car engine timing chain guides are faulty and there have been lawsuits that were settled and no recall on the actual part with drivers still having issues with the N20 engine now getting quotes for over $15,000. is this not an incident where it’s not the fault of a driver but manufacturing? This needs to become a recall for all N20 engine timing chain and guides as the faulty part is causing complete engine failure. seems very deceptive when a BMW only last 100,000 miles.
BMW 528I engine failure problems
39 of the 833 owner complaints about the BMW 528I describe engine failure, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 39
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical repair cost reported
- $13,895
- typical mileage
- 97,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 8Loss of power 6Check engine light 5Won't start 2Steering lock-up 2Fire or smoke 2Warning lights 1Won't shift 1
What owners say
Coolant pump failure engine failure also caused fire in engine bay. Insurance inspector. Pre shop inspection. No light were on prior to explosion.
The car shut down by itself while driving. It went from 30 miles/hour to complete stop in 20 feet. I could not put the car in neutral. Any attempts to restart the engine caused smoke to come out of the hood. I had the car towed to the dealer/service. Service told me the engine had seized and they will have to replace the engine which would cost me $26, 000.
While on [XXX] the car suddenly shows low engine oil. The car was driving from Fremont, CA to Los Angeles on Friday [XXX]. Then, coming back to Fremont, CA from LA on Sat. [XXX] It happened after [XXX] to [XXX] , warning light showed low engine oil. Stopped the car at safe place. Then, contacted the insurance to tow the car as well as my son to bring engine oil. After filled engine oil, then, warning light showed low coolant. Filled 3 gallons of water, but sooner later need to fill coolant again due to disappear. The car has been serviced by BMW Fremont, CA on Nov 30, 2024 with 87751 odometer. At the time of engine break down, odometer is about ~91,500 miles. Less than 4,000 miles driving, engine oil is gone somewhere. Based on initial assessment by mechanic, it needs to replace the engine. The car will be towed on June 19, 25 to the shop to repair. It is serious issues of safety and need your attention. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I had just purchased a car but a month ago I was driving to lunch and I was at a stop sign when the light turned green I started to go the car started shaking and smoke was coming out of the front under the hood I had just an oil change so I took it back to the oil change shop. They could not figure out why the engine blew and I had to take it to a different BMW shop where I have to purchase a rebuilt motor and pay for the repairs. I can request all records from the automotive shop if needed.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle. After several attempts, the vehicle failed to start. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's office. An independent mechanic arrived and diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving 50-60 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and out of the exhaust pipes. The coolant temperature warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle sputtered and stalled. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump had failed, causing several damages to the vehicle, including engine failure. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the cost. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated the vehicle eventually started. In addition, the contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the parts were not available. In addition, the contact stated that previously the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed coolant pump and unknown sensor. The contact was informed that the coolant pump and the unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The unknown sensor was replaced, however the contact was informed that the coolant pump was unavailable. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was offered to have the vehicle towed to the dealer, however the parts were not available. The failure mileage was 111,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I brought the car into BMW Manhattan after receiving the recall letter. They have refused to perfom the correction based on the fact that I had to replace the engine dues to a engine defect that cracked the number 6 cylinder in the original engine. I am confident BMW has the abilty to check the engine number and see that it requires the recall. They only stated it wasnt the original engine so they did not perform the work required by ther recall.
Again I write about 2011 bmw 528i, the vanos bolts were recalled and when bmw was fixing them they showed a video , there was belt and metal pieces in the engine oil. Whoever had this car before me did fix the belt and other issues but they said they didn't take off the bottom of the engine pan for the oil to get out .. the vanos bolt recall when I looked it up was June 1st . I had bmw fix the missing bolts 🔩 June 7th it had to be towed there and back to my house. They said they made a decision that it did not happen because of the recall . Which it stated in the recall paperwork that it can affect the engine and to not drive it ! So as of today I have a bmw that was recalled and I do believe other recalls on this car as well had everything to do with me not having a car now because the engine misfiring and stalls and brake light and sensors are all no good. Does not add up . They refused to give a new engine because the car is worth way less than a new engine.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V683000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
- Risk
- If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 14V176000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW 528I engine failure
Which BMW 528I years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (15 complaints), 2013 (13 complaints) and 2011 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the BMW 528I?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $13,895 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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