Message (CCM) is displayed advising of the following: Front collision warning failed Pedestrian detection failed The following fault code is stored in the KAFAS (Camera-based Driver Assistance System): 0X800AC4 - Camera calibration failed The KAFAS camera is not properly mounted and secured to the mounting bracket on the windshield; And/ or: The mounting bracket glued to the windshield is not installed correctly. The pictures below show both incorrect and correct installation. This picture shows the KAFAS camera installed in the bracket. Notice the spacing highlighted by the ""green lin

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 120915 Jan 2015

"SUBJECT N55: Slight Surging at Constant Speeds when Accelerating Very Lightly. The vehicle shudders or surges slightly while driving at constant speeds and applying the accelerator very lightly. This symptom is most easily reproduced under light loads when the current fuel consumption is approximately 3448 miles per gallon. The current fuel consumption can selected and monitored in the instrument cluster while driving (the ""fuel consumption, current"" option is set to active in the settings menu). No relevant fault will be stored in the DME memory. DME software; the fuel injection rate under these conditions is too close to the minimum calculated threshold."

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 122112 Dec 2012

"N51, N52K and N52T: Idle Fluctuation During Engine Warm-up Phase. After a cold engine start, the idle speed may be unstable or start fluctuating up and down slightly while the vehicle is stopped. On vehicles with automatic transmissions, roughness or shuddering may be felt during this warm-up period when diving away slowly in ""D"" or in ""R"" without depressing the accelerator pedal. No relevant errors are stored in the DME fault code memory, and these symptoms are no longer present once the engine is at operating temperature (> 90C). Unfavorable DME software"

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 1 most recent

cruise control · 3,000 mi · filed 11/07/2011

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 5 series. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact approached a stop sign and depressed the brake pedal when the vehicle suddenly accelerated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician advised that the failure occurred due to driver error. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken back to the…

Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 BMW 528i? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2011 BMW 528i?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?

Based on the 4 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 25,333 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to cruise control?

No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/BMW/528i. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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