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U.S. public vehicle records

2013 Bmw 128I problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

36 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

31,150 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 36 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues38.3%
Engine operation25.6%
Braking behavior12.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
24
Engine
4
Engine And Engine Cooling
4
Structure:Body
3
Electrical System
2
Service Brakes
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
1
Power Train
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags24
Engine4
Engine And Engine Cooling4
Structure:Body3
Electrical System2
Service Brakes2
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Power Train1

Air Bags: 24; Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Electrical System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2013
1
2014
4
2016
10
2017
10
2018
2
2022
3
2023
1
2024
2
2025
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20131
20144
201610
201710
20182
20223
20231
20242
20253

2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2016: 10; 2017: 10; 2018: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 3

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10513017 · 2013-05-21 (May 21, 2013)

I PURCHASE VEHICLE FROM BMW MAY 3,2013,WITH 40 MILES SHOWING. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO JUMP START VEHICLE TO GET IT STARTED AND OFF OF SHOW ROOM FLOOR. I ASKED ABOUT THAT AND WAS TOLD IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. AFTER TEST DRIVE AND PURCHASE I DROVE VEHICLE HOME 220 MILE. FOR THE NEXT WEEK EVERY TIME I TRIED TO START VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START AND ACTED LIKE A DEAD BATTERY. MADE A APPOINTMENT WITH SERVICE DEPT. MAY 15 AFTER DRIVING 25 MILES I HEARD A LOUD NOISE "BANG" AND SMOKE. COAST OFF HWY.STOP CAR OPEN DOOR AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER CA…

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10513017 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11157048 · 2018-12-08 (December 8, 2018)

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK/LATCH (ACTUATOR) OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT UNLOCK USING NORMAL PHYSICAL FORCE, ONLY UNLOCKS WITH ELECTRICAL ASSISTANCE FROM UNLOCK BUTTON ON DASHBOARD OR KEY FOB. COULD BE DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE BATTERY POWER IS CUT OFF (BY DESIGN) - THE OCCUPANT IS UNABLE TO EGRESS AND REMAINS TRAPPED INSIDE VEHICLE. OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THESE LOCK ACTUATORS ON OTHER DOORS AND ON OTHER MODELS (PER FORUM DISCUSSIONS). BMW WILL NOT COVER COST OF REPAIR IF OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. BMW PART NUMBER 51217202143 (SYSTE…

Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11157048 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10652205 · 2014-11-03 (November 3, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER AN UNKNOWN OBJECT AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10652205 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10899807 · 2016-08-31 (August 31, 2016)

BMW IS STALLING UNNECESSARILY AND WILL NOT FIX MY RECALLED AIRBAG(S).

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10899807 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10662107 · 2014-12-03 (December 3, 2014)

I WAS APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP... I WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DISTANCE FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. PRESSED ON BRAKES EVEN HARDER, AND CAR STILL WOULD NOT STOP. CAR GLIDED INTO SUV IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING A CRASH. IT WAS BRAKE FAILURE WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 7,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10662107 at NHTSA ↗