YearToAvoid

2013 BMW 128i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#2 most-complained of 4 128i years

The 2013 BMW 128i has 36 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls, with a complaint index of 67, ranking as the second-worst of 4 model years (Caution). Airbags dominate complaints at 67% of the total, driven largely by Takata recall issues.

Complaints
36
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 28 hwy

Top 2013 BMW 128i problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags24 (67%)
  2. Engine8 (22%)
  3. Structure & Body4 (11%)
  4. Brakes2 (6%)
  5. Electrical System2 (6%)
  6. Fuel System1 (3%)
  7. Other1 (3%)
  8. Seat Belts1 (3%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report driver frontal airbags flagged under Takata recalls, with some describing long waits for replacement parts and fear of driving the car in the meantime.
  • A brake failure was reported at 7,800 miles, where the vehicle did not stop despite hard pedal pressure and struck another vehicle.
  • Side view mirrors were reported to move on their own while the vehicle was in motion, described as a recurring issue.
  • An engine stall was reported at 12,000 miles after driving over a road object, with the vehicle left undiagnosed.
  • One owner reported the rear headrest design blocked visibility through the rear window for shorter drivers.
  • A front seatbelt and several airbags were found disabled or removed at 31,150 miles, discovered by a mechanic over two months.
2013 BMW 128i complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2013Dec 2014Jul 2016Dec 2016Aug 2017Feb 2018Mar 2023Sep 2025
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2013 to Oct 2025; peak Aug 2016 (3).

2013 BMW 128i recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

    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 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

    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.

    Remedy: 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 owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 16V071000Feb 5, 2016Airbags840,000 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2013 BMW 128i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,725
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other 128i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid10050722
2012Good3331521.5
2013Caution6736321.5

All BMW 128i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW 128i reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2013 128i a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, making it the second-worst of the 4 128i model years tracked. Airbags account for 67% of its complaints.
Does the 2013 BMW 128i have airbag recalls?
Yes. It has two airbag-related recalls (16V071000 and 20V017000) tied to Takata driver airbag inflators, plus one engine wiring recall (22V119000).
What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW 128i?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 24 of 36 complaints (67%), with a median mileage at failure of 35,000 miles.
How does the 2013 128i compare to other years?
NHTSA complaint data ranks 2013 as the second-worst year among the 4 128i model years, behind 2011 (complaint index 100, Avoid) but worse than 2010 (Best) and 2012 (Good).
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 BMW 128i?
EPA rates the 2013 128i at 21.5 mpg combined (18.5 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,725.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.