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…
2011 bmw 528i powertrain problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 WH…
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 T…
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 vehi…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 bmw 528i?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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