The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000(Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road,…
2013 BMW 528i engine problems
moderate 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 34 engine complaints filed for the 2013 BMW 528i, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 47% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 34 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the engine overheated and there was white smoke coming from…
I was driving my vehicle on the highway and a drive train malfunction indicator was displayed on the screen. The car immediately lost all power and I was forced to pull over on the side of the road. I towed my vehicle to the closest certified repair shop. After the repair ran their diagnostic test, they informed me that I needed a new engine because it had seized. They also quoted me at $9,900…
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. While driving approximately 55 MPH, a pungent odor was perceived in the vehicle. Approximately twenty seconds later, the transmission kicked out of gear and the parking brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle lost power and shut down. The contact was alerted by another driver that the vehicle was on fire. The contact opened the hood and flames shot…
The electrical connector of the engine coolanta pump could become damaged. Small drops of liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could drip down onto the electrical connector of the pump.
I was driving my 2013 BMW 528i in april 2019 with ~65k miles at the time. The drive train malfunction indicator came on and the car was driving sluggish. Per bmws request I drove it to BMW service center. Fault codes f133b04 and f133e10. They performed calibration, tested and sent me on my way and no more warning displayed. June 2020 low oil pressure indicator came on. I took it in for service…
Drivetrain malfunction error message appeared and car went into limp mode. Replaced air pump to control engine vacuum, made car driveable, cost $1200. Did not stop drivetrain malfunction error message from coming on. Took car in for routine service and had them look at the issue. Timing chain is about to go out. Car is not running properly, and there is no way to know when the timing chain will…
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate while it…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and the "drive train malfunction" and "drive slowly" warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and later towed to open road BMW (732-201-6579, located at 731 us-1, edison, nj 08817) where it was diagnosed that the drive train needed to be replaced. The dealer…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 BMW 528i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 BMW 528i?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 34 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 30 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 83,000 and 119,000 miles, with the median around 107,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 83,000; a quarter make it past 119,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/BMW/528i.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.