2013 BMW 528XI

The defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

The risk

The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 13,443 vehicles across all model years covered

towed · 90,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11058346. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 98,000 miles

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, THE CAR, WITHOUT WARNING, GAVE AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW AND THEN ANOTHER MESSAGE THAT SAID DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. THE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN AND WOULDN'T GO BACK INTO DRIVE. IN TRAFFIC ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER (DANGEROUS), AND GET THE CAR TOWED. THE BELLY PAN HAD TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL SO THE CAR COULD BE TOWED(DANGEROUS TO DO ON A BUSY HIGHWAY). AFTER THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A BMW DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED AND THE REPLACEMENT WAS $18,000! THIS CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AND WAS FULL OF OIL, SO THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE WAS …

NHTSA complaint 11244607, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 117,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HAD EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER BMW GALLERY NORWELL LOCATED AT 1040 HINGHAM ST, ROCKLAND, MA 02370 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA complaint 11405634. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed

Driving on highway got Low Oil Pressure light followed by Drivetrain Malfunction. Engine failed, managed to pull over on shoulder because road was deserted. Could have been rear ended or crashed into another vehicle if any cars were on road. Also dangerous to be stranded on the shoulder of a deserted dark highway at night. Towed to BMW Dealer and they diagnosed premature Oil Pump failure causing Timing Chain assembly to break. Said I needed an engine replacement now. This car was inspected by a mechanic who also performed an oil service change just 385 miles prior to this event. Since vehicle has over 100,000 miles, BMW NA is offering no financial assistance at all. Manufacturer placed me …

NHTSA complaint 11442688, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that due to an unrelated failure with the steering column, the vehicle was towed to a dealer for service. The contact stated that the tow truck driver disconnected the battery prior to the vehicle being towed to the dealer. The contact stated that after the recall repair, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the steering column was repaired. The mechanic reconnected the battery, and a message was displayed on the instrument panel. The OBD-II scanner associated the failure with the water pump. The contact …

NHTSA complaint 11759052, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I am submitting this report to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 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 …

NHTSA complaint 11753542, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 117,217 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 BMW 528XI. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the messages "Drivetrain Malfunction - Drive Moderately" and "Contact the Service Center" were displayed. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was purchased; however, the dealer refused to honor the warranty and refused to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. Upon searching the vehicle history report on the State Police website, the contact discovered two mileage discrepancies with the vehicle. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 117,217; however, the website indicated a mileage …

NHTSA complaint 11725807, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11685652, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Both of my headlights had moisture. I replaced the driverside first because you could literally see water sitting in the headlamp. Then I replaced the passengerside a year later because it was doing the same thing that the driver side started doing. I have not had any accidents nor has there been any damage to the front of the car. It appears that this is a known problem. My adaptive part is still not working, but the headlights are working. I have replaced my timinig chain and I keep getting a drivetrain malfunction warning. I am not getting a real answer as to why this is occuring.

NHTSA complaint 11679386. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

the head lights are frequently burn out although there is no break in the light covers. It is unpredictable and unsafe especially because alot of my driving is at night.

NHTSA complaint 11666894. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.