2013 BMW 528I: engine failure

Filed Sep 22, 2021 · Engine · FL

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.

Filed Jul 24, 2020 · Engine · 89,120 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Nov 15, 2019 · Engine · 111,000 miles · FL

I was driving my vehicle on the highway and a drive train malfunction indicator was displayed on the screen. The car immediately lost all power and I was forced to pull over on the side of the road. I towed my vehicle to the closest certified repair shop. After the repair ran their diagnostic test, they informed me that I needed a new engine because it had seized. They also quoted me at $9,900 for a new engine. My car currently has approximately 111,000 miles.

Filed Jul 21, 2019 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

This incident happened on april 19th. Whilst climbing an uphill on a multi lane road, I felt I was losing power, confused and worried, I pushed on the gas pedal harder and harder only to realize I was rapidly slowing down, and the engine had stopped revving! Looking at the dash, the transmission automatically had shifted to neutral and the car was coasting uphill steadily losing speed. Was in the center lane, hit the hazard lamps and tried to change over to the right lane in an attempt to get over to right shoulder for safely. Car in the adjacent lanes parallel to me, not being able to see all flashers going were not friendly at first to let me change and thank god, I somehow forced my way in and jumped over to the shoulder. Enough to say, I and my family in the car were scared of being rear ended or side swiped and would have been in a multi car collision that was all avoided from my quick thinking on my heels and bit of luck on my side. I towed my car to bmw dealer. Dealer found low oil pressure codes, on further debugging found broken timing chain guide, and informed me that engine was damaged from the broken timing chain guide. Only solution now is to switch to a new engine costing approximately $17k. Since I have 120k miles. I leant about my warranty extension for timing chains and oil pump. My request for any assistance under warranty extension has been declined by bmw because the car has 120k miles vs. 70k miles warranty period. While I understand and appreciate that, I am baffled at the fact that, bmw knew this problems and possible engine damage but did not notify the customers of possible sudden loss of power and catastrophic engine failure. If I had know I would have replaced the timing chain at my cost and potentially saved the engine. At least they should have updated the maintenance schedule to inspect the timing chain degradation.

Filed Jul 21, 2019 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

This incident happened on april 19th. Whilst climbing an uphill on a multi lane road, I felt I was losing power, confused and worried, I pushed on the gas pedal harder and harder only to realize I was rapidly slowing down, and the engine had stopped revving! Looking at the dash, the transmission automatically had shifted to neutral and the car was coasting uphill steadily losing speed. Was in the center lane, hit the hazard lamps and tried to change over to the right lane in an attempt to get over to right shoulder for safely. Car in the adjacent lanes parallel to me, not being able to see all flashers going were not friendly at first to let me change and thank god, I somehow forced my way in and jumped over to the shoulder. Enough to say, I and my family in the car were scared of being rear ended or side swiped and would have been in a multi car collision that was all avoided from my quick thinking on my heels and bit of luck on my side. I towed my car to bmw dealer. Dealer found low oil pressure codes, on further debugging found broken timing chain guide, and informed me that engine was damaged from the broken timing chain guide. Only solution now is to switch to a new engine costing approximately $17k. Since I have 120k miles. I leant about my warranty extension for timing chains and oil pump. My request for any assistance under warranty extension has been declined by bmw because the car has 120k miles vs. 70k miles warranty period. While I understand and appreciate that, I am baffled at the fact that, bmw knew this problems and possible engine damage but did not notify the customers of possible sudden loss of power and catastrophic engine failure. If I had know I would have replaced the timing chain at my cost and potentially saved the engine. At least they should have updated the maintenance schedule to inspect the timing chain degradation.

Filed Jun 29, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 110,000 miles · MO

Had 100,000m warranty. Around 110k notice "engine oil pressure" light for first time. Added a bit of oil and light went away. Came on again, took it into dealer. They replaced an oil gasket and another gasket. Light came back on within 5 blocks of dealer. They kept my car for 3 weeks, said engineers at headquarters said I need a new engine. Now, I drive cars until 260k miles and then someone else drives them after me. Needing a new engine at 110k miles is awful. They want to put in a new 'short engine", cam shaft position sensor, cam follower,and turbocharger. I've had my oil changed as often as I should, now tell me, how is this needing all of that my fault?? I still owe 2.5 years on car. This is a landfill problem right here and needs to be corrected by bmw.

