Electrical System Problems of BMW 528 - part 1

My 2013 BMW 528i was serviced under recall 24v-608 (coolant pump electrical connector / dme). After the recall was marked complete, the car developed several serious failures: coolant pump / connector (recall item) – the dealer refused to replace the coolant pump even though the recall notice from the government includes both the pump and connector. Shortly after, the water pump failed completely, causing “high temperature” warnings and putting me at risk of sudden overheating and breakdown on the road. Dme (engine control unit) – this was supposedly updated during the recall, but it failed to detect existing problems. Before the recall, I was never warned about issues with the turbo or oil leaks. Immediately after the recall update, the car started misfiring and showing drivetrain malfunction. The recall did not prevent or detect the failures as promised. Valve cover gasket (oil leak) – after the recall, a severe valve cover oil leak appeared, causing lean air/fuel mixture, misfires, and risk of fire. Oil leaking onto engine components is a known safety hazard. The dealer admitted the gasket leak existed but refused to cover it. Turbocharger / wastegate – the dme flagged turbo wastegate actuator problems after the recall. The turbo cannot be ordered separately from the actuator, leading to very expensive repairs. Before the recall update, this issue was not visible, so I believe the recall software either failed to detect earlier or triggered worse conditions. Because of these combined failures, the car became unsafe to drive: misfires caused loss of power, overheating warnings increased risk of sudden engine shutdown, and the oil leak created a fire hazard. An independent mechanic later confirmed the water pump failure and valve cover gasket leak, which I had to repair at my own expense. I believe the recall defect (coolant pump connector / dme) caused or contributed to the damage of the water pump, gasket, and turbocharger. BMW and the dealer refused to rep.

See all problems of the 2013 BMW 528 🔎.

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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-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.

See all problems of the 2016 BMW 528 🔎.

Coolant pump failure engine failure also caused fire in engine bay. Insurance inspector. Pre shop inspection. No light were on prior to explosion.

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the contact became aware of an abnormal burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); 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 issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

See all problems of the 2015 BMW 528 🔎.

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); 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 issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Electrical water pump cause car to catch fire. Car was on fire.

See all problems of the 2014 BMW 528 🔎.

The contact owned a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electrical discharge warning light illuminated and the contact noticed fire coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss. The manufacturer was scheduled to perform an inspection of the vehicle. The contact was taken to the local medical center in a family member's vehicle. The contact sustained second-degree burns to his right ankle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. There was an open recall NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system), however the contact was unaware of the recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 54,283.

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electrical connector on the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 but was unable to confirm when parts would be available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle had experienced coolant failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 approximately 74,860. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); 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 issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Incident description: this complaint concerns both the lack of navigation system support and the unresolved recall status for my 2014 BMW 5 series. 1. Navigation system: BMW no longer supports map or system updates for this vehicle, and no hardware or retrofit upgrade is available. The outdated gps system results in inaccurate directions, missing roads, and potentially unsafe routes. BMW dealerships confirm there are no solutions, creating a long-term safety hazard for owners who rely on navigation systems. 2. Recall incomplete: I have an open recall on this vehicle, but BMW dealerships have only responded with vague statements such as, “it should be coming soon. ” there has been no formal notification, letter, or resolution from BMW. This lack of transparency and urgency in addressing safety recalls is unacceptable. 3. Unethical service tactics: BMW dealerships are often more focused on convincing customers to upgrade their vehicle than resolving legitimate service issues. Staff push expensive services and frame them as “complaints” on invoices—using high-pressure tactics to imply serious mechanical threats unless those services are purchased. This raises concerns about ethics and misrepresentation. This experience is based on NY but all BMW dealership operate same way overpricing and if you tell them a BMW dealership gives you less than what is on their quote, they want them to show it to you , reflecting their unethical manner to overprice everything when it comes to service or selling. Safety concern: the combination of an unsupported navigation system and delayed recall resolution undermines vehicle safety and consumer trust. BMW's conduct demonstrates a disregard for long-term customer support and safety compliance. Resolution requested: •require BMW to provide retrofit or updated navigation options. •enforce clear timelines and communication for resolving recalls. •investigate dealership practices that prioritize upselling over safety and truthfulness.

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact was informed that the recall repair had been performed. The contact stated that upon driving off the parking lot at the dealer and coming to a complete stop at the traffic light, the message "drive train malfunction - service to nearest BMW dealer as convenient" was displayed. Additionally, the vehicle was significantly sluggish and failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure could be related to the coolant pump, and the part was not covered under the recall; however, the recall remedy information stated that the dealer would inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and would install a protective shield, free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

See all problems of the 2012 BMW 528 🔎.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to the residence and turned off the vehicle. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon scanning the vehicle with a scanner, the contact retrieved dtc: p0597. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

They lied to me made me buy a bad car and then didn't even give me a license plate of anything they stole my money.

See all problems of the 2010 BMW 528 🔎.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); 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 issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after driving approximately 2 hours or more, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle and entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact would pull over to a safe location and park for approximately an hour before continuing to drive. The failure was persistent and recurred after driving for approximately 2 hours or more. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump. The mechanic replaced the ignition coils twice. The contact stated that one coil was replaced the first time, and the entire four ignition coils were replaced the second time however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer related the failure to the recall; however, the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was inadvertently shaking and there was smoke coming from the engine. The contact was unable to confirm if a warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that the remedy was not available. 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 and informed the contact that a second notice would be mailed when the part was available. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the diagnostic test showed that the fuel rail system was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle repaired; however, several days later, the failure returned while traveling at highway speeds; the drivetrain maintenance message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a defective fuel pump. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, and it was discovered that the vehicle was leaking oil and the valve cover gasket needed to be repaired. The vehicle had received a valve cover gasket repair, but the failure persisted. In addition, the manufacturer was notified about the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that issue was not related to the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms pars not available.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump and plug connector had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

My car is doing exactly as said in the recall that is not available. I'm not driving my BMW due to this problem. Please help.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. 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 not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact noticed a burning odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, a red message that “engine overheating” was displayed and to pull over to prevent engine damage. The contact immediately pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon resuming driving, a yellow message advising to proceed with caution was displayed and the vehicle failed to exceed 15 mph. The contact stated that upon approaching the residence, the initial red message was displayed. The contact drove to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer the following day. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.  VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.