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Research · Subcompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2013 BMW 1 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 51 owner complaints for the 2013 BMW 1 Series. Most complaints involve air bags (34) and engine (6). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Mar 2022
Owner complaints
51
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: crankcase (pcv)

Remedy pending

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 2, 2022NHTSA 22V119000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 15, 2020NHTSA 20V017000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported Feb 5, 2016NHTSA 16V071000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

51 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2013 – Oct 2025
  1. Air bags34
  2. Engine6
  3. Engine and engine cooling4
  4. Structure3
  5. Power train3
  6. Vehicle speed control3
  7. Service brakes2
  8. Electrical system2
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 1 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2011123
201250
201351
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

34 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was a recurring failure, and the vehicle was parked and no longer driven due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2025Air bagsODI 11696560

Engine

6 reports
“On or about 2022 I was given notice of recall which told me to go to any BMW dealer for repair. I went to Niello BMW in Sacramento. I was getting car processed and then told to summarily leave. They refused to repair my car per recall notice”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2025Structure, Service brakes, EngineODI 11688526

Engine and engine cooling

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2023Engine and engine coolingODI 11514539
All 2013 1 Series problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6) · Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
135i
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202823$3,350387
128ci Convertible
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500407
128i
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500407
135i Convertible
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192722$3,500404
128ci Convertible
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700427
128i
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182821$3,700414
135i
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
182520$3,850432
135i Convertible
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
182520$3,850433
  • 135i
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • 128ci Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 128i
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 135i Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 27 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 128ci Convertible
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • 128i
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • 135i
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 135i Convertible
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 BMW 1 Series as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 7440Vehicle 7439Vehicle 7442
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 1 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 1 Series have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 BMW 1 Series problems?

Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (34), engine (6), engine and engine cooling (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 BMW 1 Series get?

The EPA rates the 2013 BMW 1 Series at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026