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2013 BMW Active Hybrid 3Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 2013 BMW Active Hybrid 3, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 15V-520 the manufacturer reports only 91% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 91%Owner complaints80 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage18kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 28, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2013 BMW Active Hybrid 3 has problems

8 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
Air bags40
Electrical system20
Engine20
Seat belts20
Fuel/propulsion system10
Service brakes10
Power train10

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

1 recall

2013 BMW Active Hybrid 3 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 →

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 Active Hybrid 3 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 Active Hybrid 3 median. How we score

'12'13'14'15
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2013 BMW Active Hybrid 3 safety ratings

2013 BMW Active Hybrid 3 4 DR RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
  • Rollover: 5 stars (9.5% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: Optional
In owners' words

What Active Hybrid 3 owners report

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

WASTE GATE RATTLE OR TURBO RATTLE, THE VEHICLE RATTLES DURING COLD START, RATTLE UPON DECELERATION,LOSS OF POWER, CHECK ENGINE ILLUMINATION, MANUFACTURE SPECIFIC OBD TROUPE CODE P30FF, ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF AND OFF AFTER REFILLING GAS.THE TURBO CHARGER MUST BE REPLACED.
Complaint 11154633 · Nov 28, 2018
DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE WITH A WOMEN'S PURSE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SINCE THAT TIME, I GET TWO FAULT MESSAGES EVERY TIME I START THE CAR, REGARDING AN ERROR IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM. MESSAGE STATES TO ENSURE PASSENGER WEARS SEAT BELT AS THEY AIR BAG MAY NOT…
Complaint 10970751 · Apr 5, 2017 · 60,000 miles
THE VEHICLE COMPUTER STATES THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG(S). I HAVE DROPPED OFF THE CAR AT THE DEALER AND ITS BEEN A WEEK NOW AND THERE IS NO SOLUTION YET. I READ A SIMILAR ISSUE FROM ANOTHER 2013 ACTIVEHYBRID 3 OWNER ON THIS SITE. DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT'S A RARE CASE AND…
Complaint 10568756 · Mar 12, 2014 · 18,000 miles

Own a 2013 Active Hybrid 3?

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