2013 Bmw 328i Xdrive Electrical Problems
34 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (34)
Your car was subject to a recall issued in August 2024 for an electrical system issue, but BMW has not yet provided a fix or remedy for it. You may experience electrical problems related to this unresolved recall. Contact your BMW dealer to find out when the repair will be available.
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Your BMW was brought in for a water pump recall due to a wiring harness connector issue. The dealer found corrosion and damage to the connector that could potentially cause overheating or fire, but only replaced a single wire pin instead of the entire connector or water pump. You were charged $197 for this repair, even though the recall was supposed to involve adding a protective plastic sheath over the wiring.
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You received a recall notice for your 2013 BMW 328i over a year ago, but BMW says there's no fix available yet. You're concerned this unresolved recall could affect your car's value and create a safety risk for you and your family. BMW may need to offer an alternative solution or timeline for when a repair will be available.
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BMW issued a recall for your vehicle in August 2024, but the company has not provided a timely solution or fix for the recalled issue. You may need to contact BMW directly to inquire about the status of this recall and when parts or service will be available.
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Dear NHTSA, I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my [Your BMW Model & Year]. My vehicle was recalled due to an issue with the engine coolant pump, which could lead to a short circuit and, in rare cases, a fire. •The recall was issued over a month ago, but BMW has not provided a solution or a repair date. •On March 26th, 2025, I visited an authorized BMW service center for an oil change and to address the recall, but they informed me that the necessary parts were not available and gave no timeline for the repair. •For the past three weeks, white smoke has been coming from the hood, and there is a noticeable burning smell. •I have a video documenting this issue. •My vehicle is in active use, and the problem is getting worse daily, increasing the risk of engine failure or fire. BMW’s delay in addressing this recall is putting my safety and the safety of others at risk. I request immediate action to ensure that BMW prioritizes this repair and prevents further damage to my vehicle. I would appreciate your urgent attention to this matter. Please let me know how I can proceed with this complaint. Best regards, Name: [XXX] Phone: [XXX] Vin Number : [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle's manufacturer (BMW) has failed to remedy a potentially lethal safety recall in a timely manner.
Car has been recalled since August for a fire risk and there is no ETA on any repairs
Unknown, Over time, this could lead to a short circuit and, in rare cases, a thermal event or a fire.
Water pump electrical connector
It’s been a few months with no remedy contacted the dealer and they said there’s nothing they could do right now, but I believe the connectors, causing the part not to work anymore and it’s causing other problems that’s related to this issue. I will have to hire an attorney because there’s no remedy available and it’s causing we’re on my other parts of the car. I believe this is caused other problems with the vehicle I don’t think the coolant pump is working. Is bmw going to fix related problems free of charge?that are caused from them not fixing it fast enough and causing other problems since the coolant pump has failed and bmw hasn’t offered anything or to fix the problems quick enough .
Timing chain broken, sas light on, drivetrain malfunction…
I started smelling burning oil from my engine and brought it to the mechanic. He confirmed that my car has a valve cover leak and a electrical issue. The Car dies after being left off for more then 12 hours. The car miss fire and have ruff idle. Warning lights power train came on after I had the miss fire. Had P0171 and 02 sensor code.
i was told by couple shops the my timing chain as a problem. Car will not start.....stalled out on a major intersection while my son was driving.... the car just stop working had to get it towed back to the house another expense...the car has been parked for four months and still paying the car note ..I see a drivetrains malfunction on the display... Please help me and keep my son safe.. BMW the ultimate driving machine plz make the safest driving machine.
Always get the message: right break light. I have changed the lightbulb several times and the break light fails to work. Sometimes it works and sometimes it stops working. I believe this is common problem based on you tube videos and postings on the internet. How can it be fixed?
ELECTRICAL ISSUES ,BRAKE LIGHTS , PARKING LIGHT , OIL LIGHTS , AND ETC , PURCHASED SEVERAL LIGHT HAD THEM INSTALLED , CONSTANTLY BLOWING OUT AND OTHER LIGHT CUTTING ON AND OFF . SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER A YEAR NOW OFF AND ON . NOW SURE IF THE RECALL IN 2015 WAS TAKING CARE . 2ND COMPLAINT FILED .
BRAKE LIGHT , , FLUID LIGHT , PARKING LIGHT ETC . KEEPS COMING ON , LIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT WHEN FIXED . SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRIC ISSUE FROM THE LAST RECALL
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN LATE MARCH. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO GO TO THE REPAIR SHOP MORE THAN 3 OCCASIONS. I BELIEVE THEY ARE USING FAULTY PIECES IN VEHICLES. WE SPENT 13K AND PUT DOWN 4K. NOW WORKING 2 MONTHS THE REPAIRS ARE COSTING CLOSE TO 5K IN 2 MONTHS. I UNDERSTAND BUYING USED VEHICLES AS MY FIRST CAR WAS USED. HOWEVER I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES IN 2 YEARS. I BELIEVE THIS PIECE WAS BROKEN AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPAIR THE ISSUES WITH THE CAR BASED ON COST.
DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM I STARTING TO FAIL. AT TIMES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN A DOOR FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE OF THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WHEN THE REST OF THE CAR IS UNLOCKED. CURRENTLY, THE ONLY METHOD TO UNLOCK IT WOULD BE FROM THE KEY OR THE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IN SITUATIONS WHERE ONE WOULD NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BUT THEY CANNOT BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN.
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED. THIS MAKES IT SO THAT THE DOORS DO NOT OPEN WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ALLOWING ME TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE. IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED BY PAYING THE $1500 TO FIX THE ISSUE THE DOORS WILL STOP OPENING COMPLETELY MAKING THIS EVEN MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE OVER TIME. THIS ISSUE ONLY GETS WORSE AND IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CAR. THIS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR SHOULD BE RECALLED ON ALL VEHICLES BMW MAKES THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN LONG-STANDING ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND HAS YET TO BE RECALLED EVEN THOUGH IT IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE. BMW SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROFIT OFF OF THEIR POOR SAFETY MANUFACTURING MISTAKES.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FWY. THE SYSTEM IN MY CAR ANOUNCED FOR ME TO STOP AS IT WAS DETECTING AN ERROR. I PULLED ASIDE TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED SOME TIME, TURNED ENGINE BACK ON AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CALLED TOWING SERVICES AND TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. PER MECHANIC THE MOTOR ENGINE DIED. HAD NO CAR SINCE 12/20/2018. PLEASE ASSIST INCIDENT HAPPEN ON 12/20/2019 NEAR CERRITOS CALIFORNIA. 605 S FWY AROUND 6:30AM
THE VEHICLE WAS GOING DOWN A HILL (STRAIGHT FORWARD) ON A CA CITY STREET WHEN THE DRIVER SHIFTED FROM AUTO TO MANUAL GEAR. INSTEAD OF WORKING AS EXPECTED, THE CAR UNDERWENT A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND BRAKING PROVED INEFFECTIVE. THROUGH A COUPLE SECONDS OF ATTEMPTED BRAKING WITH NO RESPONSE, THE CAR KEPT ON ACCELERATING INSTEAD. FINALLY, AFTER MAKING TWO TURNS ON THE HILL, THE CAR SPUN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AND SWERVED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET WHERE IT CRASHED THROUGH FIVE TREES AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE DRIVER LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND DELIVERED TO ER. THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS GOOD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,541. POLICY REPORT FILED.
DRIVER AND PASSENGER TRAPPED IN CAR AFTER PARKING AT AS GAS PUMP. DOORS WOULD UNLOCK BUT NOT OPEN RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL OF KILLING ITS PASSENGERS IN A CRASH. THERE IS A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE OF A SIMILAR INCIDENT.
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS OCCASIONALLY DO NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, TRAPPING ME INSIDE. PRESSING THE UNLOCK BUTTON IN THE DASHBOARD WORKS, BUT PULLING THE PHYSICAL HANDLES DOES NOT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED COOLANT, BUT THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,573.
REAR LEFT BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THAT THE GROUND WIRE ON THE CONNECTOR HAS OVER HEATED AND BROKEN.
WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BY PULLING THE HANDLE IT DOES NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IS THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR OR BY USING THE CENTRAL LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON. MY FEAR IS THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR ACCIDENT IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS COMPROMISED I COULD POSSIBLY BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP BUT THEY CLAIM THAT THE PROBLEM BEING MECHANICAL IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. ON THE BMW INTERNET FORUMS THERE ARE MULTIPLE POSTS ACROSS VEHICLE MODELS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME FAULTY "DOOR ACTUATOR" AND BMW'S UNWILLINGNESS TO REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE. I WAS QUOTED OVER $950 TO REPLACE THE PART. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED FOR THIS LOCK ISSUE TO BE REPAIRED AT LEAST 6 TIMES DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THE ISSUE HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY. AT TIMES I AM IN THE CAR WITHOUT IT RUNNING, THEN I GO TO OPEN THE DOOR AND I AM LOCKED INSIDE. THE HANDLE ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO OPEN BUT THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN. THE HANDLE LIFTS BUT DOES NOT MOVE THE LOCK. I HAVE TO USE A BUTTON ON THE CONSOLE OR THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK ALL THE DOORS ELECTRONICALLY. I FIND THIS NOT SAFE BECAUSE IF THE AUTOMOBILE DOES NOT HAVE ELECTRIC SUPPLY THE DRIVERS DOOR NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO OPEN. THIS CONCERNS ME IF THERE WAS A ACCIDENT OR URGENT NEED. I HAD SOME OTHER SUSPENSION ISSUES THAT I REPORTED. YOU COULD HEAR A LOUD SOUND AND I WAS TOLD FOR A OVER YEAR IT WAS NOT A ISSUE. FINALLY MY HUSBAND WAS GOING TO COME TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM DID OVER $6,000 IN WARRANTY REPAIR ON A FAULTY BOOT PART BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I HAD THE PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME! BMW DIAGNOSTIC AND SERVICE IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE.
