YearToAvoid

2013 BMW 328xi Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2013 BMW 328xi has a complaint index of 70, ranking 4th worst among 11 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine (30%) and transmission (26%) issues dominate its 27 complaints, alongside 2 recalls covering electrical systems.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
70/100
#4 of 11 328xi years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
27
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2015
rated Good

Top 2013 BMW 328xi problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine8 (30%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain7 (26%)
  3. Airbags3 (11%)
  4. Electrical System3 (11%)
  5. Other3 (11%)
  6. Brakes2 (7%)
  7. Fuel System2 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine oil consumption forced repeated dealer visits despite fresh oil changes.
  • Thick white smoke came from the exhaust on startup, linked by owners to water intrusion.
  • The powertrain malfunction warning triggered sudden loss of power at highway and city speeds, sometimes with violent vibration.
  • The transmission caused the car to stall completely while driving 55 mph in heavy traffic.
  • The panoramic sunroof shattered without warning while driving on the highway.
  • The electrical system triggered a parking light malfunction warning shortly after a separate engine light repair.
2013 BMW 328xi complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2014Jun 2014Nov 2014Dec 2015Aug 2017May 2018Aug 2018Apr 2019
27 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2014 to Oct 2019; peak Jun 2014 (2).

2013 BMW 328xi recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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 compared with other 328xi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid80673—
2012No verdict014—
2013Caution70272—
2014Caution60173—
2015Good40142—

All BMW 328xi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW 328xi reliable?
NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 70, ranking 4th worst out of 11 model years for the 328xi, with a Caution verdict relative to other years.
What problems does the 2013 BMW 328xi have?
Owners most often reported engine issues (30% of complaints, including oil consumption and exhaust smoke) and transmission/powertrain problems (26%, including sudden power loss and stalling), with a median failure mileage around 31,500 for the engine and 30,000 for the transmission.
Does the 2013 BMW 328xi have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 328xi, both involving the electrical system, including a water pump/plug connector inspection and a software update recall, neither marked do-not-drive.
How does the 2013 328xi compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 70 is better than 2007 (100), 2008 (90), and 2011 (80), all rated Avoid, but worse than 2006, 2009, and 2015, which rated Good.
Were there any crashes or fires reported for the 2013 328xi?
NHTSA logged 2 crashes and 2 fires among the 27 complaints, with no reported deaths and 2 injuries.

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.