# 2016 BMW 528I — STRUCTURE:BODY
> NHTSA complaint `2170218` · 2026-01-27 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** BMW
- **Model:** 528I
- **Year:** 2016
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** STRUCTURE:BODY
- **Speed:** 30 mph
## Narrative
On January 29, 2020, while driving my 2016 BMW 5 Series under normal operating conditions, the engine compartment caught fire without warning. Smoke and flames originated from the engine bay while the vehicle was in motion. I was forced to pull over and exit the vehicle immediately. The fire spread rapidly, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. At the time, both my insurance carrier and BMW representatives inspected the vehicle, but no definitive cause was identified. In January 2026, I received notification that this same vehicle is subject to BMW Safety Recall Campaign No. 24V-608, which states that liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation system can drip onto the water pump electrical connector, potentially causing a short circuit and, in rare cases, an engine fire. This recall describes the same failure event that destroyed my vehicle, which occurred before any recall remedy was available.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*