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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
I just had the same issue happen on my 2013 BMW 528i, I am only at 86000km which is roughly 53,000 miles. This is crazy that BMW has this defect and has not let it’s customers know, no matter how well you maintain your vehicle there is no real way to overcome this issue
I have the same issue, I have 528xi, 2013, and at 88k miles, the timing chaing needs to be replaced! BMW is telling me will give me 50% of the repairs, which ciosts $7400.
This is absurd! And I can’t believe as to how many of this model and owners have had the same issue between 72k-90k miles! This is BMW’s responsibility! You pay $65k for a car, and 5 yrs later this happens!
This is a shame and the government should really look into this! Almost a scheme.
I just bought a 2013 BMW 328i x-drive F30/N26 with 68,000 miles, there was a recall about a turbo oil supply line that I scheduled to go in and get taken care of, during the inspection @ now 76,000 miles, they said I need a timing chain and wanted some $4500 to fix, I declined until I found out more info and they had a warranty up to 70,000 (changed due to the timing chain) but I was not noticed, I called BMW NA and they would not help in any way, except say that if it was repaired at a BMW dealer, and there was a future warranty change or recall, I could get reimbursed, I schedule to go into a different BMW dealer to get repaired after calling several dealers and getting quotes between $2800 and $5600 to do this repair, I chose the one that had the $2800 estimate, but it still cost $3900 + tax for a total of $4200!!!
They also did an inspection and say that my turbocharger bearings are bad and want $2121 to replace the turbo!! This is at now 82,000.
I just bought a 2013 BMW 328i x-drive with 68,000 miles, there was a recall about a turbo oil supply line that I scheduled to go in and get taken care of, during the inspection @ now 76,000 miles, they said I need a timing chain and wanted some $4500 to fix, I declined until I found out more info and they had a warranty up to 70,000 (changed due to the timing chain) but I was not noticed, I called BMW NA and they would not help in any way, except say that if it was repaired at a BMW dealer, and there was a future warranty change or recall, I could get reimbursed, I schedule to go into a different BMW dealer to get repaired after calling several dealers and getting quotes between $2800 and $5600 to do this repair, I chose the one that had the $2800 estimate, but it still cost $3900 + tax for a total of $4200!!!
They also did an inspection and say that my turbocharger bearings are bad and want $2121 to replace the turbo!! This is at now 82,000.
I had the exact same issue with my 2012 528i. It caused catastrophic engine damage. I had to replace the engine and the turbo as well. (Nearly $14,000)
I knew it was due to a faulty part(s) but had no idea how to prove that.
I need more information on how to take further action.
oakdalepreneed@yahoo.com
I have the same issue with my BMW 2013 528xi On May 21, 2018. Drivetrain Malfunction light came on. Took it into the dealer and they said it is the timing chain. Car is at 86,000 miles so they could not help. I contacted BMWNA and they just called me today after reviewing my claim and will not offer any goodwill assistance. She “documented my claim in case of a future recall so I could be reimbursed.”
I had the same issue with my bmw last week my car was towed to bmw. I was
told by the service advisor it would cost more than $3,000 out of
pocket.
Hello Everyone,
Just came from the dealer. Here is what I got.
Leave the car yesterday and told the about the whining sound and the Engine Oil Pressure issue.
The diagnostic was the following:
The noise I noticed is the normal sound coming from the turbocharger. Full inspection performed, short test performed, interrogated fault memory Engine Oil Low Pressure found once referred to Engine Timing Chain/Oil pump . Need further inspection to confirm. Vehicle exceeds recommended mileage to be covered by timing chain extended warranty.
Recommend Action: Timing Chain Replacement, Quote: $5,649.83.
The Advisor said they are aware of a timing chain guide failure in those engines. When plastic pieces breaks some time get clogged in the filter causing the Engine Oil Pressure. A Service Bulletin was release on 2017 to all service center but will be covered only by the 7 years / 70000 extended warranty, my car is 95k miles. He said that although is an issues he have seen in some of the car from that year there is no recall to replace the part. A service bulletin is just and advise to technicians. He advise me to communicate with BMWNA and expose my case. :mad:
My engine seized up in my X3 due to this and I had to replace my engine. Curious if this settlement is still open and who the settlement administrator is. Any information is appreciated. Feel free to email me @ larson.bond@gmail.com
Yesterday I had the EXACT same issue take place.
Out of nowhere, my 2013 BMW X3 suddenly had a warning that said “Low Oil Pressure” and then instructed me to pull over quickly and safely.
After that, while pulling off the highway, a SECOND Message popped up that said “Drive Train Malfunction”.
I managed to get it down an exit ramp and right into a gas station. The car was idling incredibly rough and making a strange sound.
It was towed to a certified BMW here in RI.
This AM the service tech called me and informed me that my vehicle needs a new engine!!!!
WHEN i asked for an explanation he simply said their diagnostics said there were multiple failures. They tell me that in order to know EXACTLY what happened I would have to actually pay them $1500 or so to tear the engine apart.
My vehicle has 89,000 miles and is out of warranty.
This is unreal. One second it’s working great and next it’s conpletely dead (according to them).
Now I did contact BMW USA consumer relations and spoke to someone who couldn’t promise me anything but would get back to me. They said they were also going to contact the dealership itself.
Something needs to be done about this because now I’m told it’s going to cost me $8600 which quite frankly I should not have to pay for with that mileage and that I really cannot afford to deal with right now.
Thinking about joining in here and will research this further.
Curious what the outcome was. I just had the same happen to mine at 87k miles.
Calling bmw soon.
Here is what happened. After they “researched” it I was told it was unrelated to what everyone else said they were told. I called the dealership out a little given my engine did the EXACT same thing all these others have done.
I provided all my service records on the vehicle (I use a local dealer because the dealership I was at is 48 miles away) and proved I had maintained the vehicle as recommended.
I also called BMW. I worked with someone there that opened a case and also provided all my service documents. They got back to me and said that it was not enough info because I did not have my car serviced at an authorized BMW dealer (which is crap given the dealership I was at specializes in BMW, Mercedes, Audi) but that, as a matter of “goodwill” they would cover $2000 of the costs, leaving me holding the bag for $5700!!!
What choice did I have? I paid it and I will continue to follow this issue because I want my $5700 back! Outrageous that this happens to a vehicle like this.
And with the amount of people this is happening to, same model year, same engine type, and exact same symptoms, something needs to be done about it.
Literally the exact same thing happened to me. 2012 528i – i had to replace the engine AND the turbo because of it. I knew it was due to faulty part(s) because I had no major issues until then. The car was 4 years old and only 76k miles on it .
Same thing happened to me. And they are doing nothing about it. Some thing need to be done,
Had the same issue occurr in my 2013 528i at 100k miles. Car died in highway speed traffic almost killing me. Was told “oil pump went bad” until I researched the issue – dealer did not own up to the fact that this was timing chain guide failure as many have experienced. This is an incredibly widespread issue. Filed complaint with BMW NA (….crickets?). I hope this CA suit is successful – would join in for sure!