2013 BMW 320I: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 9 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2012 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 320I. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe due to engine oil leaking into the catalytic converter. As a result, the catalytic converted became clogged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil check valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
“Reverse light housing falls out. Multiple online forums stating it is a known issue with bmw and dealerships are aware. Potential hazard if hosing falls off on highway or lack of a reverse light.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2020
“Front doors will not unlock from the outside and can't use key to inter manually, this is a safety issue if emergency and can't get into the car easily”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2020
Show 3 more owner reports
“Hello I see there was a recall on a malfunction of the engine were the engine stalls due to timing chain and internal parts that gives the engine power. My car showed and emergency indicator light that said engine oil pressure low and to carefully stop and stop engine of risk of damage. Then another indicator that stated engine compartment hot. This was done and the car towed and now the engine has a knocking noise so not driving it. Looking forward to hearing back from you asap as there telling me at bmw that that recall is no longer in effect which doesn't make since to me. Thanks again”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw 320i. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle lost power to accelerate over 2800 rpms when it was placed in second gear. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 7,420. .... Updated 08/05/14 *bf updated 08/18/2014 *js”Owner report · Power Train · May 2014
“The ticking noise from the valves is terrible, the people at bmw said is normal but that noise is too much, its sounds like a diesel car”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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.
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.
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."
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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 320I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 BMW 320I reliable?
NHTSA has 9 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 BMW 320I. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2013 BMW 320I have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.