BMW 528xi Complaints

158 consumer complaints on file.

#11630637December 13, 2024
POWER TRAIN, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My BMW started leaking fluid 4 months ago. Lights on dash came on one light was the triangle light which engine light. I had it serviced completely oil & filter change hooked up to machine that checks all components senors everything checked out great. One week later I was driving I was coming to a stop my brakes sounded like they were grinding next day had mechanic check the brakes all good. Next day I am pulling out of Attorney Parking lot as I am turning the steering wheel my BMW makes a load screaming cracking noise so I turn my steering wheel up right to drive straight it makes the same noise. I stop to look around my vehicle to see if anything is leaking or dragging nothing was dragging but maybe one or drops of something I touched the solution to feel if it was water or oil? It felt oily so I drove to my mechanic he lifted it up on the racks. We both could see some solution was leaking around possibly where engine oil plug is then we saw it had been leaking back to middle of my vehicle water area and running back to the middle of my vehicle. My mechanic decided to put the machine that checks for certain items on vehicles I know it checks my sensors not sure what else?? He and a couple of the other mechanic stop and help him. I left my vehicle he let me drive his vehicle home he wanted to check other issue tomorrow. Next day I got to the mechanic he said he knew it needed a transfer case and 4 sensors he said it would take time to buy a new transfer case for 2012 BMW 528I xl so to leave my vehicle with him.Then I get this letter today 12/13/24 from BMW DATED 10/2024 it states there defect which relates to motor vehicle safety issue which means a part is being recalled on my vehicle!! My question my vehicle has already gotten damaged by this recall I am trying to fix the problems plus paid already $1500. For repairs to my mechanic whom thought that fix my issue but has not. Please inform me as to what I the owner of this model vehicle that has a defective part
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629583December 9, 2024
AIR BAGS
passenger restraint system malfunction warning, many owners have compalined about this, bmw has not issued any recalls but this seams to be a common issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609774August 20, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603174July 18, 2024
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag malfunction warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no recall related to the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11601563July 12, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be restarted and was towed to a local dealer. The local dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a failure with the timing chain. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with an unknown Customer Satisfaction Program; however, the contact had not received the notification letter. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11570740February 8, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Adaptive lights and turn signal failure. There seems to be a widespread issue with BMWs across all makes and models. The failure of the turn signal creates a safety hazard in that the car is unable to properly signal a change of lanes or turn at stop signs or stop lights. BMW is aware of this defect but has failed to act.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568146January 27, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The vehicle has had no accidents or front impacts but has extensive moisture/condensation build up in both front headlamp housings. I intermittently receive a "adaptive headlight failure "warning in cold temperatures until the vehicle warms up. Night driving visibility is being affected as a result of the lens being covered with said moisture/condensation. I see many 5 series vehicles with the same problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559088December 8, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Issue with water penetration into adaptive headlights (sealed system) while driving lights can shut off and signals are disabled. Potential major safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552732October 30, 2023
ENGINE
Engine failure due to faulty timing chain or oil pump while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11542241September 2, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
BMW 528i xdrive purchased new in 2013. Currently has 103k miles. While driving on hi-way at 65 mph, received "low oil pressure" alarm on instrument panel. Pulled on hi-way, engine shut-down. Initial diagnosis by local mechanic is timing chain failure. Have read COUNTLESS blogs about this being a recurring problem with the plastic timing chain degrading, 90% leading to complete engine failure - repair of which far exceeds value of car. Went to BMW dealership which didn't even bother to read the CLASS ACTION reports I presented. They had done some service work a year or so ago with no mention that this is a rather common issue. Said they would repair at my cost and that's all they can do. Ridiculous the lack of OWNERSHIP and responsibility that BMW is taking. Hopefully if enough people report BMW's behavior, an oversight agency will have enough stroke to force BMW to deal with this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540095August 22, 2023
ENGINE
Car gave a Drivetrain Malfunction error and I was able to get the car to the mechanic I've used on the car since it was purchased. I was informed this week that there is now debris in the oil from the timing chain.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522108May 15, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The headrest deployed while parked in the dealer ship and was subsequently replaced. The vehicle was parked and not running
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517294April 16, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Adaptive headlight, turn signals, daytime/parking lamp and headlamp vehicle aim malfunctions. it is available for inspection. Hand signals are required due to the front signals inoperability. It is reason to be aware certain enviromental conditions can prevent hands signals and or other to see the signals. an inability to signal as vehicles are mandated to provide, potentially can be a dire situation for all involved. The actual subject company confirmed the issue upon inspection. Along with two independent mechanic shops. Inspected by manufacturer. There were not any pre-warning alerts. The notifications presented themselves upon the onset of malfunctions. At that point the damage was already embedded. My research uncovered BMW has allowed the defect to exist for over 10 years conservatively. Repairs can cost the BMW owner between $5000 to $10,000. I have not been able to find another manufacture's vehicle with the same issue. Therefore, this is malfeasance on the part of BMW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515468April 4, 2023
ENGINE
The engine seized after paying it off I was told the timing chain jumped and hit a valve
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11511818March 14, 2023
ENGINE
On March 24, 2022 I bought a 2008 BMW 528XI vehicle from Mercedes WESTWOOD, MA. UNFORTUNATELY, this car is not drivable because it needs a new transmission. It hasn't even been a year yet. The check engine light came on after the second day of purchase . Now I needed a new engine. Mercedes of WESTWOOD MA sold me faulty car (LEMON).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510806March 8, 2023
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506277February 8, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Adaptive headlamp failure including daytime lamp failure from loose headlamp seal that allowed water to infiltrate system. The lights go off at anytime while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11505518February 4, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Something isn’t right with how water travels to and gets into the Front Headlights of these cars weaking the seals and damaging the multiple modules of these headlights my front passenger headlight out of nowhere started forming condensation in the headlight which shorted almost every module in there it barely works now. I have a coworker with with same exact model and year as mines and he said he just had to have his replaced too. My repair guy says he replaces 2 a week on BMW’s at his shop. Something is defective either with the actual headlights or seals or with how the vehicle is designed to allow water to flow down straight to the headlights through the slits in the hood of the car. Now my car will not pass inspection until I pay $4k to replace the headlight. BMW needs to recall these headlights or fix the trajectory issue or the seal or something I should not be responsible for this cost entirely. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503681January 25, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,197.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496388December 7, 2022
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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