NHTSA Complaint #11306376 — 2013 BMW 328I

NOTED LOUD WHIRLING/WHINY SOUND FROM ENGINE. BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD TIMING/OIL MECHANISM IS MALFUNCTIONING. IF DRIVEN FURTHER ENGINE MIGHT SEIZE. VALVE COVER WAS REMOVED AND TIMING CHAIN FOUND WITH UNACCEPTABLE SLACK. UPON INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED BMW NA SENT LETTERS ON EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY CAR. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED SUCH LETTER. CONTACTED BMWNA AND THEY DENY COVERAGE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED AT A DEALER. I HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING IT HAS TO BE. ALSO AT 34000 MILES WITH PROVEN MAINTENANCE RECORD WAY AHEAD OF ANY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE PUBLISHED BY BMW I SHOULD HAVE HAVE TO REPAIR TIMING MECHANISM AT A COST OT $2800. WHAT IS MORE SCARY IS THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT HAVE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO N20/26 ENGINE FAILURE RATES AS BMW IS OBVIOUSLY NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE DANGER "BUILT IN" IN THEIR FXX GENERATION CARS.