LIGHT CRACKS, CHIPS, DEFECTS INSIDE OF HEADLIGHT HOUSING. VEHICLES ARE NOT THAT OLD AND THE DEFECT TENDS TO APPEAR ON ALL F30 BMW 3 SERIES MODELS. COULD WORSEN OVER TIME AND CREATE VISIBILITY ISSUES.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CAR'S IDRIVE SYSTEM SPONTANEOUSLY REBOOTED. THE SYSTEM WILL OFTEN TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO REBOOT (SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM WILL REBOOT AGAIN DIRECTLY AFTER REGAINING CONNECTIVITY OR WHILE TRYING TO REBOOT). WE HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE. BMW HAS TRIED TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE HEAD UNIT, IDRIVE SCREEN, AND THE COMBOX, ALL WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE IDRIVE SYSTEM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE DRIVER FOR THE CAR'S STATUS INCLUDING TIRE PRESSURE AND OIL LEVEL (THERE IS NO MANUAL WAY TO CHECK THE OIL). IN ADDITION, THIS SYSTEM CONTROLS THE LOW JACK COMMUNICATION, ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND ALL BLUETOOTH CAPABILITIES (HANDS FREE DRIVING IS REQUIRED IN MOST OUR STATE) IN THE AUTOMOBILE.
WHEN I STARTED THE CAR UP THE PARKING LIGHT MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS 7 DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR
MY HUSBAND WAS REFUELING OUR 2013 BMW 335I AND I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. DURING THAT PROCESS, A PICKUP TRUCK BACKED UP AND WAS CLOSE TO HITTING OUR CAR. FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT, I TRIED TO WARN THE OTHER DRIVER WITH OUR CAR'S HORN, BUT IT DID NOT WORK, SO I RESORTED TO SCREAMING AS LOUD AS POSSIBLE SINCE THE WINDOWS WERE ALSO CLOSED. FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND HEARD ME AND REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND GOT THE TRUCKS ATTENTION AND PREVENTED A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC COLLISION RIGHT NEXT TO A GAS PUMP. IT NEVER EVEN CROSSED OUR MINDS AT THE TIME THAT A HORN DID NOT OPERATE WHEN THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS SWITCHED OFF WITH THE IGNITION KEY, WHICH ONE MUST DO FOR FIRE SAFETY REASONS WHEN REFUELING. NEVERTHELESS, AFTER WE GOT HOME WE TRIED THE BMW'S HORN WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. WE TRIED OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK'S HORN WITH ITS IGNITION SWITCHED OFF, AND ITS HORN WORKED JUST FINE. I SEARCHED ON '2013 BMW HORN DOES NOT WORK'S' ON THE INTERNET AND THE SYSTEM RETURNED 18,200 RESULTS. WHILE I DID NOT READ ALL OF THEM, I FOUND NUMEROUS POSTINGS ABOUT BMW HORNS NOT WORKING WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, AS FAR BACK AS 2006. SOME INTERNET POSTINGS ADVISED HAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY AND I DRIVE SCREEN ACTIVATED, BUT THE HORN DID NOT. NEXT, I PUSHED THE START BUTTON, WITHOUT ENGAGING THE ENGINE, AND ONLY THEN DID THE HORN WORK. I CONTACTED BMW ASSIST FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SPOKE TO A BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IN COLUMBUS, OH. HE CONFIRMED THAT THE HORN IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. HE SAID HE WOULD ENTER MY CONCERN INTO THE CUSTOMER FEEDBACK DATABASE. WE THINK BEING UNABLE TO WARN DISTRACTED DRIVERS ABOUT TO CRASH INTO YOUR OCCUPIED BUT PARKED CAR IS A HAZARD AT LEAST WORTHY OF PROMINENT WARNINGS TO DRIVERS OF BMWS AND ANY OTHER VEHICLE WITH THIS "FEATURE". *JS
I WAS REARENDED, ON THE FREEWAY, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BY AN SUV GOING ABOUT 40MPH, I SLAMMED IN TO ANOTHER SUV IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG DEPLOY ERROR. ALSO, THE REASON MY CAR WAS TOTALED WAS BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ARE BEHIND THE REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND THEY WERE MELTED AFTER IMPACT. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS. LUCKILY, I WALKED AWAY WITH A SORE NECK AND FEW BRUISES, BUT IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEN THEY WERE CLEARLY SUPPOSE TO. I HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. *TR
AUTO START/STOP FUNCTION HAS MALFUNCTIONED BEFORE WHERE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR DOESN'T START AGAIN. NORMALLY I CAN JUST PRESS THE START BUTTON AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. THIS TIME, HOWEVER, I WENT TO START IT AGAIN AFTER IT HAD AN "AUTO START/STOP MALFUNCTION", AND IT WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON. AN ERROR POPPED UP SAYING "IGNITION MALFUNCTION -- DO NOT TURN ENGINE OFF. CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN." CURRENTLY WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER I HAD TO FLATBED IT. ALSO THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO NEUTRAL SO THEY HAD TO DRAG IT ON THE FLATBED. *TR
AS MY WIFE OPEN THE DOOR AND SITS , SHE PULLED THE DOOR TO CLOSE BUT IT WONT LOCK UP TRY SEVERAL TIMES TO DO IT WITH THE REMOTE BUT WONT LOCK UP. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR!!! *TR