2013 Bmw 128i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (22) · Engine And Engine Cooling (3) · Structure:body (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 128i model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2022-03-02 · campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SA
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing ow
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-01-15 · campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (15)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-21 · B611025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a 12-volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programmingprocedure- the bmw footwell module (frm) may become unresponsive. as a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: headlights including the high beams
Electrical System 2026-04-23 · B611026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a 12-volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programming procedure- the bmw footwell module (frm) may become unresponsive. as a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: headlights including the high beam
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2019-07-09 · 121412 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
n55 engine: various faults stored in dme related to vanos and camshaft position. a rattling noise can be heard from the engine compartment; the engine has a loss of power; and the service engine soon lamp is illuminated. one or more of the following faults may be stored. e70, e71, e82, e88, e90, e92
Electrical System 2018-08-01 · B170318 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
butt connector for repairing a plug connection. the ?top up coolant? message is displayed in the central display (cc message id 166). when checking the cooling system there are no leaks found and the expansion tank is filled to the proper level.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-06-01 · B650709 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
navigation system: reporting missing or incorrect road map data: the route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
Showing the 6 most recent of 15 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-30 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2013 bmw 128i. the contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. the local dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure was a recurring failure, and the vehicle was parked and no longer driven due to safety concerns. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure milea…”
2025-09-19 · Structure:body“on or about 2022 i was given notice of recall which told me to go to any bmw dealer for repair. i went to niello bmw in sacramento. i was getting car processed and then told to summarily leave. they refused to repair my car per recall notice …”
2025-08-07 · Air Bags · 82,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 bmw 128i. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. the contact also stated that while his wife was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the front passenger’s side…”
2024-09-16 · Air Bags“front passenger air bag seat occupancy sensor (oc3) mat warning "passenger restraint system. fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag" bmw has an extended warranty for this exact issue on several other models, but not the 1 series which should be included. this is a huge safety issue and shouldn't be the customer's responsibility.…”
2024-08-29 · Power Train“see attached document for complaint. …”
2023-03-30 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2013 bmw 128i. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v119000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacture…”
2022-05-25 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 75,001 mi“the contact owns a 2013 bmw 128i. the contact stated while driving at 30 mph, she smelled a strong burning odor. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. the contact stated that the strong burning odor caused her to collapse once. the contact sought medical assistance and wa…”
2022-05-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2013 bmw 128i. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v119000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the dealer was made aware of the issue. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the cont…”
2022-04-06 · Fuel/Propulsion System“when stopped with foot on break, car accelerates & rpms roar. dealers computer unable to find problem, but dealer suggests a bmw battery or replacing an outside power door handle, but no guaranty…”
2018-12-08 · Unknown Or Other · 93,000 mi“driver's side door lock/latch (actuator) occasionally will not unlock using normal physical force, only unlocks with electrical assistance from unlock button on dashboard or key fob. could be dangerous in an accident where battery power is cut off (by design) - the occupant is unable to egress and remains trapped inside vehicle. others have experie…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.