ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP
2013 BMW 328XI
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 BMW 328XI, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 9 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 2 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 3 |
| Jun 2014 | 2 | 5 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 6 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 7 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 8 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 9 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 10 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 11 |
| Dec 2016 | 2 | 13 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 14 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 15 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 16 |
| Mar 2018 | 2 | 18 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 19 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 20 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 21 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 22 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 23 |
| Mar 2019 | 2 | 25 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 26 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 27 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine826.7%
- Powertrain (other)723.3%
- Airbags310.0%
- Electrical26.7%
- Brakes26.7%
- Body & structure26.7%
- Fuel system26.7%
- Visibility13.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11270755
- Incident
- Oct 22, 2019
SYSTEM RESTRAINTS PASSENGER SIDE. WILL NOT RESET. CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE RESTRAINT ERRORS. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, AND STAYS ON WHEN PARKED.
- NHTSA ID
- 11195515
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2019
- Mileage
- 36,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11186915
- Incident
- Feb 26, 2019
- Mileage
- 92,000 mi
**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. BMW BLOGS ARE FULL OF SAME ACTUATOR ARM ISSUE. I WORK IN AUTOMOTIVE FIELD IN DETROIT. SIMILAR ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AGAINST OTHER BRANDS FOR SIMILAR ISSUES. I KNOW MORE THAN 2 PEOPLE WHO FACED THE SAME ISSUE, WHICH PUSHED ME TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE FURTHER. THANK YOU! GOD BLESS!
- NHTSA ID
- 11183568
- Incident
- Nov 8, 2017
- Mileage
- 40,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11142291
- Incident
- Oct 22, 2018
- Mileage
- 50,000 mi
JERKING WITH CHANGES OF LOWER GEARS (AUTOMATIC) ON CITY STREETS LOSS OF TRACTION IN INCLIMATE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TRANFER CASE REPLACED AT 55K BELIEVE IT TO BE FAILING AGAIN
- NHTSA ID
- 11118370
- Incident
- Nov 8, 2016
- Mileage
- 46,000 mi
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. THE CAP OVER THE SEAL WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED ALLOWING FUEL TO SPILL OUT THE TOP OF THE TANK. WHEN IN MOTION THIS FUEL BLOWS ONTO THE HOT MUFFLER AND POSES A POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC FIRE
- NHTSA ID
- 11112816
- Incident
- Jul 17, 2018
- Mileage
- 85,580 mi
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 TACHOMETER (THE RIGHT DIAL ON DASHBOARD) MOVES UP IN THE REGION OF 3X1000 TO 4X1000 /MIN RANGE EVEN TO GET TO A SPEED OF 30 MILES/HOUR. SO, WHEN DRIVING MODERATELY, IT CAN SUDDENLY STALL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK ON CITY ROADS AS ONE CAN GET HIT AND BE REAR-ENDED BY A CAR FROM BEHIND WITH YOUR FAMILY INSIDE THE CAR. I FEEL MUCH UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR NOW. BMW SHOULD FIX THIS DRIVETRAIN ERROR ON INSTALL A NEW ENGINE ALTOGETHER. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A RECURRENT ERROR, AND IT DOES NOT GO AWAY. I AM LOSING FAITH IN BMW.
- NHTSA ID
- 11100654
- Incident
- Jun 8, 2018
- Mileage
- 38,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Butt connector for repairing a plug connection. The ?top up coolant? message is displayed in the central display (CC message ID 166). When checking the cooling system there are no leaks found and the expansion tank is filled to the proper level.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
SERVICE BRAKES
Visual Inspection of Brake discs/Rotors for new car deliveries
EQUIPMENT
Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.