The 2013 BMW 328xi has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 728,523 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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…
Consequence
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
7
POWER TRAIN
7
AIR BAGS
3
1crashes1fires2injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3
1crashes1fires2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
SERVICE BRAKES
2
1crashes
STRUCTURE:BODY
2
1crashes1fires2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1
1fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
Total complaints33
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“2013 bmw 328xi sulev. Consumer writes in regard to turbo failure. *as 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. *js”
“System restraints passenger side. Will not reset. Continues to illuminate restraint errors. Happened while driving, and stays on when parked.”
“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…”
“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…”
“Upon a complete refill of the vehicle with fuel, raw gasoline was found leaking down the tank and puddling under the car. Diagnostic inspection upon lowering the fuel tank found a defective "dummy port" seal at the top of the tank. This port was used in early models for emission control sensing.…”
“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 - "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 - "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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
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…
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2013 BMW 328xi as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.