2013 BMW 320i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2013 BMW 320i has 9 complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 29, ranking 6th worst out of 8 model years. It carries a Good verdict relative to other 320i years, with Airbags, Engine, Structure & Body, and Transmission & Powertrain tied as top problem areas at 22% each.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 29/100
- #6 of 8 320i years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 9
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 23 city / 34.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2013 BMW 320i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags2 (22%)
- Engine2 (22%)
- Structure & Body2 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (22%)
- Brakes1 (11%)
- Electrical System1 (11%)
- Fuel System1 (11%)
- Seat Belts1 (11%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power to accelerate past certain RPMs while the transmission is in a lower gear at low speed.
- A ticking noise from the engine valves has been described as loud enough to sound like a diesel engine.
- Some owners saw warning lights for low engine oil pressure and an overheating engine compartment, sometimes leading to the vehicle stalling or losing power.
- Front doors have failed to unlock from the outside, including with the key, which owners flagged as a safety concern in emergencies.
- The reverse light housing has been reported to fall out of place, raising the risk of losing the reverse light or the housing coming loose while driving.
- Smoke from the exhaust was linked to engine oil leaking into the catalytic converter, traced to a failed oil check valve at 76,000 miles.
2013 BMW 320i recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V520000Aug 17, 2015Electrical System7,727 vehicles
Exterior lighting
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 software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 [email protected].
- NHTSA 14V627000Oct 7, 2014Brakes8,988 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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 assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 13V454000Sep 26, 2013Brakes76,191 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: 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 [email protected].
2013 BMW 320i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 34.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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 320i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 BMW 320i reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2013 320i has a complaint index of 29 and ranks 6th worst out of 8 model years tracked, earning a Good verdict relative to other 320i years.
- What problems does the 2013 BMW 320i have?
- NHTSA complaints point to Airbags, Engine, Structure & Body, and Transmission & Powertrain issues, each accounting for 22% of complaints. Owners also reported brake, electrical, fuel system, and seat belt problems in smaller numbers.
- Does the 2013 BMW 320i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 320i covering the electrical system and brakes, including a camshaft seal disk fix and a vacuum pump lubrication fix. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 320i compare to other years?
- The 2013 320i's complaint index of 29 is well below the 2014 model's index of 100 and the 2016 model's index of 86, both rated Avoid. Only the 2012 and 2005 320i have lower complaint indexes.
- At what mileage do 2013 BMW 320i problems tend to show up?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints for this year is 84,500 miles, though individual problem areas vary, with Transmission & Powertrain issues showing at a median of 50,210 miles.