Most common 2013 BMW 328xi problems
Share of the 27 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 328xi complaints by model year
Best 328xi years: 2012, 2006, 2009. Years to avoid: 2007, 2011, 2008, 2013. Compare all years →
2013 BMW 328xi recalls (2)
Electrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles
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.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior lighting
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,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 BMW 328xi:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2013 BMW 328xi owners say
Engine & cooling
Error - "drivetrain malfunction: drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center." this was taken to the dealer (BMW of silver spring, md) at first. They said it was thermostat issue. So, they installed a new thermostat and I paid my $100 deductible. The same error started appearing again just a few days later. The car suddenly shudders, jolts and shifts from eco mode to comfort mode if driving on freeway. If the error appears when the car is parked, the car does not switch from park mode to drive mode until you totally you shut down the engine, then restart and drive out immediately. Instantly, it shows "drivetrain malfunction" error on screen. The engine make a groaning noise. You can feel the power of the engine is significantly reduced. You have to hit the accelerator pedal deep to extract power out of the engine. …
**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 broken in less than 4 years (less than 40K miles). BMW should be pressed to accept fault and pay back customers who were made to pay themselves. An inquiry should also be requested for how many cars did BMW fix for the same issue while the vehicle was under original warranty. …
Transmission & drivetrain
Error - "drivetrain malfunction: drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center." this was taken to the dealer (BMW of silver spring, md) at first. They said it was thermostat issue. So, they installed a new thermostat and I paid my $100 deductible. The same error started appearing again just a few days later. The car suddenly shudders, jolts and shifts from eco mode to comfort mode if driving on freeway. If the error appears when the car is parked, the car does not switch from park mode to drive mode until you totally you shut down the engine, then restart and drive out immediately. Instantly, it shows "drivetrain malfunction" error on screen. The engine make a groaning noise. You can feel the power of the engine is significantly reduced. You have to hit the accelerator pedal deep to extract power out of the engine. …
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 decided to put the car in park. The computer should not put the car in park if the car is fully underway.
Air bags
On December 1st I was rearended at interstate speed (65 miles per hour) just prior to impact I had turned my steering wheel to the right to lessen the impact to the vehicle in front of me. However it is clear from the damage to my vehicle that my car made contact on the driver side corner with the bridge as well as the entire passenger side of the vehicle made significant contact with the car in front of me. My car had been at a complete stop. No airbags went off causing me to suffer serious head injuries and scull fractures. In addition, upon impact, my car burst into flames. I was pulled unconscious from my burning car by bystanders with only moments to spare
Takata inflators BMW service center say they don't have the parts available and don't know when. Isn't this dangerous that they don't quickly act on it and replace our parts? What if we get into an accident/ I would like to file a compliant on their inefficiency in trying to resolve this issue and request for them to get the parts asap.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 BMW 328xi a good car?
Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 328xi rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the 328xi at the same age. It is one of the 328xi years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW 328xi?
The engine & cooling — 8 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (7) and air bags (3).
How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 328xi have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2013 BMW 328xi, the most recent from August 13, 2024 (connectors/plugs/receptacles). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 328xi?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2006 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2011, 2008 and 2013. See the full BMW 328xi years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 BMW 328xi problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 36,000 miles; 88% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.