2013 BMW 528XI Power Train Problems

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

Both of my headlights had moisture. I replaced the driverside first because you could literally see water sitting in the headlamp. Then I replaced the passengerside a year later because it was doing the same thing that the driver side started doing. I have not had any accidents nor has there been any damage to the front of the car. It appears that this is a known problem. My adaptive part is still not working, but the headlights are working. I have replaced my timinig chain and I keep getting a drivetrain malfunction warning. I am not getting a real answer as to why this is occuring.

-Drivetrain warning message was displayed, indicated to drive moderately, and moments later car sputtered and ceased to operate. Mechanic inspected and reported the timing chain failed and is to blame. Also, the engine may be impacted due to fraying parts that may have entered engine values over the course of time. Vehicle may be available for inspection for a short period of time (sold car to mechanic for very nominal amount). -My teenage daughter was driving the car when the above occurred and broke down on a busy highway. Thankfully, she avoided a collision. The police were called and the car towed. This could have been extremely harmful to both my daughter and the general public. -An independent mechanic diagnosed the issue and confirmed the issue. -The vehicle was not inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. The manufacturer (BMW) did perform an extensive evaluation and repair of the coolant line approximately two months ago but did not mention this issue. -I believe the drivetrain warning displayed once or twice with a message to drive moderately. On recollection, this was after the visit to fix the coolant issue. -We purchased the car new in 2013, were the only owners, and I expected much more from BMW. We are very upset given the potential harm that could have occurred. Also, I have since read about a class action lawsuit impacting this very same issue and pertaining to our year, make, and model. We were not informed of this lawsuit, nor did we receive a recall notice for the defective timing chains in these models. I took a substantial loss on this vehicle as compared to its FMV had this not occurred.

BMW 528i xdrive purchased new in 2013. Currently has 103k miles. While driving on hi-way at 65 mph, received "low oil pressure" alarm on instrument panel. Pulled on hi-way, engine shut-down. Initial diagnosis by local mechanic is timing chain failure. Have read COUNTLESS blogs about this being a recurring problem with the plastic timing chain degrading, 90% leading to complete engine failure - repair of which far exceeds value of car. Went to BMW dealership which didn't even bother to read the CLASS ACTION reports I presented. They had done some service work a year or so ago with no mention that this is a rather common issue. Said they would repair at my cost and that's all they can do. Ridiculous the lack of OWNERSHIP and responsibility that BMW is taking. Hopefully if enough people report BMW's behavior, an oversight agency will have enough stroke to force BMW to deal with this.

I have a 2013 BMW 528I with 160,299 miles. I bought it 4 months prior to the incident with 145,000-150,000 miles on it. First the beginning of the month, the blower motor from the ac/heating stopped working. This was not covered under the extended service warranty I purchased. Then last that month my girlfriend is driving on the interstate merging onto another interstate when the BMW'S DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND she HAD A LOSS OF POWER. She did everything she was supposed to do. I had the veh towed home. The next day, I went out and it would not even stay running. I then had it towed to the repair shop which was chosen by the dealership I bought the car from. They inspected it and stated that the fuel injectors needed replacing because they were leaking. How was I to know they were leaking. There were no indicators at all prior to the warning light and lost power on the interstate. She could have been badly injured. Warranty stated this was not part of the engine, so they would not cover the repairs. The car is still sitting at the shop 4 months later. it is going to cost over $2000 to repair.

The engine timing chain failed due to faulty plastic guide around the timing chain which gets brittle and brakes in the engine causing catastrophic engine failure. Our safety and the safety of others on the Parkway was put at HIGH RISK because the car goes into some safe mode and puts itself into PARK!! This three lane parkway has no shoulder to pull over on at all! So we were blocking the entire lane during rush hour traffic in NYC!! This problem was confirmed by the BMW dealership where the car is now, and they are fully aware of this issue with certain model BMWs produced between 2012 thru 2015. The vehicle was inspected by BMW Certified Mechanics at their service station. The warning light came on a min before the car shut itself down on this very DANGEROUS stretch of highway!!

