2012 BMW 528XI: engine failure

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Engine · 119,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle came to a stop and the Automatic START/STOP feature activated; however, the engine failed to restart. The message "Drive Train Malfunction Error" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the timing chain had fractured, causing unknown parts to enter the engine. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Engine · FL

The vehicle suffered a sudden Drivetrain Malfunction and severe engine overheating while driving, resulting in a physically snapped camshaft and extensive iron shaving contamination in the oil pan (catastrophic engine failure).Ten months ago, an authorized dealership performed the official BMW Water Pump Safety Recall (the federal safety agency Campaign 24V608000). The vehicle has an active history of drivetrain malfunction fault codes dating back to January 2024. The failure of the recall remedy to safely maintain the cooling loop directly caused severe thermal stress and lubrication breakdown, leading to the camshaft fracturing. Additionally, this engine was under the VANOS Bolt Safety Recall (the federal safety agency Campaign 23V707000), which covers loosening valvetrain bolts known to break camshafts.This is a direct consequential safety failure resulting from defective recall components, causing sudden engine failure while operating on a public roadway. Vehicle is currently held at Fields BMW awaiting corporate inspection.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Engine · 128,900 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a misfire coming from the engine with the "Drivetrain Malfunction" message displayed. The contact later received a notification for an unknown recall, and a diagnostic test was performed however, no failure was found for the drivetrain. The recall repair was performed. Recently, the contact stated that the vehicle would shut off soon after it was started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic was performed; the diagnostic test discovered that the camshaft sensor was fractured, and metal shavings were found in the oil pan. The vehicle was then diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,900

Filed Apr 4, 2023 · Engine · NH

The engine seized after paying it off I was told the timing chain jumped and hit a valve

Filed Aug 29, 2022 · Engine · KS

While driving my car at about 30 miles per hour the engine suddenly seized up. There was no warning at all. I had it towed to the dealer, Baron BMW in Merriam Kansas. After evaluating the car they determined the engine failed and it was an issue of lack of oil. I had taken the car to this dealer prior to buying the car to make sure there were no problems. After their inspection I went ahead and bought the car. It had 40,528 miles. I had taken it to the same dealer for service for 3 years prior to the engine failure When the engine failed the mileage was 95,444. I talked with the dealer and let them know that I felt BMW should pay for replacement of the engine. They refused to do this so I was stuck with having to pay for another engine. After researching this issue I found out that there numerous issues with the engine and that several people had had the same problem. BMW was aware of this issue and chose not to do a recall as they should have . Instead the went ahead and made the decision to not do the recall and deal with the engine failures when the engines failed . This would be less expensive to do rather than do the recall which they should have done. So what they did was to sell the 528i model and let people drive the cars , knowing that a certain number of cars engines would fail. Since your organization is concerned about safety issues ,shouldn't you have taken some action once you became aware of the engine failure issue I would hope you could consider some kind of fine or whatever against BMW for putting a car out on the road knowing a certain number of engines would fail while people were driving . They were more concerned with profits rather than the safety of the public that would be driving their cars. While you are at it it would be good if you could fine BMW and have them reimburse the owners of these cars in which the engines failed! Thank you for your time and consideration. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Aug 11, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · AZ

in 2020 the engine started malfunctioning at 76,000 miles. I took it into the BMW dealership to get it inspected and they stated that it was a valve issue and charged replacement. After replacement, the engine lit would come on and I called the representative. He stated that it would need time to reset so I continued driving it. Eventually the light did not come on for some time. A year later in 2021 after driving to work the engine started to stall on my way to work on the highway. I since taken it back to BMW stating that it was less than 10,000 miles since the repair and I'm having engine troubles again. After talking to the BMW service representative, they stated that I will need a new engine because it is now blown. The engine only has 84,000 miles on it and I requested root cause analysis on the engine. After reviewing online, I discovered that this engine is mounted on multiple platforms BMW sold and is known to have issues since 2017 and a lawsuit in 2020, the same year I took my car to the BMW dealership for repairs. They neglected to inform me of the issue with the engine when I first took the car in and put my car back on the road with a faulty engine. Gross negligence by BMW.

