What 64 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 535i

BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a "Customer Care Package," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported by multiple owners and noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under ID Number 11016414. A primary cause of the issue is accelerated timing chain wear. The N63 engine's design features timing chains that are prone to stretching prematurely. This stretching can disrupt the precise timing of the engine's valves, leading to a cascade of problems. As a consequence, owners have reported a variety of symptoms, including the illumination of the "drivetrain malfunction" warning light, noticeable engine noise, excessive vibration, and potentially catastrophic engine failure. The "drivetrain malfunction" message, in particular, is a frequently cited indicator of this underlying powertrain problem. To address these widely reported issues, the N63 Customer Care Package was implemented. This service bulletin instructs authorized BMW technicians to perform a series of diagnostic tests. The main objective is to detect if the timing chains have stretched beyond acceptable tolerances. If excessive wear is confirmed, the TSB provides a detailed procedure for the necessary repairs. This often involves replacing the timing chains and related components to restore proper engine function. Beyond the core timing chain replacement, the Customer Care Package also includes several proactive and preventative measures. Technicians are instructed to check and potentially replace other components, such as fuel injectors and boost solenoids, which may have been impacted or contributed to the engine's performance issues. Furthermore, the service includes reprogramming the vehicle's software

NHTSA ODI 11696232

While driving heard a loud noise and oil start pouring out the bottom of the car.. After getting my Vehicle looked at BMW dealership informed me that the drive shaft had broken and fell in the engine and caused a hole in the engine and damaging the oil pan also

NHTSA ODI 11465609

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the drivetrain malfunction warning message flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts. The contact had a friend replace the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact then had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective fuel pump. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11442812

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535i. The contact stated that the power train warning message was displayed. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11420906

ENGINE BLEW A YEAR AGO AND I HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED BECAUSE THE ROD BEARINGS BLEW AT 90,000 MILES. REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS FAILED NOT ONCE BUT 2 TIMES. FAILED THE FIRST TIME 11/24/2020 AND AFTER $2200 IN REPAIRS AGAIN ON 01/23/2021. NEVERMIND ALSO HAVING BOTH FROM CV AXLES REPLACED AS WELL. BUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE I HAVE BEEN SEEING ON A LOT OF BMW'S.

NHTSA ODI 11389810

DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY CAUSED BY VALVETRONIC MOTOR AND ECCENTRIC SHAFT. AT 50K MILES

NHTSA ODI 11269570

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11203216

WAS DRIVING SUDDENDLY CAR LOST SPEED TO 20MPH RPMS REVED UP TO 4000. WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER HAD TO PULL OVER THE CAR PUT ITSELF IN NEUTRAL THEN TURNED ITSELF OFF FEW MINUTES LATER WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND RESUME DRIVING .. IT WA A CITY STREET CLEAR WEATHER HE POWER TRAIN MALFUNCTION WASINDICATED ON THE SCREEN VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON CITY STREETS PLUS INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS THROUGH ATLANTA.

NHTSA ODI 11186943

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 5-SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V020000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, BMW OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE ORDERED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V020000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, VIN TOOL CONFIRMS REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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 AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10993684

VEHICLE HAS ISSUES IN LINE WITH THE RECALL THAT HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR SOME VIN NUMBERS UNDER RECALL NUMBER #16V746000. VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SHAKING UNDER ACCELERATION, SPUTTERING, FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND, MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ITEMS NOTED UNDER THE RECALL FIXED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE VEHICLE OWNER. CURRENTLY THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED, AS HAS THE BATTERY WITHOUT MAKING ANY CHANGE ON THE VEHICLES PERFORMANCE. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALERS HANDS (FOR THE LAST MONTH) WITH BMWNA CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE SERVICE RECORDS TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED ISSUES WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, ACCELERATING, AND DAILY DDRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 10958015

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY UPHILL, ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED, NO POWER, GOT A MESSAGE "DRIVE-TRAIN MALFUNCTION, NO MAXIMUM OUTPUT, DRIVE MODERATELY". I WAS SURROUNDED BY CARS/SEMI TRUCKS, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MANAGED TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULD. COULD NOT RESTART CAR, GOT A MESSAGE "AUTOMATIC START/STOP DEACTIVATED: ENGINE WILL NOT START AUTOMATICALLY. PRESS THE START/STOP BUTTON TO START THE ENGINE." ABOUT 30 MINS AFTER ENGINE STALLED, I FINALLY RESTARTED THE CAR. CONTINUED TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES @ 60-65 MPH. AT A LOCAL STREET, AS I SLOWED DOWN TO APPROACH A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ENGINE STALLED AGAIN, NO POWER, CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD, GOT THE TWO SAME MESSAGES, COULD NOT START CAR. ABOUT 30 MINS AFTER ENGINE STALLED, I FINALLY STARTED THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10895472

MY CAR HAVE ABOUT 1/2 SECOND DELAY FROM THE TIME YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR RESPONDS, SO YOU PUSH HARDER, BECAUSE (I GUESS) IS TURBO THE KICK IN IS VERY STRONG, ALMOST HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT LEAST TWICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10510846

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550IX EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE P245/40/R19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AN ALERT ON HIS DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED INSTRUCTING HIM THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN MORE THAN 50 MILES AS THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT. THIRTY MILES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD DEVELOPED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO SHRED. THE VEHICLE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED 12/14/12 *BF THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH MICHELIN TIRES. THE CONSUMER STATED TWO OF THE ORIGINAL FOUR TIRES DEVELOPED BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTIONED. THE VIDEO SCREEN FLASHED A MESSAGE INSTRUCTING THE CONSUMER TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. IN THE PROCESS, THE VEHICLE LOST A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF POWER OUTPUT AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVEN OVER 30 MPH. UPDATED 07/09/13

NHTSA ODI 10482194