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2013 BMW 320iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 9 owner complaints about the 2013 BMW 320i, most often about the structure. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-520 the manufacturer reports only 91% of affected cars repaired.

2013 BMW 320i
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 91%Owner complaints91 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Structure

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 12, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Ghostofakina, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2013 BMW 320i has problems

9 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure20
Engine20
Power train20
Air bags20
Service brakes, hydraulic11
Seat belts10
Service brakes11
Exterior lighting10
Fuel/propulsion system10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2013 BMW 320i recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

91%repaired · 2017 Q1

Exterior lighting

Recall 15V-520 · Aug 17, 2015 · 7,727 vehicles · 7,069 repaired

Risk. If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

94%repaired · 2016 Q1

Power assist: vacuum

Recall 14V-627 · Oct 7, 2014 · 8,988 vehicles · 8,466 repaired

Risk. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

97%repaired · 2015 Q2

Power assist: vacuum

Recall 13V-454 · Sep 26, 2013 · 76,191 vehicles · 73,576 repaired

Risk. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2013 vs. every other 320i year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 320i median. How we score

'77'78'79'80'82'00'01'02'03'04'05'12'13'14'15'16'17'18
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2013 BMW 320i, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
  2. Loss of power assist brakingPE13030 · closed Oct 25, 2013
    Led to recall 13V-454
In owners' words

What 320i owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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.
Complaint 11349335 · Aug 14, 2020
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
Complaint 11338821 · Jul 11, 2020

Own a 2013 320i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.