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BMW has been hit with another engine defect class action, this time from vehicle owners seeking redress for an alleged engine chain defect.
Eight named plaintiffs from across the country say the N20 and N26 engines in certain models of BMW vehicles have defects that could cause faulty performance and engine failure. The plaintiffs claim BMW has known about these defects for years, yet has neither fixed the problem nor disclosed it to BMW owners and lessees.
The plaintiffs take issue with two specific defects in the engine’s chains. The first defect affects the primary chain, also known as the timing chain, which coordinates the action of the crankshaft, camshafts, and cylinder valves.
According to the plaintiffs, the plastic guide assembly for the primary chain is made of a defective polycarbonate material that becomes brittle and breaks apart, creating debris that lodges in the crankshaft drive sprockets. The debris can cause the primary chain to skip, letting the camshafts and crankshaft fall out of sync and possibly damaging or destroying the engine.
The second defect affects the secondary chain, which connects the oil pump and balance shaft assembly to the crankshaft. The materials in this assembly can’t stand up to high-resistance wear, the plaintiffs say. This defect causes the chain to elongate prematurely, slip, and damage the chain sprocket.
BMW has known about these defects since as early as 2012, when according to the plaintiffs the company redesigned the chain tensioner. Since then, the company has attempted several additional redesigns that did not resolve the problem, according to plaintiffs.
Owners of the affected BMW vehicles have raised the issue in complaints to the company, warranty claims, and negative customer reviews in online forums. Yet the company kept building and selling vehicles with the affected engines without giving dealers or purchasers notice of the defects, the BMW lawsuit states.
In addition to this engine chain class action lawsuit, BMW continues to face another suit over alleged engine defects filed in November 2015.
In that claim, plaintiff David Afzal says the S65 engine in BMW M3 vehicles doesn’t get enough oil to the bearing surfaces of its rotating assembly, putting the engine at risk for catastrophic failure.
Afzal’s claims surpassed a motion for dismissal this past July. U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo determined that Afzal adequately raised claims for fraud and for violations of California consumer protection laws.
In the current engine chain defect class action, the plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide Class that would cover all persons in the U.S. who currently or previously owned or leased a BMW with a N20 or N26 engine affected by the chain defect. Affected vehicles include the BMW E84, E89, F10, F25 and F30 from model years 2012 through 2015.
Plaintiffs also propose seven subclasses covering Class Members from each of the named plaintiffs’ home states of New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, California, Wisconsin, Oregon and New York.
They are asking for a damage award to include statutory and treble damages as available under applicable state laws. They also seek a court order requiring BMW to stop the conduct complained of, to repair vehicles affected by the engine chain defects, and to reimburse Class Members for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in dealing with the defect.
Plaintiffs’ counsel includes attorneys Bruce H. Nagel of Nagel Rice LLP and Joseph Santoli.
The BMW Engine Chain Defects Class Action Lawsuit is Williams, et al. v. BMW of North America LLC, et al., Case No. 2:17-cv-11567, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
UPDATE: On Oct. 30, 2018, a federal judge recently trimmed claims in a consolidated BMW engine defect class action, but ruled that the automaker cannot escape the suit entirely.
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200 thoughts onBMW Class Action Seeks Fix for Engine Chain Defect
My x5 did the same thing as the others in this suit. Is there anything I can do now.
I need the information for the class action lawsuit
I have the same problem! 2013 BMW X3 stalled in traffic; had towed to mechanic. Just got a call that the engine is shot and minimum cost of $10-12 K to replace engine! How do I join the lawsuit? It seems very common.
I’ve replaced the fuel pump 3 times in the past 18 months. Just spent $1100 for new tires and now it’s dead!!
Is this lawsuit still ongoing?
I’m on the same situation 2013 328i, only 60k miles need new engine to the tune of 12k
Our 2013 BMW 328i shut down on the highway in September. We had it towed and the shop said the engine had a hole most likely due to the timing belt. Recognizing that we didn’t have $6000+ to replace the engine, we had it towed home and it has been sitting in our driveway since. Does this lawsuit only apply for reimbursement? In other words, will they pay the mechanic directly after repair or are we only eligible if we pay first? I don’t see any other way to get this resolved because we sure don’t have the funds available.
Thanks for any advice!
I hope this goes thru and helps us owners of the BMW N20 engine powered cars
Is it too late to join this lawsuit? The engine on my 2013 528i xDrive completely blew recently due to a drivetrain malfunction that could never be resolved.
I am having the exact same issues with the drivetrain malfunction. My 2013 BMW 528i is under 100,000 miles and I was told that I need a new engine. I am so upset…. I want to join this lawsuit immediately. This is not right!!!
you automatically are part of the lawsuit if you own the vehicle. I did not sign up to the lawsuit but when i called in they told me so. You must have the engine and year of vehicle listed under lawsuit. I have a 2012 750LIX with 40K miles and having issue with engine. They installed new engine and turbos at no charge. Good luck
I have the same exact issue with my 2012 328i BMW and I’ve only had work done from BMW but now I need an engine. Can I join the law suit?
Who did you call? Did you call BMW and they installed the new engine and turbos at no charge?
I had my 2013 BMW 5 Series towed to BMW the other day. I told them that I do believe that my car qualifies for the lawsuit. I paid $170 for BMW to take a look at my car and was told that YES my 2013 5 Series — N20 qualifies. They offered to put in a new engine for $7,500. When the lawsuit settles in March or April in our favor…. hopefully, BMW will reimburse me the $7,500 that I paid for the new engine. I advise you all to let BMW take a look at your car and ask them if your car fits the criteria for the lawsuit. Good luck!
No its not late ypu need to file the claim
How do we file a claim? Where is the link?
Have 2013 528 I bmw, drive train malfunction light comes on, shortly after the car shuts down in the middle of a busy intersection. Would love to join this class action lawsuit.
I own a 2012 BMW and just had similar experience to the ones mentioned here. First warning light about oil pressure followed by drive-train malfunction and then the engine quit in the highway .my engine stalled out and then I had to get it towed to the dealership. They quoted that to fix the problem will be +$19.000 
I don’t know what to do!!!
I purchased my 2013 x3 San Diego and during the first 6 months I had problem with the engine turbo and oil leakage. It was repaired in Palm Springs ca. Then in 2019, engine light, stalled car in the middle of the highway. Got to dealership I was told I need new spark plugs. Paid 1000 dollars and 3days later the problem repeated itself in the middle of am rush hour in dc area. Went back to dealership . They told me the drive chain was broken and the engine must be replaced. If you don’t get it fixed you can drive this car so your best bet is to buy another car. The car was now worth only $1500, as a trade in. Please contact me about the class action suite.
Can someone send me the link for the lawsuit
I own a 2012 BMW 328i (99,000 mi) and just had similar experience to the ones mentioned here. First warning light about oil pressure followed by drive-train malfunction and then the engine quit, at 60 mph. At a red light, my engine stalled out and then I had to get it towed to the dealership. They quoted that to fix the problem will be +$16,000. And to run proper diagnostics to figure out the full issue would cost me $1700 and they are suggesting that I need to rebuild my engine otherwise my car will be useless.
I think I literally just had the same thing happen to me, but my car only has 65k miles … what did you end up doing?
I have 2013 BMW X3 28i and the car just shutdown on me while I was driving so I had it towed to the mechanic and he told me it’s timing chain and guides just fail.
I bought my x3 with 69k on it. Not owned it 3 months yet and at 73k I’m left with a busted timing chain and no warranty as I’m over the 3000 (which ever comes firs) ugh… I thought I did my research on this model. I had an x6 and regret selling it.