2013 BMW 528i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#3 most-complained of 7 528i years
The 2013 BMW 528i has 73 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and a complaint index of 67, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years — a Caution year. Engine problems dominate at 66% of complaints, with median failure mileage around 97,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 73
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 23 city / 32.5 hwy
Top 2013 BMW 528i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine48 (66%)
- Electrical System16 (22%)
- Airbags14 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (18%)
- Other6 (8%)
- Brakes4 (5%)
- Seat Belts4 (5%)
- Steering4 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (1%)
What owners report
- Owners report engine timing chain stretching and guides breaking apart, sometimes leading to full engine replacement near 116,000 miles.
- Some describe the drivetrain malfunction indicator activating along with vibration before the engine cuts off and fails to restart.
- Airbags reportedly deployed without any impact while braking at low speed, causing injury.
- Others report the driver airbag warning light staying on after only a minor scuff, with dealers declining warranty coverage.
- One owner reported a burning odor followed by the transmission kicking out of gear, loss of power, and a fire under the hood.
- Door lock motors reportedly make repeated ratcheting sounds and fail to lock properly after being opened from outside.
2013 BMW 528i recalls
4 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 15V188000Mar 31, 2015Electrical System13,443 vehicles
Exterior lighting
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- 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.
2013 BMW 528i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 32.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,000
- 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 528i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 BMW 528i reliable?
- Compared to other 528i model years, 2013 ranks 3rd worst out of 7 with a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2011 and 2012 model years but more than 2014 and 2016.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 BMW 528i?
- Engine issues account for 66% of complaints, the largest share of any problem area, with a median failure mileage of 97,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 BMW 528i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 528i covering the electrical system (water pump and plug connector), brakes (vacuum pump lubrication and camshaft seal), and rear reflex reflectors.
- How does the 2013 528i compare to the 2011 and 2012 528i?
- The 2011 528i has the highest complaint index at 100 with 117 complaints, and the 2012 528i has an index of 83 with 90 complaints, both rated Avoid. The 2013 528i is comparatively less problematic at an index of 67.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 BMW 528i?
- EPA rates the 2013 528i at 26.5 mpg combined (23 city / 32.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,000.