Research · Compact Cars

2013 BMW 328I XdriveRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 316 owner complaints for the 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive. Most complaints involve engine (110) and electrical system (72). The EPA rates it 19–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–26mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
316
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

316 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2012 – Nov 2026
  1. Engine110
  2. Electrical system72
  3. Engine and engine cooling46
  4. Air bags46
  5. Power train38
  6. Service brakes35
  7. Fuel/propulsion system21
  8. Vehicle speed control13
  9. Structure11

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 328I Xdrive model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2011686
2012145
2013316
2014152
2015127
Crashes reported
29
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
20
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

110 reports3 crashes7 fires
“2013 BMW 328i, N20 engine. Timing chain guide assembly and oil pump drive chain failed catastrophically. Vehicle is available for inspection, however the authorized BMW dealership has already made clear they will accept no responsibility, and I would bear the expense of towing it two hours to their facility. The failure is a known issue with a class action case, but BMW took no responsibility, and falsified information stating the vehicle showed no signs of an issue when I brought my vehicle in for inspection. Eighteen months before failure, steam came from the engine compartment on a humid day, later connected to the water pump electrical connector recall. Following this, the vehicle ran consistently hotter than normal and lost noticeable power. Twelve months before failure, an intermittent oil pressure warning began triggering under load at highway speeds, particularly on inclines above 70mph. I brought the vehicle to Sandia BMW in Albuquerque, NM and reported all symptoms when I was contacted by them for the recall. The service advisor falsely claimed elevated operating temperature was optimal, suspected a faulty sensor, and returned the vehicle without…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11723979

Electrical system

72 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The contact owned a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving through a drive-thru, smoke and flames emerged from underneath the hood. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased eight days prior to the failure. The contact researched and discovered an unrepaired recall associated with the VIN. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2026Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11775168

Engine and engine cooling

46 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated, and multiple warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle lost power and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the water pump and electrical plug connector had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact requested reimbursement for the cost of the repair that was performed prior to the safety recall, but the dealer informed the contact that the reimbursement claim was denied. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the manufacturer also denied the reimbursement claim. The approximate failure mileage was 89,565.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2025Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 11704595
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
All-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 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
328i xDrive
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
223226$3,000325
328i Coupe xDrive
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850442
328i Coupe xDrive
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
162519$4,050461
  • 328i xDrive
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $3,000/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • 328i Coupe xDrive
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 328i Coupe xDrive
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
—/ 5
Not rated
BMW 328 I Xdrive 2 DR AWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.3%
Overall
5 / 5
BMW 328 I Xdrive 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7296Vehicle 7294
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 328I Xdrive questions

How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive problems?

Owners filed 316 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (110), electrical system (72), engine and engine cooling (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive get?

The EPA rates the 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive at 19–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026