- 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].
Vehicle safety record
2013 BMW 320I Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2013 BMW 320I with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (2) and the body, doors & structure (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in August 2015 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 2012 has 3 and the 2014 has 53.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 320I year, for its age
#232 most complained-about 2013 vehicle
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2013 BMW 320I problems
Share of all 9 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2013 BMW 320I recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The 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.
- The risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- The 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 [email protected].
What owners say
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2 people checked this vehicle in the last 30 days. Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
9 complaints about the 2013 BMW 320I
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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.
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,...
Read the full complaint
as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially. This can cause injury to the driver and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The water pump and thermostat was replaced, however, the car still does not accelerate and is in a low driving speed mode. It still shuts off unexpectedly. The issue has not been resolved. The warning signs were 'drive moderately, engine overheated, passenger safety belt, with cranking noises, no acceleration, limp mode (car is going very slow no more than 10 mph).
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.
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
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY
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
The ticking noise from the valves is terrible, the people at bmw said is normal but that noise is too much, its sounds like a diesel car
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw 320i. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle lost power to accelerate over 2800 rpms when it was placed in second gear. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 7,420. .... Updated 08/05/14 *bf updated 08/18/2014 *js
Re: tcn-kdn21-40701 on 9/17/13 I was involved in a car accident. I was unable to stop my car as it rolled down a hill - although I applied the brakes. The accident occurred as I was leaving a driveway which is positioned on a hill. Immediately prior to the accident a warning message flashed on my screen. I then heard a loud "pop" and then a "grinding" noise. As I applied the brakes the car continued rolling down the hill and the airbag popped out - knocking me unconscious. I was unable to stop the car. ...
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When my car reached the bottom of the hill, it hit the back of another car and then traveled across the highway. It's a miracle I wasn't killed! Ironically, the make/model model of my car was recalled the week after my accident. (Refer to nhtsa recall # 13v454000). Bmw checked my car after the accident and claimed that my car passed with "flying colors". This does not make sense considering that the cause of my accident was due to my inability to stop the car - yet the car was recalled due to braking problems. Bmw was also unable to provide me with an explanation regarding the grinding noise, the popping sound or why my airbag deployed prior to the crash. My car fit all of the criteria for the cars bmw were recalling. When I initially asked bmw if my car was on the recall list they first told me that they did not have the complete vin# list. When I inquired the second time - bmw claimed that my car's vin # was not on the recall list. I do not believe bmw. And the fact that bmw checked the car and claimed nothing was wrong with it is like the police policing the police. Bmw does not want to acknowledge that my car was subject to the defect that it was being recalled for which is why the accident occurred. Bmw does not want to subject it self to litigation. However, I do not accept bmw's findings because it is not objective. Bmw is lying. *Tr
BMW 320I: every year compared
All 320I years2013 BMW 320I vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 BMW 320I | 9 | 3 | F | |
| 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive | 316 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2013 BMW 328I | 289 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2013 BMW 335I | 65 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2013 BMW 335I Xdrive | 65 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2013 BMW 128I | 39 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2013 BMW 335IS | 25 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2013 BMW 135I | 15 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2013 BMW 135IS | 15 | 0 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2013 BMW 320I
Does the 2013 BMW 320I have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 BMW 320I: exterior lighting (August 2015); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (October 2014); vacuum (September 2013). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 320I?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (2), body, doors & structure (2), engine & cooling (2).
How many complaints has the 2013 BMW 320I had?
9 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 21, 2013 and the latest on January 12, 2023. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2013 BMW 320I a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 5 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical BMW 320I year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which BMW 320I years have the most complaints?
2014 (53), 2015 (34), 2013 (9). See every BMW 320I year compared.
What should I do if my 2013 BMW 320I has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data