2012 BMW 535I Engine Problems

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 ID

11696232

Incident

Sep 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the engine temperature and "Pull Over - Stop Vehicle" warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and let the vehicle cool down and drove to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The mechanic advised the contact that there was an active recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

NHTSA ID

11621488

Incident

Oct 14, 2024

Mileage

127,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving approximately 50–55 MPH, the engine overheated and the vehicle shutoff. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The contact continued to drive to her residence. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the fuel pump and the water pump. The water pump and fuel pump were replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11609875

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

Mileage

119,000 mi

Confirmed by a Certified BMW repair center. Failure of Vanos Camshaft Gear Bolts. Recall has been issued for all 5 series models (and beyond) up to 2011, but does not include 2012 (5 series,) as it should. The Recall needs to be extended to include 2012 - 5 series models as failure of these bolts will cause immediate engine failure and could result in catastrophic crash, especially if driving at high speeds. I have contacted BMW of North America and they will not extend the recall until formal complaints, such as this, are received. My Issue with the Vanos Camshaft Bolts is currently being repaired (out of pocket) and I will share my invoice once received.

NHTSA ID

11568781

Incident

Jan 3, 2024

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 ID

11465609

Incident

Apr 5, 2022

While driving car stalled, dropped speed and engine warning light came on. Fuel pump was needed. Had to have car towed obtained a rental for 11 days. Fuel pump out of stock. Immediately after fuel pump was replaced less than two weeks the thermostat had to be replaced. Another tow and another rental. I need to be compensated for stress aggravation and loss of use. Repairs and car rental and tow cost over $3500

NHTSA ID

11432548

Incident

Sep 3, 2021

3/23/2021 DRIVING ON I-94 IN MORNING RUSH HOUR WHEN ENGINE KILLED. WAS ABLE TO ROLL OVER TO THE MEDIAN BETWEEN AN ON-RAMP AND THE HIGHWAY BEFORE CAR STOPPED MOVING. CHARGE BATTERY LIGHT ON ON THE DASH AS WELL AS CHECK STABILIZATION WARNING. WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL BUT DASH LIGHTS/WIPERS WERE ON (RAINING). TOWED TO MECHANIC I'VE TAKEN VEHICLES TO FOR PAST 4-5 CARS/TRUCKS. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE #2 PISTON RING CAME OFF AND JAMMED BETWEEN THE CYLINDER WALL AND PISTON CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE/NEED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE IT WAS REPLACED AND WHILE DOING A TEST DRIVE, THE MECHANIC FELT A VIBRATION AND THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS MOVEMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE SO THEY REPLACED THAT AS WELL. THE CAR HAD 116.5K ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED ABOUT 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE AND CV ASSEMBLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. JUST GOT CAR BACK YESTERDAY, JUST OVER A MONTH AND A HALF TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11416491

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

Mileage

116,526 mi

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 ID

11389810

Incident

Nov 24, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH, MY VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES YESTERDAY AND NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ID

11364323

Incident

Oct 13, 2020

Mileage

109,000 mi

MY COOLANT FAN IS MOVING FASTER THAN IT SHOULD BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP IS FAILING. IT ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE THE OTHER DAY WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR.. IT WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN I HEARD THE FAN SPINNING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND WAS SMOKING TERRIBLY.

NHTSA ID

11319019

Incident

Mar 21, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

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 ID

11186943

Incident

Mar 13, 2019

Mileage

91,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 535I. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF EXHAUST COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOGERMANA BMW (LOCATED AT 298 AVENDIA CARLOS E. CHARDON, SAN JUAN, 00919, PR, (787) 474-7000), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,509.

NHTSA ID

11174259

Incident

May 15, 2018

Mileage

38,509 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,009.

NHTSA ID

11121508

Incident

Aug 20, 2018

Mileage

100,009 mi

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 ID

10958015

Incident

Dec 29, 2016

Mileage

115,272 mi