2013 BMW 328i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#2 most-complained of 7 328i years
The 2013 BMW 328i has a Complaint Index of 83, ranking 2nd worst out of 7 model years, with a verdict of Avoid. NHTSA lists 257 complaints, 5 recalls, and 24 crashes, with Engine problems the top issue at 53% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 257
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 24 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 28 hwy
Top 2013 BMW 328i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine137 (53%)
- Electrical System63 (25%)
- Airbags39 (15%)
- Brakes37 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (9%)
- Fuel System20 (8%)
- Other19 (7%)
- Structure & Body13 (5%)
- Seat Belts10 (4%)
- Steering8 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden brake failure at low speed, including in parking lots, with the car unable to stop before hitting curbs or walls.
- Several complaints describe the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating on its own, sometimes while parked, leading to crashes.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during collisions, including a rear-end crash that led to fire and one where metal fragments caused injuries.
- Some owners report steering stiffening or locking up at the same time brakes failed, making the vehicle impossible to control.
- Warning indicator lights were reported to blink or activate without a clear cause shortly before a failure occurred.
2013 BMW 328i recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles
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.
Remedy: 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.
- 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 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].
2013 BMW 328i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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 328i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 BMW 328i reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 328i ranks 2nd worst out of 7 model years with a Complaint Index of 83 and a verdict of Avoid.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 BMW 328i?
- Engine complaints are the largest category, accounting for 53% of the 257 complaints on file, with a median failure mileage of 79,500 miles.
- Does the 2013 BMW 328i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 328i covering the electrical system, airbags, and brakes, including a brake vacuum pump issue and a driver airbag replacement.
- How does the 2013 328i compare to other years?
- The 2013 328i has a Complaint Index of 83, worse than 2012 (17, Best), 2014 (67, Caution), 2015 (33, Good), and 2016 (0, Best), but better than 2011 (100, Avoid).