2013 BMW 328xi recalls and problems

The 2013 BMW 328xi has 3 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 26V-733 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
3
Complaints
27
Crashes / fires
2 / 2
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 BMW 328xi vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 BMW 328xi recalls

Recall 26V-733: Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling

Park outsideReported Nov 4, 2026 · 720,796 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2016 3 Series, 5 Series, Z4, 2012-2015 X1, 2013-2017 X3, 2015-2016 4 Series Gran Coupe, 2 Series Convertible, 2014-2016 328xi Gran Turismo, 2 Series Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 3 Series Coupe, 3 Series Sportswagon, 2015-2018 X4, and 2016-2018 X5 xDrive40e vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in December 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 25, 2026. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V608. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Recall 24V-608: Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Aug 13, 2024 · 720,796 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

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.

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.

2013 BMW 328xi problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine7
Power Train7
Air Bags3
Unknown or Other3
Service Brakes2
Structure2
Electrical System2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Visibility1
Wheels1
Exterior Lighting1
Engine and Engine Cooling1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 2
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 36,000 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 328xi complaints

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

Engine · reported Oct 22, 2019
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.
Air Bags · at 36,000 miles · reported Apr 10, 2019
System restraints passenger side. Will not reset. Continues to illuminate restraint errors. Happened while driving, and stays on when parked.
Power Train · at 92,000 miles · reported Mar 14, 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…
Engine · at 40,000 miles · reported Mar 1, 2019
**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 the launch model for this generation. Bmw has corrected the design of arm in 2014 onwards model. Turbo is one of the most expensive part on these luxury cars. 2013 model owners were left to fix it on their own expense, even after they realized their design was faulty. Arms have…
Unknown or Other · at 50,000 miles · reported Oct 23, 2018
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.

Other BMW 328xi years

Compare all BMW 328xi years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 BMW 328xi have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 BMW 328xi: 26V-733 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling), 24V-608 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling), 15V-520 (exterior lighting). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW 328xi?

Owners report engine problems most often (7 reports), followed by power train (7). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 36,000 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.