Filed Jul 20, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 175 miles · DC

My 2012 528xi has 117k miles on it. While I was on a long road trip, driving on I-95 at 1am on a friday night, without any weird engine noises or anything out of the norm, the car displayed a warning message that said "drivetrain malfunction" immediately followed by warning "engine oil pressure low" warning. Within a few seconds, the engine shut off and the car told me to pull over safely. Luckily, there was a nice big shoulder and there was no traffic around, so I was able to safely coast to a stop. Had the car towed 100 miles to an independent mechanic, and he said there was no oil pressure, so there was too much friction due to lack of lubrication, which seized the camshaft and caused jumped timing. I've had a lot of "very unusual" (mechanic's words) issues with this car, of course all out of warranty. And now the engine is completely fried. I can spend another $11k to put a brand new engine in there, but the car itself isn't worth $11k anymore. Lots of other people have the same issue. Hasn't been reported to the federal safety agency but can find it on bmw enthusiast forums (like bimmerfest dot com).

Filed Jun 29, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 75,600 miles · VA

Vehicle messaged me while driving that oil pressure was low. Stopped, and restarted with no issues. Investigated online and discovered that the engine had a well known problem with the timing guides becoming brittle and disintegrating sending parts into the sprockets and the oil sensors. Also chain makes a whining noise if affected. Had the vehicle towed to dealership where the timing chain guides were diagnosed as being the problem. Out of extended warranty (7yr/70k) by one year and 5k miles. Bmw knows of the problem and refuses to voluntarily recall affected vehicles. Could result in catastrophic engine failure at highway speeds and result in a serious accident.

Filed Feb 25, 2020 · Engine · 20 miles · CT

With only 76k miles while driving on highway with no warning drivetrain malfunction comes on car stops. Brought to bmw and was told oil was dark with pieces of shred metal and engine needs to be replace for over $10,000. Was so confused due to having a oil change less then 1 month ago. Now call is sitting because I can't afford to replace engine and still owe money on car which no one will take due to it not driving.

Filed Sep 27, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 105,628 miles · NC

My 2012 bmw 528 xdrive suddenly got a warning low oil pressure follows by drive train malfunction, and slows down-went on neutral and stop in the middle of the road. All that happened within less than a minute. I got it towed to the bmw dealership for a diagnostic and they told me that the timing chain guide has broken apart, timing chain came off, jumped time, starved engine for oil & contaminated engine and will require a whole new engine replace which will cost around $13756.56 +labor+tax my total was $ 16456. I found out I am not alone and this is a known problem with bmw of this make and model. I also called the bmw north america they told me that the extended warranty was only up to 70,000 miles and they can not do anything about it, my car fails at 105k miles. I think bmw must stand behind there product. We can not buy an expensive car like bmw with an engine life is less than 8yrs.

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 104,000 miles · IL

My 528xi was being driven at high speed when engine bucked and seized. Managed while this was happening to get to emergency area. Car died, no neutral/ towed to dealer 12/31/18. Computer showed with no warning low oil pressure followed immediately by drive chain failure. Had to fight to get engine replaced with remanufactured engine and ask for turbo to be replaced. 6/22/19 cr died again would not start, jumped started drove to dealer and dies again. Told need d new battery. 6/30/19 car once again stopped dead on major road, no warning. Now they say I need a new fuel pump.

Filed Jan 22, 2019 · Engine · 98,000 miles · IL

I was stopped at a red light making a left hand turn when the vehicle powered off with a warning of a drive train malfunction. The vehicle did not restart and I was stranded in 10 degree temperature for 2 hours waiting for a tow. I had no warning light prior and am now told I need an entire new engine.