BMW 528XI loss of power problems

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Engine · IL

I am submitting this report to notify the federal safety agency of a safety‑related defect involving the BMW N20/N26 engine timing chain assembly. My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine failure at highway speed due to a timing chain malfunction. This failure occurred without warning and created an immediate safety hazard for my [XXX] son, who was driving at the time. Loss of engine power at speed eliminated the ability to accelerate, maintain speed, or safely maneuver, exposing him and surrounding motorists to significant risk. This issue is not an isolated incident. BMW has issued internal service bulletins acknowledging premature timing chain wear and failure in N20/N26 engines. Independent technicians, consumer forums, and numerous owners have documented identical failures, often occurring well before the expected service life of the timing chain. The nature of the defect—catastrophic engine failure without warning—presents a clear safety concern rather than normal mechanical wear. BMW has declined to provide assistance, stating that “there is nothing we can do,” despite the well‑documented history of this defect and its safety implications. The failure of a known defective component at highway speed is foreseeable, preventable, and materially compromises vehicle safety. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this recurring timing chain defect in BMW N20/N26 engines, including: The frequency of sudden engine failures Whether BMW’s internal documentation reflects awareness of a systemic safety issue Whether the defect warrants a recall or other corrective action to prevent further incidents This failure placed a young driver in a dangerous situation and could easily result in collisions, injuries, or fatalities. I am submitting this report to help ensure that other drivers are not exposed to the same risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

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

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Engine · VA

The timing chain became stretched so that the valve timing with the pistons had been altered so that a valve face almost hit the top of a piston(one more tooth on the intake camshaft gear would have caused an impact between the piston top and a valve face causing the motor to stall and cease operation thereby causing the vehicle to lose power and possibly control). A timing chain should not stretch so as to cause a strike between a valve face and the top of a piston. Either the timing chain was of inferior quality or the automatic tensioner was inadequate to take up the slack as the chain wore.

Filed Dec 7, 2022 · Transmission · NC

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.

Filed Jul 27, 2022 · Engine · CA

With no prior warning or issues my car displayed a drive train error followed by a low pressure error and immediately lost power. The timing chain blew and destroyed the engine.

Filed Jan 21, 2020 · Engine · 74,000 miles · TN

Was driving from memphis to pcb last friday when I lost power in the middle of the highway near birmingham. First the 'oil pressure low' warning light came on, immediately followed by the 'drivetrain' warning light. Pulled over and got towed to the dealer in b'ham, where they told me that the engine was blown and a new engine would be roughly 15-17k. They didn't visually inspect the timing chain...just a hunch by their lead mechanic based on the ticking he heard when attempting to get the engine to start. They offered to do a deeper dive into the issue for an additional $1000, which I declined. I'm having the car towed back to memphis, where I will look into finding a second-hand engine for replacement. I will be tracking the lawsuit. My car (2013 528i xdrive) only had 74k miles, and I owe what they quoted me for a new engine, so that's not a consideration. I have been religious with maintenance, with all work done at the dealer.

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · MD · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 528xi. The contact stated that the vehicle independently shifted into neutral at any rate of speed while the gear was in drive or reverse. In addition, the vehicle lost power. The failures occurred without warning. The dealer (bmw of towson, 700 kenilworth dr, towson, md 21204, (410) 317-2237) was notified, but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact also noticed excessive smoke entering the vehicle through the air vents and thick, white smoke coming from the tailpipe. In addition, the vehicle stalled several times without warning. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the failures. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Feb 20, 2018 · Engine · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw 528xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair for months. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and smoke appeared under the hood into the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle stalled and was towed. Two dealers were contacted: (bmw of charlottesville, 1295 richmond rd, charlottesville, va 22911, (434) 270-8664) and (bmw of sterling, 21710 auto world cir, sterling, va 20166, (571) 434-1944). The manufacturer was contacted to determine when the remedy and part would be supplied to the dealer but the manufacturer was unable to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was not available. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 3, 2018 · Engine · 90,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw 528xi. While driving 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and lost power completely. The vehicle was towed to union park bmw in wilmington, delaware where it was diagnosed that the oil pump failed, which caused the engine to seize. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that there was an extended warranty for the failure, but there was no recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed May 11, 2017 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · MI

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.