2013 Bmw 328i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (64) · Engine And Engine Cooling (40) · Service Brakes (26)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 328i model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
137 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Electrical System:wiring:connectors/Plugs/Receptacles 2024-08-13 · campaign 24V608000 · 720,796 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
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.
Exterior Lighting 2015-08-17 · campaign 15V520000 · 7,727 vehicles
Defect: 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 softw
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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2014-10-07 · campaign 14V627000 · 8,988 vehicles
Defect: 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 as
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2013-09-26 · campaign 13V454000 · 76,191 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Service bulletins (633)
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.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 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.
Electrical System 2023-05-01 · B651523 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
after programming the head unit (hu-h2), activating the fsc (german word freischaltcode) enabling codes repeatedly fails.
Structure:body:tailgate 2023-05-01 · B514616 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.
Equipment 2023-03-01 · B840822 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the 3g network in the us has been shut down. this means that only the 4g network will be available. in the 4g network, voice calls will be transferred via the voice over lte (volte) function. for this purpose, the sim card must perform an ims registration in the mobile communication network. due to
Exterior Lighting 2023-03-01 · B630917 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
exterior rear lights do not work.
Showing the 6 most recent of 633 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-02 · Service Brakes“i was at the john wayne airport, going from the arrivals to departures. i had a lot of stop and go traffic, and when i was going down toward the bottom, my brakes failed. i kept pumping them to try and stop but they were not working. i saw an empty area where the car rental returns were and i was able to pull over and come to a stop. i was very luc…”
2026-07-28 · Power Train · 174,775 mi“the contact owns a 2013 bmw 328i. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. the drivetrain and passenger’s side air bag warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. the contact turned off and resta…”
2026-03-12 · Power Train“2013 bmw 328i, n20 engine. timing chain guide assembly and oil pump drive chain failed catastrophically. vehicle is available for inspection, however the authorized bmw dealership has already made clear they will accept no responsibility, and i would bear the expense of towing it two hours to their facility. the failure is a known issue with a clas…”
2026-01-26 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 56,910 mi“the contact owns a 2013 bmw 328i. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a hole on top of the fuel tank. the contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. in addition, the contact was informed that the fail…”
2025-12-11 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 89,565 mi“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 water pump and electrical p…”
2025-11-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling“see attached document for complaint. i am writing in reference to the recall on my 2013 bmw-328xi. the vin number is. the recall is for the water pump electrical connector. my water pump failed may 2024. i went to an independent repair service center that specializes in bmw repair, which in turn was the closest service center to where the vehicle …”
2025-09-10 · Seats“passenger restraint system malfunction for the front passenger seat. this may not trigger the airbag for a passenger sitting in the front if a collision occurs and can seriously injure someone. this problem appears to be very common with bmw models within this timeframe. all over car forums and youtube videos, some videos with over 100k views per v…”
2025-07-23 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 123,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 bmw 328i. the contact’s daughter stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); and the vehicle was taken to the…”
2025-07-16 · Engine And Engine Cooling“see attached document for complaint.…”
2025-07-02 · Electrical System“recall was issued in august 2024 and there is yet to be a fix/remedy…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.