KnownCarProblems2013 BMW 328i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 257 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 328i, most often about the engine (52% of complaints, typically around 81,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about 328i model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2013 BMW 328i problems
Engine
133 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Travelling at 60 MPH on the highway I got a message "drivetrain malfunction". Before I was able to stop, the car shut down. It was towed to the dealer and they told me the plastic timing chain cover broke off and permanently damaged the engine. It will cost me $8300 to repair. After some research, I found others have…
Vehicle began not responding to gas input and turbo started going out. Diagnostic appeared to reveal waste gate operator malfunction, but further analysis showed complete turbo replacement required. Vehicle began making high pitched noise at various points (idle and acceleration). Less than 90k miles on vehicle.
Electrical
61 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated, and multiple warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle lost power and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that…
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal burning smell coming through…
Air bags
39 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
Car involved in rear end collision and car caught fire and burned up. Air bags did not deploy. Car was in slow motion approaching a stop light when hit in rear . Road conditions sunny and dry. My car was pushed into car in front causing more damage. Accident occurred in illinois 159 in glen carbon,ill.
Driver restraint system malfunction keeps coming on since I purchased vehicle and hendrick BMW has tried to repair my car multiple times but issue still continues after multiple parts of seat and wiring has been replaced and air bags removed and reinstalled.
Brakes
31 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 7,000 miles.
While slowly coming to a stop, the brake pedal became hard yet the car would not stop and seemed to glide for 10-15 feet before finally stopping at which point the engine revved to 6000 RPM, but did not accelerate. The pedal became so hard that I could not press any harder, yet was still slowly moving. Turned the car…
On august 18, 2014, my 2013 BMW 328i with automatic transmission, suddenly and unintentionally accelerated as I slowly pulled into a parking spot at work. It happened as I prepared to stop. ( my foot was on the brake.) it failed to stop or slow down in response to brake pressure. Pumping the brakes was totally…
Transmission
23 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
On 2016 I was driving on a very busy parkway in the afternoon at about 45 MPH (which is a legal speed limit) when my car started shuddering, shaking and slowing down and a message came on saying "drive train malfunction." I immediately called my husband who told me to pull over and shut off the car for 5 minutes. He…
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328i. While driving 50 MPH, the oil pump and drivetrain warning indicators illuminated. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle violently jerked and stalled. As a result, the contact sustained injuries to the breast, but did not require medical attention. The contact attempted…
Fuel system
20 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles.
Smelling fuel when I fill my tank and also noticed fuel on the ground if parked for an extended period. Took my car in and they stated the fuel tank has a hairline crack and BMW has since reinforced the part. Seems like they know it is prone to cracking and have made the fix but not issued a recall
On 2016 I was driving on a very busy parkway in the afternoon at about 45 MPH (which is a legal speed limit) when my car started shuddering, shaking and slowing down and a message came on saying "drive train malfunction." I immediately called my husband who told me to pull over and shut off the car for 5 minutes. He…
Other or unspecified
18 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles.
My BMW 328i 2013 has a drivetrain malfunction second time in less than a month. After reading BMW threads on this particular problem it's a fact that this is a common issue for 2013 BMW owners and a recall should be sent out immediately to resolve this issue.
Large amount of water comes through ceiling of passenger compartment when it rains. Seat belt warning indicator sounds continuously probably due to short. Once the car dries out, the indicator stops sounding. This occurs both stationary and while driving.
Seat belts
10 complaints · 4%Driver restraint system malfunction keeps coming on since I purchased vehicle and hendrick BMW has tried to repair my car multiple times but issue still continues after multiple parts of seat and wiring has been replaced and air bags removed and reinstalled.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact experienced an issue with the seat belt latching. The vehicle was taken to nalley BMW of decatur where it was diagnosed that the seat belt buckle was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 BMW 328i recalls
Electrical: connectors/plugs/receptacles
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 28, 2025. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc. (bmw) is recalling certain 2012-2015 x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i, 2012-2016 z4 sdrive28i, 528i, 528i xdrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 x5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xdrive, 328xi gran turismo, 2013-2017 x3 sdrive28i, x3 xdrive28i, 2015-2018 x4 xdrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On x5 and x6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began march 11, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i convertibles, 128i, 135i, and m coupes, 2007-2010 x3 30si and x3 xdrive30i, 2013-2015 x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i and x1 xdrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xdrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xdrive and m3 coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xdrive and m3, 2009-2011 335d, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xdrive, 2010-2011 x6 activehybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, m3 coupes, x5 30si, x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 48i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i and x5 m, 2009-2013 x5 xdrive35d and 2008-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i and x6m vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradat
Lights: exterior lighting
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on october 7, 2015. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and activehybrid3 vehicles manufactured october 20, 2011, to june 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi sports wagon vehicles manufactured march 21, 2013, to march 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured june 28, 2013, to april 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd sports wagon vehicles manufactured july 5, 2013, to april 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on december 2, 2014. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2014 bmw 328i xdrive sports wagon, 2012-2014 bmw 320i sedan, 328i sedan, 320i xdrive sedan, 328i xdrive sedan, 2012-2013 bmw 528i sedan, 528i xdrive sedan, 2013-2014 bmw x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i sports activity vehicle, 2013-2014 bmw x3 xdrive28i sports activity vehicle, 2012-2014 bmw z4 sdrive28i roadster, and 2014 bmw 428i coupe, and 428i xdrive coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: this recall is an expansion of recall 13v-454.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on january 31, 2014. Owners may contact bmw customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xdrive, and 328i xdrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xdrive sports wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xdrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 x1 sdrive28i and x1 xdrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 z4 sdrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Loss of power assist braking
Summary
In a letter dated september 26, 2013, bmw group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (my) 2012 through 2014 bmw 3-series, 5-series, x1 sav, x3 sav, and z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA recall 13v-454).according to bmw, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.on july 11, 2013, bmw initiated a change to the camshaft geometry that prevented the seal disk from blocking the oil port.bmw has not received any bra
Questions about the 2013 BMW 328i
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 328i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (133 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); electrical (61 complaints, typically around 89,500 miles); air bags (39 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 328i have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 13, 2024 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the BMW 328i?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about 328i model year since 2000, with 257 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.