2013 Bmw 3 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (4) · Power Train (4) · Electrical System (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 3 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (42)
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 2025-02-20 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Fuel/Propulsion System 2024-09-16 · B131110 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
only fuel nozzles with the recommended “specified” diameter for diesel engine passenger vehicles can beinserted into the filler neck. most fuel stations have their diesel fuel pumps fitted with this recommendeddiameter fuel nozzle. however, if the vehicle’s filler-neck misfuelling protection system
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-03 · B063824 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
radio r/c with fem return
Electrical System 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
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.
Suspension 2023-08-02 · SB23-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
spl parts, inc. communications index accompanying mcp uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
Showing the 6 most recent of 42 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-03-26 · Electrical System · 65,536 mi“the door lock actuators have failed. this makes it so that the doors do not open when you are inside the vehicle attempting to get out by pulling the door handle. this is a safety issue not allowing me to get out of my vehicle. if this issue is not resolved by paying the $1500 to fix the issue the doors will stop opening completely making this even…”
2019-01-14 · Electrical System · 70,000 mi“driver and passenger trapped in car after parking at as gas pump. doors would unlock but not open resulting in the potential of killing its passengers in a crash. there is a video on youtube of a similar incident.…”
2018-01-16 · Wheels · 37,500 mi“two wheel rims cracked, only 38,000 miles on vehicle. rims won't withstand normal road conditions. they are a safety hazard never know when they will crack and causing loosing control while driving.…”
2018-01-08 · Electrical System“when i try to open the drivers side door by pulling the handle it does not unlock automatically. the only way to exit the vehicle is through another door or by using the central lock/unlock button. my fear is that in the case of an emergency or accident if the electrical system is compromised i could possibly be trapped in the vehicle. i attempted …”
2016-08-29 · Air Bags“takata recall: i received a letter from bmw on march 2016 notifying me of the driver's front air bag module recall, campaign no. 16v-071. bmw did not have any parts available at the time of notification and indicated they would notify me as soon as they are able to perform the recall on my vehicle. i am concerned for my safety and i think waitin…”
2016-04-14 · Air Bags“takata recall. i have been attempting to work with bmw corporate and the local dealership in ridgefield ct where i leased the vehicle for the past 3 months and i have yet to successfully resolve the situation. i have 4 months left on my lease and i want bmw to take the vehicle back early as it is unsafe to drive. i survived a train crash in ny j…”
2015-06-07 · Service Brakes · 9,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was driving down i-5 south on june 6 at about 6.30 pm with 2 of my friends. there was traffic on the highway and i applied my brakes after seeing the vehicle in front of me slowing down to a complete stop. my car slowed down but it would not come to a complete stop. it kept rolling. i pressed the brakes hard but i could feel a squealing feeling i…”
2015-03-03 · Visibility/Wiper · 12,650 mi“we have had some snow here in new york this past winter. it seems as if there may be a design flaw with the windshield wiper. for whatever reason the windshield wiper on the right hand side popped. per the dealer this outside influence voided the guarantee as there was ice under the cowl where the arm is connected to the motor. the photo in the att…”
2014-06-15 · Electrical System · 4,000 mi“my husband was refueling our 2013 bmw 335i and i was in the passenger seat. during that process, a pickup truck backed up and was close to hitting our car. from the passenger seat, i tried to warn the other driver with our car's horn, but it did not work, so i resorted to screaming as loud as possible since the windows were also closed. fortunat…”
2014-03-14 · Power Train · 500 mi“the car has displayed "drivetrain malfunction, drive moderately" twice now in less than one year of ownership. when this display has occurred, the car goes into "limp mode" and can only be driven at low speeds or with very sluggish acceleration. this is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substanti…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.