YearToAvoid

2013 BMW 328XI Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

83/100

#2 most-complained of 7 328XI years

The 2013 BMW 328XI ranks 2nd worst out of 7 model years, with a complaint index of 83 and 27 complaints. Engine problems lead at 30% of complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 26%, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other 328XI years.

Complaints
27
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 2
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2013 BMW 328XI problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Engine develops excessive oil consumption, requiring drivers to add oil between scheduled service intervals.
  • Thick white smoke emerges from the exhaust on startup, reportedly linked to rainwater entering the exhaust system.
  • Vehicle loses power and vibrates violently on the highway as the engine malfunction light illuminates.
  • Powertrain malfunction warnings appear suddenly at city and highway speeds, cutting power and sometimes bringing the car to a full stop.
  • Electronic parking brake reportedly fails to engage, leading to a low-speed collision.
  • Sunroof glass shatters unexpectedly while driving, without any apparent external cause.
2013 BMW 328XI complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2014Jun 2014Nov 2014Dec 2015Aug 2017May 2018Aug 2018Apr 2019
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2014 to Oct 2019; peak Jun 2014 (3).

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)02550751002010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid100673—
2012No verdict014—
2013Avoid83272—
2014Caution67173—
2015Caution50142—

All BMW 328XI years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW 328XI reliable?
Compared to other 328XI model years, the 2013 ranks 2nd worst out of 7 years tracked, with a complaint index of 83 and 27 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 328XI?
NHTSA complaints show engine issues make up 30% of reports and transmission and powertrain issues make up 26%, with a median mileage at failure of 33,120.5 miles.
Does the 2013 BMW 328XI have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 328XI, both involving the electrical system: one covering a water pump/plug connector issue and another involving a software update.
How does the 2013 328XI compare to the 2011 model?
The 2011 328XI has a higher complaint index of 100 with 67 complaints and is also rated Avoid, while the 2013 has a complaint index of 83 with 27 complaints.
Are engine problems in the 2013 328XI dangerous?
NHTSA data shows the Engine problem area for the 2013 328XI recorded 8 complaints and 1 fire, with a median mileage at failure of 31,500 miles.

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.