2013 BMW 528XI: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 55 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (48% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Mar 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“the head lights are frequently burn out although there is no break in the light covers. It is unpredictable and unsafe especially because alot of my driving is at night.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2025
“Both of my headlights had moisture. I replaced the driverside first because you could literally see water sitting in the headlamp. Then I replaced the passengerside a year later because it was doing the same thing that the driver side started doing. I have not had any accidents nor has there been any damage to the front of the car. It appears that this is a known problem. My adaptive part is still not working, but the headlights are working. I have replaced my timinig chain and I keep getting a drivetrain malfunction warning. I am not getting a real answer as to why this is occuring.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2025
“The timing chain became stretched so that the valve timing with the pistons had been altered so that a valve face almost hit the top of a piston(one more tooth on the intake camshaft gear would have caused an impact between the piston top and a valve face causing the motor to stall and cease operation thereby causing the vehicle to lose power and possibly control). A timing chain should not stretch so as to cause a strike between a valve face and the top of a piston. Either the timing chain was of inferior quality or the automatic tensioner was inadequate to take up the slack as the chain wore.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to be restarted and was towed to a local dealer. The local dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a failure with the timing chain. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with an unknown Customer Satisfaction Program; however, the contact had not received the notification letter. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2024
“The vehicle has had no accidents or front impacts but has extensive moisture/condensation build up in both front headlamp housings. I intermittently receive a "adaptive headlight failure "warning in cold temperatures until the vehicle warms up. Night driving visibility is being affected as a result of the lens being covered with said moisture/condensation. I see many 5 series vehicles with the same problem.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2023
Recalls - 1 campaign
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."
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.
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 528XI 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 528XI reliable?
NHTSA has 55 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2013 BMW 528XI. The most complained-about area is engine (48% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 BMW 528XI problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,000 miles or less.
Does the 2013 BMW 528XI have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.