While driving with my children, the u-joint on my BMW 528xi failed, causing the driveshaft to break. There was no warning lights or other system indicators. Because the car was moving, the driveshaft continued to spin, smashing the oil and pan and other components in the car. Thankfully I was driving on a side street and not on a Highway, because I would imagine there could have been injury if this occurred at higher speeds. BMW confirmed that the u-joint failed upon inspection. My personal mechanic said that a driveshaft and u-joint is not a maintenance item and that it should not fail if properly designed and manufactured. I have since learned that BMW recalled this exact component on certain other 5 series and X5 models during the same years, but not my model.

DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, CAR IS SHUTTING OFF WHILE IN DRIVE AND VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE IS ONLY AT 66K MILES.

Mileage: 1

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF REST (30MINS-1HR) AND A COUPLE TIMES ON EXTENDED DRIVES(2+ HOURS) CAR STALLS OUT THE FIRST 6 TIMES CAME UP WITH POWER TRAIN AND FUEL MODULE CODES TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND TIMING CHAIN ISSUE APPEARED FIX TILL IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN NO LONGER THROWING CODES

Mileage: 80,400

CAR WAS GIVING THE POWERTRAIN SERVICE MESSAGE, WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD START TO POWER DOWN THE CAR APART OF BUILT IN MECHANISM. TOOK TO BMW DEALERSHIP TO HAVE LOOKED AT. THEY CAME BACK TO ME AND INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN LINKS WERE FOLDING OVER ON ITSELF, AND THE CHAIN WAS CONFIRMED TO HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY. TIMING CHAIN GUIDES HAVE FAILED, CAUSING EXHAUST CAMSHAFT TO UNSYNC FROM CRANKSHAFT. CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IF VALVES CONTACT PISTON. RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE MOTOR AT COST JUST UNDER $15,000. CAR IS UNDER 7 YEARS OLD WITH 98,000 MILES ON IT. WARRANTY WAS "EXTENDED" TO COVER THIS ISSUE IN 2018 OUT TO 7 YEARS, 70,000 MILES. THIS HAS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT SPRING OF 2020. *TR

Mileage: 97,500

BMW ENGINE N20B20 KNOWN TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. THE CAR IN QUESTION IS 2013 BMW 528I XDRIVE, 4 CYL. TURBO ENGINE, AUTOMATIC, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, SEDAN. I WAS AT WORK AND STARTED DRIVING HOME, GOT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, HIT 65 MPH AND IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED BY THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY THAT THERE IS POWERTRAIN ISSUE AND TO PULL OVER AND CALL SERVICE. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR HOME AND THEN AGAIN TO THE SERVICE SINCE IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD 77130 MILES ON THE CAR AT THE MOMENT. I GOT CALL FROM THE SERVICE THIS MORNING 05/29/2020 WHERE THEY STATED: CAR HAD 3 QUARTS OF OIL INSTEAD OF 5 WHICH CAUSED MECHANICAL DAMAGE AND WEAR. PLASTIC LEAD FOR THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CHAIN IS LOOSE. CAMSHAFT I BELIEVE IS BROKEN. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE FIX IS ENGINE REPLACEMENT $11,000.00. I ASKED IS THERE ANY OTHER SOLUTIONS BESIDE WHOLE ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEY SAID NO EXCEPT FOR GETTING USED ENGINE INSTEAD OF NEW. NOW I HAVE ONE MORE BMW (2007 328I, N52 6 CYL. ENGINE, 6 SPEED MANUAL, REAR WHEEL DRIVE - STILL IN GREAT SHAPE, NEVER LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD 176000 MILES AND COUNTING), I AM ENTHUSIAST, I TAKE GREAT CARE ABOUT MY CARS. ALWAYS FULL SYNTHETIC OIL EVERY 5000 MILES, ALWAYS MANN FILTER(S), ALWAYS BMW SPEC LL-01 FOR US, ALWAYS CASTROL MADE IN BELGIUM. ALL THE PARTS GENUINE, BEST TIRES. WITH ALL THAT CARE I KNOW THE WEAKNESS - OIL THIRSTY ENGINES. THE CAR THAT'S IN PROBLEM GOT IT'S OIL CHECKED THAT MORNING OR DAY BEFORE AND SHOWED UP MAX. THOSE NEW ENGINES HAVE ELECTRICAL OIL READER (NO STICK ANYMORE) SO I HAVE TO RELY ON THAT. I AM HEAVILY DISAPPOINTED IN BMW AND HOW THEY ARE HANDLING THIS ISSUE. THEY SHOULD OFFER REMEDY AND FULL REIMBURSEMENT OR RECALL FOR THIS WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 77,130

