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BMW 128IModel year report

2013 BMW 128I Problems

Compared with other BMW 128I years

Typical for this model

56/100 1.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2012

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
36filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
31,150miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 19 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 BMW 128I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2013 BMW 128I. The part named most often is air bags, with 24 complaints (67% of the total), followed by engine (4) and engine cooling (4). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 69% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 31,150 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 15 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Compared with the other 3 BMW 128I model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 56 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “I began the process of buying a new Bmw in december 2015. Now that I can devote time to the process, I called Bmw westchester, ny and told I can not order my new Bmw due to the 2013 Bmw having a recall. There is no remedy for faulty airbags at this time. Therefore I am stuck with a Bmw that is now financed by Bmw, that has airbags that could explode at anytime. This airbag issue has been going on since 2014............Bmw needs to be proactive!!!!!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #10845897, filed 2016-03, 54,000 miles

Engine: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11688526, filed 2025-09

Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128i. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, she smelled a strong burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact stated that the strong burning odor caused her to collapse once. The contact sought medical assistance and was informed that her brain was not getting enough oxygen. The contact stopped driving the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle in the driveway, she saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11466120, filed 2022-05, 75,001 miles

Body and structure: “I purchase vehicle from Bmw may 3,2013,with 40 miles showing. The dealership had to jump start vehicle to get it started and off of show room floor. I asked about that and was told it happens all the time. After test drive and purchase I drove vehicle home 220 mile. For the next week every time I tried to start vehicle it would not start and acted like a dead battery. Made a appointment with service dept. May 15 after driving 25 miles I heard a loud noise bang and smoke. Coast off hwy.stop car open door and saw flames coming out from under car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10513017, filed 2013-05, 300 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

69% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,800 and 54,000 miles.

31%0–1015%10–2523%25–508%50–7523%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 31,150 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2013201420161020171020182022202320242025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 BMW 128I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
128i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual192822$3,750
128i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182821$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 BMW 128I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 15 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 15 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 128I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20133631,1503—2256 · TypicalRising
20123130,5005—2244 · TypicalFalling
20115087,0007—2259 · TypicalStable
20102295,0007—22—Rising
20092672,8796—2122 · FewerFalling
20081867,4126—21—Falling

All BMW 128I model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 BMW 128I have?

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2013 BMW 128I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 BMW 128I is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 24 complaints (67% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2013 BMW 128I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 BMW 128I get?

The EPA rates the 2013 BMW 128I (128i, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 BMW 128I reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 31,150 miles and the middle half falls between 7,800 and 54,000 miles; 69% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.