2009 BMW 528I Recalls & Complaints

Incident: September 4, 2026 · Filed: September 27, 2026

CRITICAL SAFETY REPORT: DRIVING FIRE / INJURY / FAILED RECALL REMEDY (CAMPAIGN 12V-126)While driving, my 2009 BMW E60 suffered an immediate, catastrophic electrical fire originating at the positive battery terminal bulkhead connector in the trunk floor. This exact component is the subject of federal safety mandate NHTSA Recall Campaign 12V-126.The fire occurred with zero warning on a public roadway, forcing an emergency roadside stop directly in front of a local preschool, creating an imminent public safety crisis. In an attempt to suppress the fire and pull the burning battery away from the school zone, I sustained a physical burn injury to my finger (medical documentation available).The vehicle's positive battery terminal melted completely INWARDS, and the heavy-gauge copper wiring and surrounding trunk body panels suffered extreme structural thermal destruction. This specific physical evidence proves a catastrophic localized electrical arc occurred right at the vehicle's structural bulkhead connector due to high electrical resistance—the exact engineering failure mode detailed in Recall 12V-126. This proves the 2012 dealership recall remedy has degraded and failed over time, creating a recurring, life-threatening fire hazard.BMW of North America Executive Customer Care and their National Engineering Group have officially denied liability in writing. BMW NA is attempting to blame a standard, factory-specification aftermarket battery and alleged trunk moisture to absolve themselves of a failed federal safety component.This complaint is formally filed to request that the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) launch a Recall Query (RQ) into the long-term efficacy and degradation of the 12V-126 remedy, as manufacturers cannot legally use aftermarket part exceptions to mask failed safety recall components that result in driving fires and consumer injuries.BMW Corporate Case Reference: 11125880.

Incident: May 12, 2025 · Filed: May 12, 2025

Vehicle fail breaks malfunction. No response to the brakes. Push many times no break response vehicle hit vehicle in front of it could not be avoided That rotors are less than one year old there about six or 7000 miles on them. They are basically new new tires car will maintain no lights on dash no warning no airbag deployment. Vehicle going in slow speed due to heavy traffic

Incident: March 1, 2022 · Filed: October 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 stated that he started to smell a burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

Incident: July 9, 2022 · Filed: September 27, 2022

I was driving and something was burning under my hood

Incident: June 16, 2021 · Filed: July 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 528I. The contact stated while turning on the heater, there was a bad odor coming from the heater. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts are not available

Incident: July 18, 2022 · Filed: July 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Incident: May 31, 2022 · Filed: June 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would overheat. An unknown warning light was illuminated and a warning message that the vehicle was overheating and to slow down and stop the vehicle to prevent further damage was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was 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 failure mileage was approximately 172,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Incident: October 1, 2021 · Filed: May 2, 2022

I took the 2009 BMW 528i to Bridgeport BMW to have a prior safety recall (17V-673/19V-273) repaired but, it wasn't fixed and my car caught on fire last year before I got another recall letter stating that there's no remedy for the Recall Campaign No. 22V-119: PCV Valve Heater.

Incident: February 17, 2022 · Filed: March 14, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were 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 stated the vehicle was overheating and unsafe to drive. The contact was advised to seek a loaner vehicle while waiting for parts to become available. The approximate failure mileage was 205,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Incident: February 1, 2019 · Filed: December 8, 2020

FUEL SMELL IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR. THE FUEL PUMP LEAKS FUEL.