A CATASTROPHIC PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH MY BMW, A 2013 528I MODEL, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY. A WARNING MESSAGE INDICATED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW. AS I ATTEMPTED TO NAVIGATE TO THE SHOULDER, ANOTHER MESSAGE STATED THERE WAS A DRIVE-TRAIN MALFUNCTION. THE CAR PROCEEDED TO DECELERATE,.SHUT DOWN AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAIL.

Mileage: 91,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, THE CAR, WITHOUT WARNING, GAVE AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW AND THEN ANOTHER MESSAGE THAT SAID DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. THE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN AND WOULDN'T GO BACK INTO DRIVE. IN TRAFFIC ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER (DANGEROUS), AND GET THE CAR TOWED. THE BELLY PAN HAD TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL SO THE CAR COULD BE TOWED(DANGEROUS TO DO ON A BUSY HIGHWAY). AFTER THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A BMW DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED AND THE REPLACEMENT WAS $18,000! THIS CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AND WAS FULL OF OIL, SO THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE WAS UNLESS THEY TORE IT DOWN. I COMPLAINED TO BMW NORTH AMERICA (CORPORATE) THAT THERE WAS OBVIOUS AN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THEY ONLY CAME BACK WITH GIVING ME THE WARRANTY RATE OF $12,000 AND THEY WOULD PICK UP 15% OF THE COST. THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH ON A VEHICLE THAT COST $$60,000 AND DOES NOT HOLD ITS VALUE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT TOTAL STORY ABOUT THESE CARS. BMW'S WHO HAVE THE N 20 OR N26 ENGINES HAVE A TIMING CHAIN THAT HAVE A SYSTEMATIC DEFECT. MY VEHICLE HAS A N 20 ENGINE. ONCE THESE VEHICLES APPROACH 70,000 - 100,000 MILES, THE TIMING CHAIN WILL BREAK WHICH WILL CAUSE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT HAVE REFUSED TO DO A RECALL TO INSTALL THE REPAIR KIT. THIS IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT KIT, BUT BMW WOULD RATHER COMPROMISE ONE'S SAFETY AND FOR OVER PRICED REPAIRS. INSTEAD, BMW ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE DRIVETRAIN UNIT UP TO 70,000 MILES. HOWEVER, BMW IS AWARE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WILL BREAK AFTER 70,000 MILES. IN THE VEHICLES WITH THESE ENGINES, IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF THE CHAIN WILL BREAK, IT IS A MATTER OF WHEN IT WILL BREAK. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BMW PRODUCT.

Mileage: 98,000

TRANSMISSION TOTAL FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED AROUND AROUND 55,00 OIL CHAIN PUMP & TIMING CHAIN RESULTING IN A TOTAL MOTOR FAILURE AT 72000 CAR HAS BEEN NON OP FOR A YEAR

Mileage: 72,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528XI. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW SEATTLE (1002 AIRPORT WAY S, SEATTLE, WA 98134, (206) 829-5004) WHEN THE FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST SINCE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY ERROR, CAR LOST POWER AS DRIVING AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I HAD TO HAVE FLATBED TOW TRUCK COME AND GET VEHICLE AND TAKE TO DEALERSHIP, THIS PARTICULAR ERROR IS WIDELY REFERENCED BY BMW OWNERS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR, COULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR ACCIDENT HAD I BEEN PULLING INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC, COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW, HAD 50K MI INSPECTION AND CURRENTLY HAS 98K MILES ON IT.

Mileage: 98,000