Is the 2013 BMW 328i a bad year?
258 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 134, 2.3× a quiet 328i year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2013 BMW 328i were filed between 61k and 104k miles. You're at 82,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 328i owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 82,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 134 (52%) | 61k–104k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 62 (24%) | 54k–118k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 23 (9%) | 28k–88k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 39 (15%) | 33k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 31 (12%) | 1k–11k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 20 (8%) | 44k–81k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 82,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 258 complaints: 24 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 14 report an injury · 29 say the car was towed.
7 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I bought the 2013 BMW 328XI brand new in 2012. Last year, I spent $2,000 replacing the high pressure fuel pump after my car stalled in the middle of driving.
I was driving from work and the car just instantly shut off on the highway. The car wouldn't go into neutral. After doing some research online I saw that it's a problem where a lot of BMW owners have encountered.
Whining of the engine timing chain. Visible marks on chain and rough idle on car and hard starts. Took to mechanic and cause was timing chain guides broken.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 82,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 BMW 328i: 5
BMW of North America, LLC. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from BMW: 442
Repair instructions BMW sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 BMW 328i. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
After an automatic engine start (MSA start), the transmission intermittently goes into the Park "P" or Neutral "N" position without any customer influence
The quick disconnect coupling on the cylinder head coolant vent line could break at the cylinder head
Combustion control valve lift at idle
N20 and N26 engine timing chain and oil pump drive chain
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Loss of power assist braking
Neighbouring years
2012 328i: 130 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2014 328i: 152 complaints, keep it.
Every BMW 328i year
2000 · 2001 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · All 328i years side by side
Other BMW models: BMW 128i · BMW 135i · BMW 3 Series · BMW 320i · BMW 323i · BMW 325ci · BMW 325i · BMW 325xi · BMW 328d · BMW 328xi · BMW 330ci · BMW 330i · BMW 330xi · BMW 335i · BMW 335xi · BMW 428i · BMW 5 Series · BMW 525i · BMW 528i · BMW 528xi · BMW 530i · BMW 530xi · BMW 535i · BMW 540i · BMW 550i · BMW 750Li · BMW 750i · BMW K1200LT · BMW M3 · BMW R1200 GS · BMW R1200 RT · BMW X1 · BMW X3 · BMW X5 · BMW X6 · BMW X7 · BMW Z4 · BMW i3. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 BMW 328i a bad year?
258 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 134, 2.3× a quiet 328i year. At 82,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2013 BMW 328i were filed between 61k and 104k miles. You're at 82,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 328i?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (134), electrical system (62), transmission and drivetrain (23), air bags (39), brakes (31). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 61k–104k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 328i have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine and cooling (NHTSA 24V-608), Air bags (NHTSA 20V-017), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 15V-520), Brakes (NHTSA 14V-627) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.