KnownCarProblems2013 BMW 328xi Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 328xi, most often about the engine (30% of complaints, typically around 31,500 miles). It is 4th of 11 328xi model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2013 BMW 328xi problems
Engine
8 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Error - "drivetrain malfunction: drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center." this was taken to the dealer (BMW of silver spring, md) at first. They said it was thermostat issue. So, they installed a new thermostat and I paid my $100 deductible. The same error started appearing…
**press BMW to issue recall** 2013 BMW 328i - xdrive has faulty turbo actuator design. BMW corrected the design of turbo actuator arm in subsequent models. BMW realized it was their design mistake. Turbo act arm breaks very easily. Lot of customers have been made to spend a fortune (>$3000) to fix this issue. 2013 was…
Transmission
7 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
The transmission has suddenly failed while driving, about once a year, beginning a few months after I purchased the car new. I experience a sudden loss of power and the display reads "drivetrain malfunction, maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center." pulling over and restarting the car makes the…
Error - "drivetrain malfunction: drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center." this was taken to the dealer (BMW of silver spring, md) at first. They said it was thermostat issue. So, they installed a new thermostat and I paid my $100 deductible. The same error started appearing…
Air bags
3 complaints · 11%On december 1st I was rearended at interstate speed (65 miles per hour) just prior to impact I had turned my steering wheel to the right to lessen the impact to the vehicle in front of me. However it is clear from the damage to my vehicle that my car made contact on the driver side corner with the bridge as well as…
System restraints passenger side. Will not reset. Continues to illuminate restraint errors. Happened while driving, and stays on when parked.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 11%On december 1st I was rearended at interstate speed (65 miles per hour) just prior to impact I had turned my steering wheel to the right to lessen the impact to the vehicle in front of me. However it is clear from the damage to my vehicle that my car made contact on the driver side corner with the bridge as well as…
My car doors intermittently won't open, potentially trapping me in my under-warranty car. This happens about once a week across any of the four doors and has been happening for about 12 months. I have taken the car to BMW multiple times under warranty without repair. Others have reported the same problem in their…
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 328xi 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.
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."
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
Questions about the 2013 BMW 328xi
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 328xi?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (8 complaints, typically around 31,500 miles); transmission (7 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles); air bags (3 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 328xi have?
- 2 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 328xi?
- It is 4th of 11 328xi model years by number of complaints, with 27 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.