2013 Bmw 528XI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
56 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
80,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 56 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 8 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.6% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.8% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 32 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Engine: 32; Power Train: 15; Electrical System: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Exterior Lighting: 5; Air Bags: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 26 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2017: 2; 2018: 6; 2019: 8; 2020: 10; 2021: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 6; 2024: 3; 2025: 10; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 11058346 · 2018-01-03 (January 3, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528XI. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO UNION PARK BMW IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11058346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11373270 · 2020-11-06 (November 6, 2020)
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF REST (30MINS-1HR) AND A COUPLE TIMES ON EXTENDED DRIVES(2+ HOURS) CAR STALLS OUT THE FIRST 6 TIMES CAME UP WITH POWER TRAIN AND FUEL MODULE CODES TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND TIMING CHAIN ISSUE APPEARED FIX TILL IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN NO LONGER THROWING CODES
Owner-reported narrative. 80,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11373270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11326467 · 2020-05-29 (May 29, 2020)
BMW ENGINE N20B20 KNOWN TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. THE CAR IN QUESTION IS 2013 BMW 528I XDRIVE, 4 CYL. TURBO ENGINE, AUTOMATIC, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, SEDAN. I WAS AT WORK AND STARTED DRIVING HOME, GOT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, HIT 65 MPH AND IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED BY THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY THAT THERE IS POWERTRAIN ISSUE AND TO PULL OVER AND CALL SERVICE. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR HOME AND THEN AGAIN TO THE SERVICE SINCE IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD 77130 MILES ON THE CAR AT THE MOMENT. I GOT CALL FROM THE SERVICE THIS MORNING 05/29/2020 WHERE THEY STATED: CAR HAD 3 QUAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 77,130 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11637329 · 2025-01-21 (January 21, 2025)
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11637329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11013830 · 2017-08-08 (August 8, 2017)
MY CARE HAS 30000 MILES; WARRANTY EXPIRED IN NOV 2016. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR VERY WELL. I GOT A WARNING SIGN THAT READ 'PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION'. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID THE SZL (STEERING ANGLE SENSOR) AND THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT HAVE TO BE REPLACED. IN READING SEVERAL THREADS I THINK THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT THAT IS NOT ADDRESSED BY BMW. I AM UNCLEAR AS TO WHY A RESTRAINT SYSTEM ISSUE DOESN'T FALL UNDER SAFETY WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR COVERAGE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11013830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11113220 · 2018-07-24 (July 24, 2018)
MY WIFE WAS TURNING HEAR STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A "CLICK" AND THEN SHE GOT SOME LIGHTS ON HER DASHBOARD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE "CLOCK SPRING" FAILED. FROM READING ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON FAILURE WITH 2013 BMW 5 SERIES. IT IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NO LONGER OPERABLE (HORN, AIRBAG OR ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL).
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11113220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10984870 · 2017-05-11 (May 11, 2017)
DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY ERROR, CAR LOST POWER AS DRIVING AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I HAD TO HAVE FLATBED TOW TRUCK COME AND GET VEHICLE AND TAKE TO DEALERSHIP, THIS PARTICULAR ERROR IS WIDELY REFERENCED BY BMW OWNERS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR, COULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR ACCIDENT HAD I BEEN PULLING INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC, COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW, HAD 50K MI INSPECTION AND CURRENTLY HAS 98K MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10984870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11219660 · 2019-06-13 (June 13, 2019)
TRANSMISSION TOTAL FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED AROUND AROUND 55,00 OIL CHAIN PUMP & TIMING CHAIN RESULTING IN A TOTAL MOTOR FAILURE AT 72000 CAR HAS BEEN NON OP FOR A YEAR
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11219660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478921 · 2022-08-12 (August 12, 2022)
The engine timing chain failed due to faulty plastic guide around the timing chain which gets brittle and brakes in the engine causing catastrophic engine failure. Our safety and the safety of others on the Parkway was put at HIGH RISK because the car goes into some safe mode and puts itself into PARK!! This three lane parkway has no shoulder to pull over on at all! So we were blocking the entire lane during rush hour traffic in NYC!! This problem was confirmed by the BMW dealership where the car is now, and they are fully aware of this iss…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478921 at NHTSA ↗