Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 BMW 1 Series problems
Owners filed 51 complaints about the 2013 BMW 1 Series with NHTSA between May 2013 and Oct 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (34).
Complaints
51
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags34
- Engine6
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Structure3
- Power train3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Service brakes2
- Electrical system2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Steering1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Other / unknown3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
5
0
14
16
5
0
0
1
3
1
2
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
34 reports2 related recalls
“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.”
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”
Engine and engine cooling
4 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Structure
3 reports1 fire
“DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK/LATCH (ACTUATOR) OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT UNLOCK USING NORMAL PHYSICAL FORCE, ONLY UNLOCKS WITH ELECTRICAL ASSISTANCE FROM UNLOCK BUTTON ON DASHBOARD OR KEY FOB. COULD BE DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE BATTERY POWER IS CUT OFF (BY DESIGN) - THE OCCUPANT IS UNABLE TO EGRESS AND REMAINS TRAPPED INSIDE VEHICLE. OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THESE LOCK ACTUATORS ON OTHER DOORS AND ON OTHER MODELS (PER FORUM DISCUSSIONS). BMW WILL NOT COVER COST OF REPAIR IF OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. BMW PART NUMBER 51217202143 (SYSTEM LATCH)”
Power train
3 reports
“See attached document for complaint.”
Vehicle speed control
3 reports
“DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND AFTER GOING ABOUT 4-5 MILES, THE BELOW WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.