2013 BMW 5 Series problems

“UKNOWN EXACT PROBLEM. 2013 BMW 535i with the same N55 motor with the [XXX] recall. Similar symptoms: Drivetrain malfunction and "camshaft stuck" code with loud metallic clanking in upper front of engine bay. Incident happened at rough 5-10mph pulling out of a parking lot just at 160,000 miles. Oil spilling everywhere and car was losing power.”

“My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [XXX] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in origin. The vehicle was completely off and had been parked for about 20 minutes. I was not in or near the car. The fire originated under the hood. This matches known fire patterns in BMW 5-series models from this generation involving electrical/engine components, even though my VIN shows no open recalls. The previous owner did not register the car, so any recall notices may not have reached them. The vehicle is a total loss.”

“Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I’ll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I’m a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittle. Cause for concern due to airbag malfunction and is no longer connected properly!!!I’ve been hearing a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days. Then, suddenly, the horn stopped working, and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working as well. Since I’m a mechanic, I disassembled the clock spring and the steering wheel compartment to find that all the wires were broken and extremely brittle. This is concerning because it could cause an airbag malfunction, and the wires are no longer connected properly.”

“I AM 70 YEARS OLD, DRIVING IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA AND MY VEHICLE STOPPED! I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST IS VERY EXPENSIVE. THERE WAS A LAWSUIT SETTLED ABOUT FAULY TIMING CHAINS IN 2021. MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY IT, NOT DUE TO MILEAGE BUT AGE. IT IS DANGEROUS FOR A CAR TO SUDDENLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE TO STAY BEHIND MY CAR WITH LIGHTS FLASHING SO IT WAS NOT HIT. LOUISIANA WAS UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING AT THIS TIME. THE CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED AND I HAD TO WAIT FOR A WREAKER, IN EXTREME HEAT. BMW DID NOT RECALL THESE VEHICLES NAMED IN THIS SUIT. NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO LARGER CITIES FOR HEALTHCARE. I AM THANKFUL THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON AN INTERSTATE WITH SIX LANES. IN MY OPINION, RECALLS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SENT OUT TO OWNERS. IT PUTS DRIVERS AT RISK IN AREAS OF HIGH TRAFFIC.”

“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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate while it was raining or while washing the vehicle. The indicators failed to operate while attempting to make a turn. The warning light indicating an electrical failure was illuminated. The failure was intermittent. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”

“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal burning odor. The contact stated the burning odor occurred frequently. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact was unaware that the vehicle needed to be taken to an authorized BMW dealer for the recall repair. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact was referred to a BMW dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.”