10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,191 miles

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problem #56

Feb 262023

528

  • miles
The 2013 BMW 528xi had impeccable maintenance up to this catastrophic event. The mileage was just over 80,000 miles at the time of detonation. The four-cylinder N20's plastic timing chain guide experienced catastrophic failure upon placing the car in drive, obstructing the oil pump's ability to lubricate, scorching the cylinders, and destroying the engine. BMW of North America has covertly settled a class action lawsuit regarding this issue (N20 timing chain guide), which caused this incident on my 528xi. However, no public notices were issued to current customers. Additionally, timing chains are a lifetime component; their guides should be as well unless otherwise specified in the manual. BMW of North America either installed inferior components unknowingly that do not meet their strict OEM specifications or engineered a timing chain bomb that they knowingly are aware of and are liable for all damages associated with this engineered nightmare.

- Westport, CT, USA

problem #55

Aug 012022

528

  • miles
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!!

- Long Island City, NY, USA

problem #54

Jun 142022

528

  • miles
Error Codes : 1. E11480 No Message (Alive Counter Safety 0xD7) Receiver Instrument Cluster Transmitter Airbag 2. E11482 Message (Alive Counter Safety 0xD7) Not Current Receiver Instrument Cluster Transmitter Airbag 3. B7F685 Under Voltage. 4. E114DB Instrument Panel: Demand Based Service Message, Message From CBS Subscriber (BBV) Missing 5. E114DC Instrument Panel: Demand Based Service Message, Message From CBS Subscriber (BBH) Missing 6. E11421 Message Demand Based Service Message From CBS User Has Failed DRIVETRAIN MALFUCTION when drive sport mode The Trunk always Open for no Reason when unlock the car.

- Mableton, GA, USA

problem #53

Jan 092022

528

  • miles
Driving as normal, and came to stoplight at intersection of busy highway. Stopped for red light, and call stalled, and couldn't be restarted. Just as the car shut off, I got a Drivetrain Malfunction warning. Had to have a tow company tow vehicle to my BMW dealer 50+ miles away. Being at a busy intersection at night, and not being able to move the car (couldn't get it out of park), it put the driver at risk until assistance arrived because oncoming traffic wasn't prepared for a vehicle in the middle of the road, and not moving (even with 4-way flashers on) and having the driver stand on the roadside would have been just as dangerous. After running diagnostics, dealer stated timing belt snapped and caused engine damage. Cost of repair would be $13,000 which exceeded the value of the car; ended up buying new car with basically no trade-in value on this car and no financial assistance from BMW. Interesting enough, when I took delivery of my new vehicle, my sales person said there were 2 additional vehicles in their repair shop with the same issue.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #52

Nov 162021

528

  • miles
Driving on highway got Low Oil Pressure light followed by Drivetrain Malfunction. Engine failed, managed to pull over on shoulder because road was deserted. Could have been rear ended or crashed into another vehicle if any cars were on road. Also dangerous to be stranded on the shoulder of a deserted dark highway at night. Towed to BMW Dealer and they diagnosed premature Oil Pump failure causing Timing Chain assembly to break. Said I needed an engine replacement now. This car was inspected by a mechanic who also performed an oil service change just 385 miles prior to this event. Since vehicle has over 100,000 miles, BMW NA is offering no financial assistance at all. Manufacturer placed me in an extremely dangerous and possibly fatal situation due to design flaws and defects in materials.

- North Potomac , MD, USA

problem #51

Sep 222021

528

  • miles
My BMW suddenly started making a weird sound. I took it to BMW and they could not tell me exactly what happened. However they told me that a new engine was needed. I contacted headquarters and they referred me back to the local BMW. The Local BMW said that there's no way for them to know what caused the engine problem but they were recommending a new engine. I had no choice but to purchase a new engine, still to this day I have not idea why the engine failed. I strongly believe its something they are failing to admit is wrong with their engine that causes problems.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #50

Mar 222021

528

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528xi. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the engine suddenly failed, causing the vehicle to stall without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had experienced a catastrophic failure and needed to replaced. The local dealer BMW gallery norwell located at 1040 hingham St, rockland, MA 02370 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

- Marshfield, MA, USA

problem #49

Apr 082020

528

  • 71,000 miles
I was driving on the highway twice and the engine failed the same way both times it went from 55mph to 20 begin to jerk prompted me to pull over and stopped about 10 seconds after

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #48

Jan 162021

528

  • 55,000 miles
At least 7 times in the last 3 years I have had a weird engine problem. After park the car for awhile it failed to start with no reason. After one hour of trying to start, engine start as usual. Car have been test by the dealership for a whole week and no codes or fails have been detected. Most of these fails have happend after park the car, a couple of times engine stalls while driving. Very dangerous situation. After been evaluated for the dealership, car has failed twice. Same as always it starts again after trying several times. Lapse between fails is 3 to 4 months apart. Fail happens only on the city so far.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #47

