BMW 320I · model year

2013 BMW 320I

13 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013BMW320I carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 320I is power train with 2 filings, followed by air bags (2) and structure:body (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2013 320I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

13
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN2
AIR BAGS2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
ENGINE2
SERVICE BRAKES1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
SEAT BELTS1

Recalls (3)

13V45400026/09/2013

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014

15V52000017/08/2015

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicl

14V62700007/10/2014

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X

Recent Complaints

20230112ENGINE

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 320I. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe due to engine oil leaking into the catalytic converter. As a result, the catalytic converted became clogged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil check valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Mileage: 76,000

20220112AIR BAGS

engine overheating, passenger safety belt, failed speed control (difficulty accelerating) Due to these issues and malfunctions; it causes injury to the driver as the airbags/seat belts are not stable. If the car suddenly stops it can injure the driver. The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, vehicle loses power/ says to drive moderately or stop driving/ the car drives slow does not past 35 mph, the car goes into 'limp mode' (less than 10 mph) it goes in a very low speed with no acceleration; This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially. This can cause injury to the driver and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The water pump and thermostat was replaced, however, the car still does not accelerate and is in a low driving speed mode. It still shuts off unexpectedly. The issue has not been resolved. The warning signs were 'drive moderately, engine overhea

20220112SEAT BELTS

engine overheating, passenger safety belt, failed speed control (difficulty accelerating) Due to these issues and malfunctions; it causes injury to the driver as the airbags/seat belts are not stable. If the car suddenly stops it can injure the driver. The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, vehicle loses power/ says to drive moderately or stop driving/ the car drives slow does not past 35 mph, the car goes into 'limp mode' (less than 10 mph) it goes in a very low speed with no acceleration; This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially. This can cause injury to the driver and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The water pump and thermostat was replaced, however, the car still does not accelerate and is in a low driving speed mode. It still shuts off unexpectedly. The issue has not been resolved. The warning signs were 'drive moderately, engine overhea

20220112ENGINE

engine overheating, passenger safety belt, failed speed control (difficulty accelerating) Due to these issues and malfunctions; it causes injury to the driver as the airbags/seat belts are not stable. If the car suddenly stops it can injure the driver. The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, vehicle loses power/ says to drive moderately or stop driving/ the car drives slow does not past 35 mph, the car goes into 'limp mode' (less than 10 mph) it goes in a very low speed with no acceleration; This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially. This can cause injury to the driver and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The water pump and thermostat was replaced, however, the car still does not accelerate and is in a low driving speed mode. It still shuts off unexpectedly. The issue has not been resolved. The warning signs were 'drive moderately, engine overhea

20200814STRUCTURE:BODY

REVERSE LIGHT HOUSING FALLS OUT. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS STATING IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW AND DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE. POTENTIAL HAZARD IF HOSING FALLS OFF ON HIGHWAY OR LACK OF A REVERSE LIGHT.

20200814EXTERIOR LIGHTING

REVERSE LIGHT HOUSING FALLS OUT. MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS STATING IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW AND DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE. POTENTIAL HAZARD IF HOSING FALLS OFF ON HIGHWAY OR LACK OF A REVERSE LIGHT.

20200711STRUCTURE:BODY

FRONT DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE AND CAN'T USE KEY TO INTER MANUALLY, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF EMERGENCY AND CAN'T GET INTO THE CAR EASILY

20200130AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY

Mileage: 114,000

20191106POWER TRAIN

HELLO I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL ON A MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE WERE THE ENGINE STALLS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN AND INTERNAL PARTS THAT GIVES THE ENGINE POWER. MY CAR SHOWED AND EMERGENCY INDICATOR LIGHT THAT SAID ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW AND TO CAREFULLY STOP AND STOP ENGINE OF RISK OF DAMAGE. THEN ANOTHER INDICATOR THAT STATED ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOT. THIS WAS DONE AND THE CAR TOWED AND NOW THE ENGINE HAS A KNOCKING NOISE SO NOT DRIVING IT. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU ASAP AS THERE TELLING ME AT BMW THAT THAT RECALL IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SINCE TO ME. THANKS AGAIN

Mileage: 93,000

20190103FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE TICKING NOISE FROM THE VALVES IS TERRIBLE, THE PEOPLE AT BMW SAID IS NORMAL BUT THAT NOISE IS TOO MUCH, ITS SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL CAR

20140519POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 320I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER TO ACCELERATE OVER 2800 RPMS WHEN IT WAS PLACED IN SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,420. .... UPDATED 08/05/14 *BF UPDATED 08/18/2014 *JS

Mileage: 7,420

20131121CrashSERVICE BRAKES

RE: TCN-KDN21-40701 ON 9/17/13 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR AS IT ROLLED DOWN A HILL - ALTHOUGH I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS LEAVING A DRIVEWAY WHICH IS POSITIONED ON A HILL. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED ON MY SCREEN. I THEN HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN A "GRINDING" NOISE. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING DOWN THE HILL AND THE AIRBAG POPPED OUT - KNOCKING ME UNCONSCIOUS. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN MY CAR REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, IT HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR AND THEN TRAVELED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. IT'S A MIRACLE I WASN'T KILLED! IRONICALLY, THE MAKE/MODEL MODEL OF MY CAR WAS RECALLED THE WEEK AFTER MY ACCIDENT. (REFER TO NHTSA RECALL # 13V454000). BMW CHECKED MY CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND CLAIMED THAT MY CAR PASSED WITH "FLYING COLORS". THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE CONSIDERING THAT THE CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO MY INABILITY TO STOP THE CAR - YET THE C

20131121CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

RE: TCN-KDN21-40701 ON 9/17/13 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR AS IT ROLLED DOWN A HILL - ALTHOUGH I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS LEAVING A DRIVEWAY WHICH IS POSITIONED ON A HILL. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED ON MY SCREEN. I THEN HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN A "GRINDING" NOISE. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING DOWN THE HILL AND THE AIRBAG POPPED OUT - KNOCKING ME UNCONSCIOUS. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN MY CAR REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, IT HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR AND THEN TRAVELED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. IT'S A MIRACLE I WASN'T KILLED! IRONICALLY, THE MAKE/MODEL MODEL OF MY CAR WAS RECALLED THE WEEK AFTER MY ACCIDENT. (REFER TO NHTSA RECALL # 13V454000). BMW CHECKED MY CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND CLAIMED THAT MY CAR PASSED WITH "FLYING COLORS". THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE CONSIDERING THAT THE CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO MY INABILITY TO STOP THE CAR - YET THE C

Compare 2013BMW320I to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 BMW 320I have?
The 2013 BMW 320I has 13 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 BMW 320I?
Yes, the 2013 BMW 320I has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 320I?
The most-complained component for the 2013 BMW 320I is POWER TRAIN with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2013 BMW 320I safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.