2013 BMW 528I Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine problems, especially timing chain and oil pressure failures on the four-cylinder turbo engine, many of which left the car unable to restart and needing major engine work. A second cluster of complaints concerns the recall for the water pump electrical connector, where owners report smoke, burning smells or overheating while the remedy was unavailable. Airbag and restraint warning lights, water in the headlights, and drivetrain/transmission warnings round out the sample.

1. 1
   Engine

   Timing chain and oil pressure engine failure

   Mentioned in 23 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a low oil pressure warning or drivetrain malfunction message appearing while driving, followed by loss of power, stalling or an engine that will not restart. Several say the timing chain stretched or its guides and tensioner failed, in some cases damaging the engine enough that a dealer or shop recommended replacement. Some owners report being told the repair was not covered by an extended warranty because of mileage or vehicle age. Mostly reported between roughly 69,000 and 138,000 miles, often during highway or higher-speed driving.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing timing chain, oil pump chain and oil pressure history, and listen for a whine from the lower engine at startup. Check whether any timing chain warranty extension still applies by in-service date and mileage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my 2013 Bmw 528I in april 2019 with ~65k miles at the time. The drive train malfunction indicator came on and the car was driving sluggish. Per bmws request I drove it to Bmw service center. Fault codes f133b04 and f133e10. They performed calibration, tested and sent me on my way and no more warning displayed. June 2020 low oil pressure indicator came on. I took it in for service (oil change, cbs) and indicator was no longer displaying. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11366118, filed 2020-10, 83,000 miles

   “I was driving my vehicle on the highway and a drive train malfunction indicator was displayed on the screen. The car immediately lost all power and I was forced to pull over on the side of the road. I towed my vehicle to the closest certified repair shop. After the repair ran their diagnostic test, they informed me that I needed a new engine because it had seized. They also quoted me at $9,900 for a new engine. My car currently has approximately 111,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11280278, filed 2019-11, 111,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Water pump connector recall, smoke and overheating

   • 11 complaints (15%)
   • median 97,000 mi at 12.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2025

   Owners received notice of the recall for an improperly sealed electrical connector at the water pump and report that parts were not available for months. Complaints describe smoke from under the hood, a burning odor, low coolant or overheating messages, and in one case a dealer diagnosis of a failed water pump and connector. Several owners say the vehicle remained unrepaired awaiting parts. Reported across a wide mileage range, commonly above 90,000 miles, and often described as recurring.

   Recall 24V608000

   What to check: Confirm with a dealer whether recall 24V608000 has been completed on the specific vehicle, and check for coolant residue or a burnt smell around the water pump connector.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The electrical connector of the engine coolanta pump could become damaged. Small drops of liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could drip down onto the electrical connector of the pump.”

   NHTSA complaint #11621878, filed 2024-10

   “The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the engine overheated and there was white smoke coming from under the hood. The messages low coolant and engine overheating were displayed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11628779, filed 2024-12, 98,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag and restraint warning light on

   • 12 complaints (16%)
   • median 62,500 mi at 4.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners report the driver restraint or airbag warning light staying on with no impact, and dealers diagnosing seat occupancy detection or steering angle sensor faults. In one complaint the driver's airbag deployed at very low speed without a collision, and another describes airbags not deploying in a rear impact. Owners frequently mention that diagnosis and repair were not covered. Reported from very low mileage up to about 96,000 miles, sometimes shortly after purchase.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the ignition on and verify the airbag light goes out after the self-check; ask for any stored occupant-detection or steering angle sensor fault codes and whether they were repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A vehicle(SUV) ended my car in the rear in a pretty good speed when I was in the slow traffic almost stationary(5 MPH). Crash impact was high. Had to call in an ambulance as my friend sitting in passenger seat was hurt badly. As we realize after the crash, engine got stopped & airbags failed to deploy due to fault in airbag. Engine did not start later & the car was towed to a facility in prospects heights. This happened on a city highway when driving in a straight lane. Very light snow showers at that time around 6pm on 02/26.”

   NHTSA complaint #11190282, filed 2019-03, 76,952 miles

   “When making turns I hear a clicking noise. Going into turn and coming out of turn noise can be heard from the steering wheel itself. This happens only when making turns anywhere. After investigating come to my attention that the clock spring just for no reason breaks connection which make the air bag restraint light com on and you loose control of any functions on steering wheel. Functions like cruise control,radio control...etc. Connections inside a steering wheel shouldn't be snapping off if they were designed correctly in a 2013 vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11176038, filed 2019-02, 84,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Drivetrain malfunction and transmission warnings

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a drivetrain malfunction message appearing on the display, sometimes with the car dropping into neutral or limp mode while driving. Owners report repeat occurrences that clear after restarting, and dealer visits where calibration or software steps were performed without a lasting fix. A few mention transfer case replacement. Typically reported between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles, often at highway speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have a scan tool read stored drivetrain codes before purchase and ask whether the differential pressure sensor bulletin was applied. Road test at highway speed and note any hesitation or warning messages.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transfer cases went out without any indication. The vehicle had just been serviced 3 months prior by a Bmw dealer who provided me with an inspection report showing there were not problems with my car. But 3 months and 1399 miles later, after the warranty expired, the same Bmw dealer provided an inspection report saying the transfer case needed to be replaced immediately. The car was there for an unrelated issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11076804, filed 2018-03, 52,294 miles

   “My car only has 53,791 miles and the shut down twice while driving on the road. The warning popped up on my screen drivetrain malfunction. And I couldn't restart my car. I was lucky to be by the stop sign when it died and not on the 50 MPH road or freeway. When the tow truck showed up an hour later my Bmw started just fine. So, I thought it was just the recall on the thermostat. Drove it to Bmw and they just replaced the thermostat. And on my screen says all systems are ok. I drove my Bmw home and the car dead again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10859851, filed 2016-04, 53,757 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Water in headlights and lighting faults

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe condensation and standing water inside the headlight housings that damages the internal electronics, affecting leveling, turn signals and illumination, with one owner quoting a large cost for a single headlight. Another reports headlights and indicators failing in rain or after washing the car. Mostly reported around 60,000 to 96,000 miles, and worse in wet weather or after washing.

   Recall 15V188000

   What to check: Inspect both headlight housings for fogging, droplets or dried water lines and test all lighting functions, including turn signals, in wet conditions if possible.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Condensation in headlights, common in the vehicle with now fix. Water seeps through and destroys electronics, including leveling, adjusting, and turn signals. Each time it rains it becomes worse and makes visibility difficult. When the vehicle was bought it was stated to the sales department and was told it is no issue. Seen many other 5 series with same issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11359895, filed 2020-09, 61,200 miles

   “headlights faulty module no longer sealed and taking water water making all components in the headlights malfunction to repair this issue costing me 2,800.00 for ONE HEADLIGHT”

   NHTSA complaint #11442309, filed 2021-12

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the timing chain, oil pressure history and water pump recall status, since those account for most of the expensive reports here. Also confirm the airbag system and headlight housings are working before purchase, and expect an independent scan for stored codes.

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.