Jan 022021

528

  • 1 miles
Drivetrain malfunction, car is shutting off while in drive and vehicle is not safe to drive. Vehicle is only at 66K miles.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #46

Dec 042020

528

  • 90,000 miles
I currently have a 2013 528I BMW with less 90K miles and less than 8 years old. I was driving the vehicle and all of a sudden I received a drivetrain malfunction that abruptly stopped the car. I got to find out that the engine was completely done. I called BMW to see if there was any recall on that issue, I also found out that many BMW owners have had the same issue and had to get the engine replaced. If I was on the freeway this would have been a major traffic incident accident,

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #45

Nov 052020

528

  • 80,400 miles
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

- Westminster, CO, USA

problem #44

Oct 122020

528

  • 83,000 miles
I was driving my 2013 BMW 528I in April 2019 with ~65K miles at the time. The drive train malfunction indicator came on and the car was driving sluggish. Per bmws request I drove it to BMW service center. Fault codes F133B04 and F133E10. They performed calibration, tested and sent me on my way and no more warning displayed. June 2020 low oil pressure indicator came on. I took it in for service (oil change, cbs) and indicator was no longer displaying. October 2020 low oil pressure and drive train malfunction indicators come on while driving on the street. I was able to drive home, but the car completely stops while parking in the driveway. I had it towed to BMW and it was diagnosed as timing chain and oil pump chain drive, plus faults with the vanos unit (fc 1C0102, 1C2002, 1C0301, 130F11, 130E11, 131401, 130308, 130304, 130108, 131501). To investigate further they want me to pay $3,100+, but that is not fix it. I still owe $8K on the car and now it's requiring a engine work that will possibly exceed what I owe on the car. My car has 83K miles on it and should not be inoperable. The timing chain & oil pump chain drive was known before I purchased the car in 2016, but was not disclosed. All of my service has been done at BMW. BMW serviced my car when the indicator came on in 2019, yet did not go further to fix the issue that they knew existed. BMW needs to do the right thing and fix my car for free. There is no way that the "ultimate driving machine" with 83K miles on it should be landfill bound. Instead of issuing the extended warranty, BMW should have issued a recall due to this being a safety issue. This is a safety issue because the car just stops and locks up - no way to put it in neutral to at least move it so that it is not a hazard. Someone or many people could die if a car does this on the highway. BMW do the right thing.

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #43

Oct 102020

528

  • 87,750 miles
I am having the same drivetrain issues that other earlier model BMW's between 2011 to 2015 that was recalled. My oil pump chain module and timing chain module needs replacing. Vehicle was stationary for about a month off and on. I started my car and drivetrain malfunction appeared on dash. I've driven car for 3,000 miles since purchasing and it just came on.

- Morrow, GA, USA

problem #42

Jun 162020

528

  • 91,000 miles
While driving a message of drivetrain malfunction pops up on the idrive system. Spark plugs have been changed along with regular oil changes. Happens occasionaly then I shut the car off and lock then unlock and restart. Sometimes the message will pop back up and sometimes it does not.

- Arden, NC, USA

problem #41

Mar 092020

528

  • 89,120 miles
Driving along the 8 freeway, driving straight, but slightly uphill, outside san diego, the engine died very suddenly. We coasted to the side of the freeway, and the car would not restart. We had the car towed to BMW of el cajon, where it was determined that the timing chain tensioner had failed, a piece of plastic had plugged the oil pump, and the engine lost time, causing catastrophic engine damage. We were told that the engine will have to be replaced. The car has 89,190 miles on it.

- Prescott Valley, AZ, USA

problem #40

Jun 052020

528

  • 137,800 miles
Iissue with the timing chain which I understand to be a common problem with many BMW's drivetrain malfunction warning light came on and I had a loss of power along with low oil pressure warning light.took the car the a BMW dealership for a diagnostic and the results were the timing chain needed replacement along with cam adjuster solenoids and phasers. Estimated cost almost $5K. Car is currently sitting in my driveway for the past 40 days. My understanding is that this is/has happened to many BMW owners of 2012-2015 cars.

- Danville, CA, USA

problem #39

Mar 012020

528 4-cyl

  • 97,500 miles
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.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #38

Apr 232020

528 4-cyl

  • 77,130 miles
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. 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.

- Blasdell, NY, USA

problem #37

Apr 302020

528

  • 70,000 miles
My car stopped running while I was on the road (crossing over rt 29 in malvern, pa). A message on the screen in my car said drivetrain malfunction. After the mechanic looked at it he said the timing chain broke and the whole engine needs to be replaced. This car doesn't even have 100K miles on it.

- Phoenixville, PA, USA

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