repaired · 2018 Q4
Exterior lighting
Risk. The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
2013 BMW 528xiProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 56 owner complaints about the 2013 BMW 528xi, most often about the engine. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 15V-188 the manufacturer reports only 69% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 24, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 BMW 528xi has problems
56 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
32Engine
16Power train
13Electrical system
6Engine and engine cooling
5Exterior lighting
2Air bags
2Fuel/propulsion system
1Seats
1Steering
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 32 | 0 |
| Power train | 16 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 13 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2013 BMW 528xi 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.
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.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
80kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 21 engine complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.
2under 30k miles18under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other 528xi 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 528xi median. How we score
'08'09'10'12'13'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2013 BMW 528xi safety ratings
2013 BMW 528 XI 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 5 stars (9.3% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What 528xi owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I am submitting this report to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a safety‑related defect involving the BMW N20/N26 engine timing chain assembly. My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine failure at highway speed due to a timing chain malfunction. This failure…
My 2013 BMW 528i was serviced under recall 24V-608 (Coolant Pump Electrical Connector / DME). After the recall was marked complete, the car developed several serious failures: Coolant Pump / Connector (Recall Item) – The dealer refused to replace the coolant pump even though the recall notice from…
The timing chain became stretched so that the valve timing with the pistons had been altered so that a valve face almost hit the top of a piston(one more tooth on the intake camshaft gear would have caused an impact between the piston top and a valve face causing the motor to stall and cease…
Own a 2013 528xi?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.