2013 BMW 3 Series Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 33%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,825miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2013 BMW 3 Series, 33% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,825 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“As I was approaching the on ramp for the highway, I sped up in order to merge into oncoming traffic. I depressed the gas pedal completely to the floor but the car picked up extremely slowly as if it did not have any power. I also noticed at the same time that my engine temperature seemed to be unusually low for a vehicle that had been running for over an hour. There had also been an extremely loud fan noise that would come on every 2 minutes or so. …”
NHTSA complaint #10546219, filed 2013-09, 1,825 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10508639, filed 2013-04, 3,500 miles“The car has displayed drivetrain malfunction, drive moderately twice now in less than one year of ownership. When this display has occurred, the car goes into limp mode and can only be driven at low speeds or with very sluggish acceleration. This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially.”
NHTSA complaint #10569337, filed 2014-03, 500 miles“Transmission problem resulting in violent shuddering of the vehicle body and abrupt engine stops resulting in dangerous driving conditions. Fluctuations in the tachometer when the car attempted to stop and the car would automatically change gears to neutral or park.”
NHTSA complaint #10550631, filed 2013-11, 8,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058467Apr 1, 2015Bmw: fuel gauge fails to show correct level of fuel when filling fuel tank but would update itself after driving awhile and illumination of engine malfunction lamp (mil) comes…
- 10057527Jan 1, 2015Bmw: selective catalyst reduction module (scr) has a stored fault, pressure build up is low, causing service engine soon light to illuminate. *
- 10057341Dec 1, 2014Bmw: malfunction warning light for engine is illuminated due to purge air system micro leakage and ventilation of fuel tank from contamination.
- 10057337Oct 1, 2014Bmw: due to debris entering oil passage of engine, it will knock and lose power, during cylinder head mating surfaces and cleaning of engine block after repair to engine.
- 10054641Nov 1, 2013Bmw: an erroneous message, from oil level sensor, indicating oil service is due, after traveling a short distance. Model f15, f13, f12, f10, f07, f06, f02, f01. No years listed.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 33% |
| 2012 | 3 | 43% |
| 2010 | 6 | 20% |
| 2009 | 5 | 9% |
| 2008 | 13 | 19% |
| 2007 | 22 | 19% |
| 2006 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2013 BMW 3 Series
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 BMW 3 Series
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology