2013 BMW 328I Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine problems, particularly timing chain and oil pump chain wear on the four-cylinder turbo engine and white smoke from the exhaust. Electrical and cooling complaints are also common, with several owners connecting water pump and coolant issues to a later recall. Many reports arrive between roughly 60,000 and 120,000 miles, and the trend in filings is rising.

1. 1
   Engine

   Timing chain and oil pump chain wear

   • 57 complaints (22%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,000 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe whining or high-pitched noises from the lower engine, a low oil pressure warning, and in some cases a stalled engine that will not restart. Complaints state dealers or independent shops found stretched chains, broken guides or metal debris in the oil, and some were told the engine needed replacement. A few owners mention that an extended warranty existed but their repair was not covered. Mostly reported between about 34,000 and 125,000 miles, often after a whine noticed during acceleration.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a whine from the lower engine at around 3,000-4,000 rpm on a cold and warm start, and ask for records of timing chain or oil pump chain service. Ask a shop to check for a stretched chain and any warranty extension still in effect.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Noted loud whirling/whiny sound from engine. Brought to mechanic and was told timing/oil mechanism is malfunctioning. If driven further engine might seize. Valve cover was removed and timing chain found with unacceptable slack. Upon investigation I discovered Bmw na sent letters on extended warranty for my car. I have never received such letter. Contacted bmwna and they deny coverage because the car was not repaired at a dealer. I had no way of knowing it has to be. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11306376, filed 2020-01, 34,000 miles

   “Last feb, my engine light came on mid-drive, I lost power, engine began making a strange noise high-pitched noise, etc. I get it towed to p&w Bmw in n. Oakland (pittsburgh, pa). All that week, 2 or 3 tests & inspections to troubleshoot each costing about $160/ea and I was told there was a recalled part that was replaced free of charge. Later, I learned that the total estimate is about $6300. The timing chain guide broke inside the engine which damaged the timing chain, guides, oil pump and oil pump module. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11317813, filed 2020-03, 83,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Water pump and coolant connector failures

   • 47 complaints (18%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 11.9 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2026

   Complaints describe overheating, steam or smoke from under the hood, a burning smell in the cabin and warning lights, sometimes followed by a loss of power. Owners report that the water pump or its electrical connector failed, and several mention a recall on the connector while saying parts were not yet available. Others describe coolant loss traced to a vent line coupling or a leaking turbo coolant line. Mostly reported between about 37,000 and 130,000 miles, often during sustained driving.

   Recall 24V6080002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm whether the water pump connector recall (24V608000) has been performed, and check coolant level and for dried coolant residue around the pump and vent line. Ask whether the water pump has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump and water pump connector. The contact was advised to discontinue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11651328, filed 2025-03, 201,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11704595, filed 2025-12, 89,565 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   White smoke from exhaust at start-up

   • 20 complaints (8%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners report heavy white smoke from the exhaust, typically on cold start-up, sometimes with a drivetrain malfunction message. Several complaints state dealers traced the smoke to turbo feed or coolant lines, the turbocharger itself, or the head gasket, with repair quotes in the thousands. Some owners note their vehicle identification was not covered by a related campaign for the turbocharger. Often described at start-up from roughly 60,000 miles upward, on both cold and warm restarts.

   What to check: Watch the exhaust on a cold start for a persistent white plume and smell for burning oil or coolant. Ask whether turbo lines, the valve cover gasket or the head gasket have been replaced, and request any related repair invoices.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was driving on the highway in columbus, ohio when an error appeared on my screen for powertrain malfunction, please continue to drive moderately. Smoke came from my exhaust when going over 50 MPH so I pulled over. Turned the car off and back on. Error message went away. Drove 20 MPH home on side road. No smoke appeared. Started my car this morning and over huge smoke clouds (not evaporating) appeared. Called kelly Bmw to make an appointment.”

   NHTSA complaint #11361512, filed 2020-09, 109,500 miles

   “My car is a 2013 and was purchased in 2016; with milage at 78,700. On a cold start, a huge cloud of white smoke comes out of the right exhaust pipe. I took it to Bmw for a diagnostic to determine the cause of the smoke. I was told it is a turbo feed line and if that is not it then it is the turbo charger engine as a whole. I was quote $5000 for the full repair on a car. I found a recall for the same issue on the same model of car, and I spoke with Bmw about it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11340114, filed 2020-07, 78,700 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and fuel tank or fuel system leaks

   • 13 complaints (5%)
   • median 59,971 mi at 6.3 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe a strong fuel smell while filling the tank or inside the cabin, and in some cases fuel visible on the ground after the car sits. Complaints state dealers found a hairline crack or hole in the fuel tank, or diagnosed a failed fuel injection system, with some owners told the tank design had since been revised. A few report the car stalled or lost power in connection with fuel pump failure. Reported from about 44,000 to 120,000 miles, often noticed at refueling or after parking.

   What to check: Smell around the filler neck and under the rear of the car after fueling, and look for damp spots under the tank after it sits. Ask whether the fuel tank or injection system has been replaced and keep any fuel-odor concerns checked promptly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Smelling fuel when I fill my tank and also noticed fuel on the ground if parked for an extended period. Took my car in and they stated the fuel tank has a hairline crack and Bmw has since reinforced the part. Seems like they know it is prone to cracking and have made the fix but not issued a recall”

   NHTSA complaint #11299266, filed 2020-01, 62,000 miles

   “High pressure fuel pump failure caused car to cease operating. Car shut down completely while in motion. I was driving through a parking structure at the time. Ultimately, the car was towed to a dealer for repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #10991248, filed 2017-05, 57,943 miles

Buying note. These cars reward a careful pre-purchase inspection: have an independent BMW specialist check the timing chain and oil pump chain, the turbo and coolant lines, the water pump and its connector, and the fuel tank. Ask for service records and confirm whether open recalls for the water pump connector and rear lighting have been completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.