2013 BMW 328XI: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine; the 2012 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“2013 bmw 328xi sulev. Consumer writes in regard to turbo failure. *as the consumer stated the vehicle started spewing grey smoke from the exhaust on some cold starts. The oil supply lines to the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired the failure recurred. *js”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2019
“System restraints passenger side. Will not reset. Continues to illuminate restraint errors. Happened while driving, and stays on when parked.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2019
“The car had recently had its 8 speed automatic transmission fluid changed. The transmission was not refilled to the correct capacity and was low. The car began exhibiting drivetrain errors and went into limp mode. The problem is that the computer automatically shifted the car into park while I was driving it. As I approached a stoplight and slow down to around 6 miles an hour the computer automatically put the car in park causing significant grinding of the shark locking gear. There is a bug in the control software did not recognize the car was rolling at a relatively high speed when it decided to put the car in park. The computer should not put the car in park if the car is fully underway.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Several times, when the vehicle was in park and stationary, the door latch failed to unlock the door. The latch was pulled repeatedly but the lock didn't unlock and the door couldn't be opened. The door lock was unlocked using the button on the instrument panel. This happened several times, most recently monday, and it was taken for service at bmw roanoke but they were unable to diagnose the problem or recreate it when they tested the vehicle. I have an iphone video of what is going on if you want to view it.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2018
“Upon a complete refill of the vehicle with fuel, raw gasoline was found leaking down the tank and puddling under the car. Diagnostic inspection upon lowering the fuel tank found a defective "dummy port" seal at the top of the tank. This port was used in early models for emission control sensing. The cap over the seal was not properly sealed allowing fuel to spill out the top of the tank. When in motion this fuel blows onto the hot muffler and poses a potential for catastrophic fire”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw 328xi. The contact stated that thick, white smoke emerged from the exhaust pipe upon starting the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the failure was due to rain water seeping into the exhaust. The contact stated that there was a recall for this failure in 2017, but the NHTSA campaign details were unavailable. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2018
“Timing chain stretch. The timing chain has stretched and as a result is rubbing on internal components and is at severe risk of snapping this is a known issue and bmw has offered and extended 7 year/70,000 mile warranty to cover cars manufactured before 3/2013 however cars ineligible for factory warranties aren't covered and there are exceptions. They need to issue a recap!”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2018
“Takata inflators bmw service center say they don't have the parts available and don't know when. Isn't this dangerous that they don't quickly act on it and replace our parts? What if we get into an accident/ I would like to file a compliant on their inefficiency in trying to resolve this issue and request for them to get the parts asap.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“Traveling at 65mph on a state highway, the vehicle experienced an abrupt loss of power, decelerated to 25mph, and narrowly avoided rear-end collision. Dealership diagnosis was a defective high-pressure fuel pump.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2017
“Jerking with changes of lower gears (automatic) on city streets loss of traction in inclimate weather conditions at highway speeds, tranfer case replaced at 55k believe it to be failing again”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 328XI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2013 BMW 328XI reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 BMW 328XI. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2013 BMW 328XI have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles. 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.