2013 BMW 528XI Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2013 BMW 528i and 528xi most often describe the engine losing power or stalling while driving, frequently with a Drivetrain Malfunction message, and the reports often point to timing chain or oil pump problems. Where mileage is given, most of these reports fall between about 70,000 and 100,000 miles, and the stalls often happen at highway speeds. Other reports describe headlight condensation and light failures, and delays in getting recall repair parts.

1. 1
   Engine

   Stalls and power loss with Drivetrain Malfunction alert

   • 36 complaints (64%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the engine losing power or shutting off while driving, often at highway speeds or while slowing. Reports often mention a Drivetrain Malfunction message, sometimes after a low oil pressure warning, and some cars would not restart or could not be shifted out of park. Some complaints say there was no warning before the stall. Complaints often describe towing the car to a dealer or independent shop, where engine damage was sometimes found. Where mileage is given, most reports fall between about 70,000 and 100,000 miles, and some are at higher mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether the car has ever shown a Drivetrain Malfunction or low oil pressure message, and have stored fault codes read with a scan tool during a pre-purchase inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A catastrophic problem occurred with my Bmw, a 2013 528i model, while I was driving on a busy expressway. A warning message indicated the oil pressure was low. As I attempted to navigate to the shoulder, another message stated there was a drive-train malfunction. The car proceeded to decelerate,.shut down and the engine completely fail.”

   NHTSA complaint #11308564, filed 2020-02, 91,000 miles

   “My car stopped running while I was on the road (crossing over rt 29 in malvern, pa). A message on the screen in my car said drivetrain malfunction. After the mechanic looked at it he said the timing chain broke and the whole engine needs to be replaced. This car doesn't even have 100k miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11322933, filed 2020-05, 70,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Timing chain or oil pump failure with engine damage

   • 27 complaints (48%)
   • median 80,400 mi at 7.3 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe timing chain guides or chain assemblies that stretched, broke, or jumped out of position, and in some cases an oil pump failure that led to engine seizure or damage. Owners say the engine then lost power or stalled, and engine replacement is the repair the complaints most often mention. Some owners say the problem came back after a repair. Where mileage is given, most of these reports fall between about 70,000 and 100,000 miles, with some reports at higher mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether the timing chain, its guides, or the oil pump have been inspected or replaced, and request the service records. A pre-purchase inspection can check the oil condition and look for stored fault codes or past warning messages.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11365248, filed 2020-10, 87,750 miles

   “Bought used 2013 Bmw 528i xdrive 0n 4/2018 with over 94k mikes. Car in great condition and always serviced. At 123k miles, warning signals came on ( oil pressure low, drive train malfunction, stop immediately and tow to dealer ). Was driving about 30 MPH on street in neighborhood and pulled over and as I coasted to stop, the engine shut off prior to my stopping. Wheels locked upon stop. Towed to repair shop. Timing chain jumped off track and ruined the engine. No signs leading up to this event. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11308711, filed 2020-02, 1 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Recall repair delayed, parts not yet available

   • 11 complaints (20%)
   • median 87,565 mi at 7.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe receiving a recall notice for engine cooling and electrical system work, but being told the repair parts were not yet available. Complaints say the dealer confirmed the parts were not in stock, and owners felt the wait was too long. A complaint describes a recall repair where the dealer declined to replace the coolant pump, although the owner says the notice covers it, and the water pump later failed. These reports do not list mileage and describe the wait after a recall notice.

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether any recall repairs on the car are still open, and check the VIN with the manufacturer or the NHTSA recall lookup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11685652, filed 2025-09

   “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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”

   NHTSA complaint #11637329, filed 2025-01
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight moisture and light failures

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • typically at 11.2 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners describe water or condensation inside the front headlight housings, which some say led to module failures and reduced night visibility. Complaints also describe adaptive headlight warnings, especially in cold temperatures, and headlights that burn out although the lens covers show no break. Some owners say they replaced headlight parts, and that the other side later developed the same moisture. These reports do not list mileage, and the adaptive headlight warning is described as appearing in cold temperatures until the vehicle warms up.

   What to check: Check both headlight housings for moisture or fogging, and test the adaptive headlight and turn signal functions before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11568146, filed 2024-01

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11505518, filed 2023-02

Buying note. Someone considering a 2013 528i or 528xi may want a pre-purchase inspection that checks the timing chain and oil pump service history, looks for oil pressure or Drivetrain Malfunction messages, and confirms whether any recall repairs are still open. Asking for service records and having the stored fault codes read can help a buyer weigh these reports.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 51 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.