Are 2013 BMW 128i airbags a common complaint?

Yes. NHTSA lists 24 airbag complaints out of 36 total complaints for the 2013 128i, or 67% of all complaints filed for that year.

Is there a recall for the 2013 BMW 128i airbags?

Yes, two recalls apply: campaign 16V071000, filed 2016-02-05, and campaign 20V017000, filed 2020-01-15, both covering the Takata driver airbag module or inflator.

Did the airbag issue cause any crashes or injuries?

NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to the airbag complaints for the 2013 128i.

At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 35,000 miles.

How does the 2013 128i compare to other years for airbag complaints?

The 2013 128i's 67% share is close to the 2012 model's 74% but higher than 2011 (30%) and 2010 (41%), based on NHTSA complaint data by model year.

2013 BMW 128i Airbags Problems

Airbags account for 24 of 36 complaints (67%) filed for the 2013 BMW 128i, mostly tied to two Takata driver airbag recalls (16V071000 and 20V017000). Owners reported no crashes, fires, or injuries; median mileage at failure was 35,000 miles.

Airbags complaints: 24; 67% of 36
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 35,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

Owners describe long waits, some over 10 months, for replacement parts under the Takata driver airbag recall to become available.
Several drivers report continuing to use the car daily while worried the driver's front airbag inflator could rupture.
Some owners say dealers confirmed a recall existed but could not schedule the repair because no parts were in stock.
A few complaints note buying or financing the 128i without being told about the open Takata airbag recall at the time of sale.
One owner reported the vehicle sitting unrepaired for years despite repeated dealer visits after notification.

When 2013 BMW 128i airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 10, 2016, latest Oct 30, 2025.

24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2016 to Oct 2025; peak Aug 2016 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2013 BMW 128i

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.
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.

Airbags complaints by 128i model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20109 (41%)
201115 (30%)
201223 (74%)
201324 (67%)

Frequently asked questions

Are 2013 BMW 128i airbags a common complaint?: Yes. NHTSA lists 24 airbag complaints out of 36 total complaints for the 2013 128i, or 67% of all complaints filed for that year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 BMW 128i airbags?: Yes, two recalls apply: campaign 16V071000, filed 2016-02-05, and campaign 20V017000, filed 2020-01-15, both covering the Takata driver airbag module or inflator.
Did the airbag issue cause any crashes or injuries?: NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to the airbag complaints for the 2013 128i.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 35,000 miles.
How does the 2013 128i compare to other years for airbag complaints?: The 2013 128i's 67% share is close to the 2012 model's 74% but higher than 2011 (30%) and 2010 (41%), based on NHTSA complaint data by model year.