KnownCarProblems2013 BMW 528i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 528i, most often about the engine (64% of complaints, typically around 97,000 miles). It is 4th of 12 528i model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2013 BMW 528i problems
Engine
47 complaints · 64%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles.
Last week my almost five year old 528i sedan with 97,000 miles died on a major expressway with almost no warning. The first warning of low oil pressure came on and I called the dealer who said probably because I am due for my 10,000 mile check up and it is a quirk. Four days later the same message came on again while…
The contact owns a 2013 bmv 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 not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light…
Air bags
14 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. While driving approximately 2 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the front driver side air bag inadvertently exploded without impact to the vehicle. The driver sustained severe bruises to both arms and legs. There was also upper abdominal bruising and stomach swelling that…
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. When starting the vehicle, the air bag indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bags failed. The manufacturer stated that there were no air bag recalls for the vehicle. The failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 09/27/17
Electrical
14 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine…
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. The…
Transmission
13 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles.
While driving a message of drivetrain malfunction pops up on the idrive system. Spark plugs have been changed along with regular oil changes. Happens occasionaly then I shut the car off and lock then unlock and restart. Sometimes the message will pop back up and sometimes it does not.
I currently have a 2013 528i BMW with less 90k miles and less than 8 years old. I was driving the vehicle and all of a sudden I received a drivetrain malfunction that abruptly stopped the car. I got to find out that the engine was completely done. I called BMW to see if there was any recall on that issue, I also found…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 8%The driver's side door handle and/or actuator fails and does not open from the inside without pressing the electric button on the dash to unlock all doors. Upon pulling the inside door handle, the door lock pin slowly moves up and then recedes back down into the lock position when releasing the handle. In an emergency…
Seat belts
4 complaints · 6%Driver restraint /airbag system warning light on to no apparent reason. Dealer states that the car must have been in accident ，but only a minor scuff on the rear number was observed. Dealer stated the minor scuff has caused the system lights to stay on and will not cover the cost under the warrantee . Car…
Steering
4 complaints · 6%When making turns I hear a clicking noise. Going into turn and coming out of turn noise can be heard from the steering wheel itself. This happens only when making turns anywhere. After investigating come to my attention that the clock spring just for no reason breaks connection which make the air bag restraint light…
While driving regularly the steering wheel makes a clicking noise and the airbag sensor is on. Vehicle was sent to the luxury motorsport dealership where the vehicle was purchased. Their phone number is 1-[phone]. And after they plugged in the computer to check up, the diagnostic comes out as airbag, wabco 441 120 008…
Lights
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: headlights.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact stated that water entered the headlights. The vehicle was taken to new country BMW (1 weston park rd, hartford, ct 06120, ([phone]) where the vehicle diagnosed and it was confirmed that there was water in headlights and may cause an electrical failure. The vehicle was not…
Condensation in headlights, common in the vehicle with now fix. Water seeps through and destroys electronics, including leveling, adjusting, and turn signals. Each time it rains it becomes worse and makes visibility difficult. When the vehicle was bought it was stated to the sales department and was told it is no…
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 528i 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: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began july 28, 2017. 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 2013 528i, 528i xdrive, 535i, 535i xdrive, 550i, 550i xdrive, and activehybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 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
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 528i
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 528i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (47 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles); air bags (14 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); electrical (14 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 528i have?
- 4 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 528i?
- It is 4th of 12 528i model years by number of complaints, with 73 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.