2013 BMW 328XI recalls and problems

2 recalls and 27 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2013 BMW 328XI.

2
recalls
27
owner complaints
2
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2013 BMW 328XI recalls

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, pump · Electrical system: wiring, connectors/plugs/receptacles

NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · reported August 13, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC · 720,796 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA campaign 15V520000 · reported August 17, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC · 7,727 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The risk
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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].

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 22, 2019 · Engine

2013 BMW 328XI SULEV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TURBO FAILURE. 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.

Apr 10, 2019 · Air bags · 36,000 miles

SYSTEM RESTRAINTS PASSENGER SIDE. WILL NOT RESET. CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE RESTRAINT ERRORS. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, AND STAYS ON WHEN PARKED.

Mar 14, 2019 · Power train · 92,000 miles

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…

Mar 1, 2019 · Engine · 40,000 miles

**PRESS BMW TO ISSUE RECALL** 2013 BMW 328I - XDRIVE HAS FAULTY TURBO ACTUATOR DESIGN. BMW CORRECTED THE DESIGN OF TURBO ACTUATOR ARM IN SUBSEQUENT MODELS. BMW REALIZED IT WAS THEIR DESIGN MISTAKE. TURBO ACT ARM BREAKS VERY EASILY. LOT OF CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN MADE TO SPEND A FORTUNE (>$3000) TO FIX THIS ISSUE. 2013 WAS…

Oct 23, 2018 · Unknown or other · 50,000 miles

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…

328XI model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2010 31711
2011 36765
2012 4101
2013 22722
2014 31720
2015 21411
2016 1400

Across all years, the 2007 328XI has the most complaints (198). All BMW 328XI years →

Questions

Does the 2013 BMW 328XI have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 BMW 328XI, the most recent reported on August 13, 2024 (Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, pump, Electrical system: wiring, connectors/plugs/receptacles). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 328XI?
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (7 complaints), followed by power train (7).
How many 2013 BMW 328XI complaints mention a crash or fire?
2 of 27 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 22, 2019.