The Lemon IndexAll cars · BMW 3 Series · 2013
2013 BMW 3 Series. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 14
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S8) | RWD | 23 / 33 / 26 | Premium | $3,000 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 22 / 33 / 26 | Premium | $3,000 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S8) | AWD | 22 / 32 / 26 | Premium | $3,000 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | AWD | 22 / 33 / 26 | Premium | $3,000 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | AWD | 16 / 25 / 19 | Premium | $4,050 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Auto (S8) | RWD | 23 / 32 / 26 | Premium | $3,000 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Auto (S8) | AWD | 20 / 30 / 24 | Premium | $3,200 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | AWD | 20 / 28 / 23 | Premium | $3,350 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 19 / 27 / 22 | Premium | $3,500 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | AWD | 18 / 26 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 11,100 and 78,700 miles. Median 48,000, from 239 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 59,000 | 17,500–83,800 | 85 |
| Electrical | 65,500 | 21,000–108,000 | 33 |
| Airbags | 44,500 | 12,000–67,000 | 28 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 38,000 | 5,200–72,500 | 41 |
| Engine | 108,000 | 78,200–137,200 | 16 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 29% |
| Engine | 27% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 22% |
| Airbags | 19% |
| Speed control | 11% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 396 | 39 | 10 | 21 | 0 | 38 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 5
24V608000 Aug 2024 Engine And Engine Cooling / Cooling System / Pump
Defect. 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.
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.
20V017000 Jan 2020 Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDr
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
15V520000 Aug 2015 Exterior Lighting
Defect. 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 parkin
Risk. 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.
14V627000 Oct 2014 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Power Assist / Vacuum / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Defect. 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.
Risk. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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.
13V454000 Sep 2013 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Power Assist / Vacuum
Defect. 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.
Risk. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Desiccated air bag inflator rupture | 2021 | – |
| Closed | Pedestrian alert sounds | 2023 | 2023 |
| Closed | Loss of power assist braking | 2013 | 2013 |
Manufacturer communications 638
BMW filed 638 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Engine Oil Quick Reference Chart and Drain Plug Torque: The current version of ISTA/D has an…
- BUZZING NOISE FROM VALVETRONIC MOTOR BEFORE OR AFTER ENGINE OPERATION: Buzzing noise may be heard
- ?Various Check Control Messages Caused by Shorted K- CAN This Service Information bulletin…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 328 I C RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 328 I 2 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 328 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 328 I Xdrive 2 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 328 I Xdrive 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
YouTube repair topics
87 videos about the 2012–2018 BMW 3 Series (F30), 33.5M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Timing chain & engine | 6 | 2.3M |
| Brakes & ABS | 8 | 1.6M |
| Oil changes & service | 4 | 1.4M |
| No-start: theft light, key & ignition | 2 | 1.2M |
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 4 | 819K |
| Oil leaks & gaskets | 3 | 608K |
| Transmission & shifter | 1 | 457K |
| Windows, doors & mirrors | 1 | 240K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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