2013 Bmw 328xi problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (6) · Engine (5) · Service Brakes (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 328xi model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
24 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
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.
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 bulletins (9)
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 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 2017-06-01 · SIM010917 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. this service information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as dangerous goods (dg) to lighting resources, llc
Engine And Engine Cooling 2017-06-01 · SIM010717 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible usspecification
Service Brakes 2017-06-01 · SIM010617 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
visual inspection of brake discs/rotors for new car deliveries
Showing the 6 most recent of 9 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-10-22 · Engine“2013 bmw 328xi sulev. consumer writes in regard to turbo failure. *as the consumer stated the vehicle started spewing grey smoke from the exhaust on some cold starts. the oil supply lines to the turbocharger needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired the failure recurred. *js…”
2019-04-10 · Air Bags · 36,000 mi“system restraints passenger side. will not reset. continues to illuminate restraint errors. happened while driving, and stays on when parked.…”
2019-03-14 · Power Train · 92,000 mi“the car had recently had its 8 speed automatic transmission fluid changed. the transmission was not refilled to the correct capacity and was low. the car began exhibiting drivetrain errors and went into limp mode. the problem is that the computer automatically shifted the car into park while i was driving it. as i approached a stoplight and slow do…”
2019-03-01 · Engine · 40,000 mi“**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 the launch model for this ge…”
2018-10-23 · Unknown Or Other · 50,000 mi“several times, when the vehicle was in park and stationary, the door latch failed to unlock the door. the latch was pulled repeatedly but the lock didn't unlock and the door couldn't be opened. the door lock was unlocked using the button on the instrument panel. this happened several times, most recently monday, and it was taken for service at bmw …”
2018-08-07 · Power Train · 46,000 mi“jerking with changes of lower gears (automatic) on city streets loss of traction in inclimate weather conditions at highway speeds, tranfer case replaced at 55k believe it to be failing again…”
2018-07-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 85,580 mi“upon a complete refill of the vehicle with fuel, raw gasoline was found leaking down the tank and puddling under the car. diagnostic inspection upon lowering the fuel tank found a defective "dummy port" seal at the top of the tank. this port was used in early models for emission control sensing. the cap over the seal was not properly sealed allo…”
2018-06-09 · Vehicle Speed Control · 38,000 mi“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 again just a few days later.…”
2018-05-31 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw 328xi. the contact stated that thick, white smoke emerged from the exhaust pipe upon starting the vehicle. the contact mentioned that the failure was due to rain water seeping into the exhaust. the contact stated that there was a recall for this failure in 2017, but the nhtsa campaign details were unavailable. the de…”
2018-03-28 · Exterior Lighting · 47,000 mi“for the 2013 bmw 328xi model halogen lights on the low or high beam are absolute of no use. lighting on this car is very poor, on a normal night it is hard to see the curves and you cannot drive more than 30 mph if want to see what's coming up next or see the signboards ahead. it was raining yesterday in dallas and driving this 2013 bmw, i could ba…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.