Filed May 23, 2019 · Engine · 73,000 miles · NC

I have got the vehicle around december and I only had the car for two days thene I start experiencing problems. I contacted the dealer immediately they told me they had no problems with the car before which is hard to believe. The car purchase was a guy that worked at the dealership. After I started calling for questions the guy ended up disappearing and nobody would help me. They also false advertise the vehicle saying it was a 528 x dr, gave me the incorrect mileage and I was supposed to give me a warranty but I didn't receive any help . So I contacted the bmw dealership got it towed there and they told me I need a new engine. I will be driving in the car would just shut off sometimes then the dashboard tells me drivetrain malfunction. So I had to continuously crank the car and in about 3 to 5 minutes it would start. One day on the way to work I was driving in the whole car just shut off it was saying low oil pressure and drivetrain malfunction try crack the car wouldn't crank . Let it shut for a while one day I sprayed some starting fluid in a air flow sensor it crunk but still has a hard knock and noise it says low or pressure and drivetrain malfunctions.

Filed May 15, 2019 · Engine · 107,000 miles · CA

I was driving my vehicle on the highway and a drive train malfunction indicator showed up, then I lost all power and had to pull on the side of the road. I eventually got it towed to bmw of vista, ca. They told me I needed a new engine because it had locked up. For no apparent reason. I wasn't due for an oil change not was it low on oil. They quoted me at $13,500 for a new engine when seemingly it wasn't me neglecting the vehicle. It seems that bmw should fix something like that if it just happened out of nowhere. My car currently has approximately 107000 miles and has been well taken care of.

Filed Jan 17, 2019 · Engine · 97,000 miles · IL

Last week my almost five year old 528i sedan with 97,000 miles died on a major expressway with almost no warning. The first warning of low oil pressure came on and I called the dealer who said probably because I am due for my 10,000 mile check up and it is a quirk. Four days later the same message came on again while driving a major highway at high speed followed almost immediately with a message of 'drive train malfunction with maximum drivetrain output not available.' I was able to get to an emergency pull off when the car died. The dealer tells me my engine needs to be replaced and said there were shards of metal in my oil thus indicating the engine seized.

Filed Jul 25, 2018 · Engine · 69,518 miles · WA

Car with only 69518 miles on it experienced catastrophic engine failure in moving traffic. Vehicle owner had to navigate car out of moving traffic while trying to turn. Dangerous situation for owner and other drivers on the road. Fortunately this happened on a city street and not the freeway. Car gave "drivetrain malfunction" and "low engine oil pressure error" when it abruptly shut down. Car has n20 engine with known defects. Bmw na has extended the warranty on some of said defects, but dealership refuses to repair under extended warranty until consumer proves the defect. Dealership refuses to do full diagnostic. Consumer is asked to pay $3000 plus to prove defect at dealership. Consumer is offered a $11000 engine replacement as solution.

Filed May 16, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 73,000 miles · FL

The car had 73,000 miles on it. I was driving home from work in stop and go city traffic when suddenly, the engine went into limp mode (as it is designed to do after it detects engine problems) and indicators lit up saying that I needed to pull over as the car was inoperable. I was in the left lane about to merge onto a toll road, but now found myself trying to get the car safety over three lanes of rush hour traffic to a gas station. This I managed to do while the car was making load noises and not providing adequate acceleration. After having it towed to a bmw specialist I was told the engine's timing system was off. I was also told the timing belt fails often with this particular bmw engine. The common cause seems to be a (unknown at least to me) plastic part within that warps from stress and then causes said part to break apart within the engine. I was told after the engine was disassembled that plastic parts were found inside the engine. After replacement of that belt, I'm now told that the engine still has major problems. It now might require a new engine altogether. If after 73,000 miles a bmw needs a new engine, it suggests to me that the federal safety agency should do further research into this major engine problem and issue a recall to make these cars safe.

Filed May 2, 2018 · Engine · 70,155 miles · TX

My bmw 2013 528i m sport failed on the high way heavy traffic shows error message "low oil pressure" stop immediately. Full power not available" "drivetrain malfunction" engine failed to start. Towed to nearby bmw dealer. Dealer technician inspected the timing chain and engine. They concluded that the engine damaged due to timing chain failure. Timing chain failure is a known issue and bmw extended warranty to 7 years /70000 miles. My car has 70150 miles. I submitted a claim with bmw na and they don't want to fix the car. After lots of phone call they agreed 50% of the cost, that is up to 10k. I searched internet and talk to other bmw owners. There are several cases of engine failure due to timing chain issue at 70k miles. Bmw knows this issue but trying to avoid recall. This is very harmful for the bmw car owners. Very dangerous risk. Please help. Class action law suit is the only way to get justice and issue resolution.