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 …
2013 bmw 528xi engine problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. CAR DISPLAYED "LOW OIL PRESSURE" WARNING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" ERROR AND SHUT DOWN ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY UNABLE TO MOVE. DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF A CAR HIT ME AS IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE IN EARLY MORNING HOURS. CAR HAD 88K MILES AND IS ALWAYS DEALER SERVICED AS PER MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. THE …
Engine failure due to faulty timing chain or oil pump while driving
I AM HAVING THE SAME DRIVETRAIN ISSUES THAT OTHER EARLIER MODEL BMW'S BETWEEN 2011 TO 2015 THAT WAS RECALLED. MY OIL PUMP CHAIN MODULE AND TIMING CHAIN MODULE NEEDS REPLACING. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY FOR ABOUT A MONTH OFF AND ON. I STARTED MY CAR AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION APPEARED ON DASH. I'VE DRIVEN CAR FOR 3,000 MILES SINCE PURCHASING AND IT JUST CAME ON.
See attached document for complaint.
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 Cust…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE MESSAGE "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" DISPLAYED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (REEVES BMW TAMPA, 109 EAST FOWLER AVE, TAMPA, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAI…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 bmw 528xi?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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