2013 BMW 3 Series Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 29%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,382miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 BMW 3 Series, 29% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,382 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.
“Heard noise and the car starting shaking and then car died on me and service on middle of nowhere and I starts the car back but it got stalled many times and it was shifting the gear to neutral it was a bad experience I could had an accident brand new Bmw.”
NHTSA complaint #10500706, filed 2013-02, 2,515 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 miles“The subject vehicle accelerated unexpectedly when the car was slowly turning into a parking space in a parking lot. The driver had to suddenly press very hard on the brake in order to stop the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10494881, filed 2013-01, 2,250 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10059011Jun 1, 2015On the transmission side, there is a transmission fluid leak around the oil cooler lines.
- 10058551Jun 1, 2015Bmw: on transmission side, in some vehicles, the transmission fluid is leaking around the area of the oil cooler lines causing unfavorable cooling line connection tolerances to…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 29% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 3 | 12% |
| 2001 | 3 | 8% |
| 2000 | 35 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2013 BMW 3 Series
7 complaintsEngine
7 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 31, 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