Engine Failure Problems of BMW 5 Series

I had a recent problem with our 525i. I was driving it and it lost power/died. When the vehicle died, I lost power steering and power brakes. The car would not restart and no error lights or messages were displayed on the idrive. I had the car towed home. After the initial check of the vehicle, it showed the crank sensor fault. I noticed a bunch of metal throw off in the oil filter and the vehicle did not have compression in cylinder 2 and 6. I was thinking catastrophic engine failure. Since I am very familiar with american/japanese vehicles, I decided to look into the problem myself after getting no response from Bmwna. The car is out of warranty with 85k miles. The metal throw off was due to the timing chain jumping off of the exhaust cam gear and grinding against the back of it. The cause of the problem was the two aluminum screws under the cam shaft gears. Both heads were broken off and one made its way up the chain getting caught in the chain and gear. These screws are aluminum. I don¿t know if this is a common problem but for the bolts to break it would be due over torqued/tighten bolts or extreme pressure from expanding/contracting of the magnesium vs aluminum. The other broken bolt head is still some where in the bottom of the oil pan. The exhaust cam gear was chewed up, but still serviceable. I re-timed the car and checked the compression. I got lucky and compression is good so no bent valves. I disassemble everything and now I patiently waiting for several parts. However, I'm still dealing with the broken head that is some where in the oil pan. This is a serious manufactures defect and I have retained all of the parts and including the oil.

See all problems of the 2006 BMW 5 Series 🔎.

I took delivery of a new 2011 535i on 7/11/10. The car was built on 6/1/10. On 9/5/10 (odometer reading less than 2000 miles), I was driving on local streets at approximately 30 mph when the car reported an engine malfunction error and the car shutdown. I pushed the gas pedal and there was no response and steering locked up. The car was pushed to the side of the road and then towed to the BMW dealership. Initial analysis from the BMW dealership was that the error recorded (fault stored for valvetronic system. Deviation too great. Frequency 1 logistics 38. ) did not point to a specific component failure. The error did indicate that a certain software level should be loaded in the car, but the BMW dealership said I already had the correct software level loaded. They reloaded the software level anyway. The BMW dealership kept the car for a few days of testing and driving, but could not recreate the problem. After 3 days, the BMW dealership said that they noticed that I actually did not originally have the latest software patch level installed in my car. So, the only fix provided by BMW for my engine malfunction and shutdown was loading a new software patch level (program I level new f010-10-06-512), the previous software level loaded in my car at the plant was program I level plant f010-10-06-511. It should be noted, while the car was at the BMW dealership, they did install the fix for the fuel tank sensor recall (bulletin 121410). But, the fuel tank sensor problem was not related to the engine malfunction problem I experienced, because I had an actual half tank of fuel in the car at the time of my engine failure.

See all problems of the 2011 BMW 5 Series 🔎.

Intermittent engine shut-down. Engine shuts off while vehicle is in motion at any speed. "engine failsafe" warning light comes on. Vehicle must be stopped, key turned off and re-started. This is a serious safety issue that BMW is aware of and has issued a related TSB. $2000 plus repair bill for a new "engine wiring harness". BMW should be recalling these vehicles.

See all problems of the 2003 BMW 5 Series 🔎.

2008 BMW 535xi- engine failures and reduced power at high speeds- very dangerous.

See all problems of the 2008 BMW 5 Series 🔎.

Engine failed without warning at highway speed.