2013 BMW 320i recalls and problems

The 2013 BMW 320i has 3 safety recalls and 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

1 / 0

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 BMW 320i vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 BMW 320i recalls

Recall 15V-520: Exterior Lighting

Reported Aug 17, 2015 · 7,727 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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."

Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Recall 14V-627: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Oct 7, 2014 · 8,988 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 13V-454: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Sep 26, 2013 · 76,191 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2013 BMW 320i problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	2
Air Bags	2
Structure	2
Engine	2
Service Brakes	1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1
Fuel/Propulsion System	1
Exterior Lighting	1
Seat Belts	1

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Hydraulic › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 93,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 BMW 320i complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · at 76,000 miles · reported Jan 12, 2023

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.

Air Bags · reported Jan 12, 2022

engine overheating, passenger safety belt, failed speed control (difficulty accelerating) Due to these issues and malfunctions; it causes injury to the driver as the airbags/seat belts are not stable. If the car suddenly stops it can injure the driver. The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, vehicle loses power/ says to drive moderately or stop driving/ the car drives slow does not past 35 mph, the car goes into 'limp mode' (less than 10 mph) it goes in a very low speed with no acceleration; This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially.…

Structure · reported Aug 14, 2020

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.

Structure · reported Jul 11, 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

Power Train · at 93,000 miles · reported Nov 6, 2019

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

Other BMW 320i years

2018 2017 2016 2015 201420132012 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all BMW 320i years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 BMW 320i have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 BMW 320i: 15V-520 (exterior lighting), 14V-627 (service brakes, hydraulic), 13V-454 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW 320i?

Owners report power train problems most often (2 reports), followed by air bags (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 93,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.