2013 BMW 528I recalls & problems

4 recalls 73 complaints 1 investigation

4recalls
73owner complaints
1crashes reported
1fires reported
7 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2013 BMW 528I and 73 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is engine (37 reports), followed by air bags (17). NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2013 BMW 528I recalls

Electrical System · NHTSA 24V608000 · Aug 13, 2024

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short…

Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

720,796 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 15V188000 · Mar 31, 2015

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13,443 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 14V627000 · Oct 7, 2014

Problem: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive…

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

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

8,988 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 13V454000 · Sep 26, 2013

Problem: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.

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

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

76,191 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2013 BMW 528I problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine 37
112
Air Bags 17
103
Electrical System 14
000
Power Train 13
000
Engine and Engine Cooling 11
000
Unknown or Other 6
000
Exterior Lighting 4
000
Seat Belts 4
000
Steering 4
000
Service Brakes 3
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages 1
000
Structure 1
102
Tires 1
000
Vehicle Speed Control 1
000

NHTSA investigations

Latest owner complaints

Engine · Sep 13, 2025 · CA

On [XXX], Century West BMW in North Hollywood, CA performed recall 20E-A01 B120921 (DME reprogram/connector update) on my 2013 BMW 528i. Within 30 minutes of leaving the dealership, the car displayed a red “engine overheating – stop immediately” warning while I was in a crowded intersection with my child in the vehicle. This created an immediate danger to us and to…

Electrical System · Aug 14, 2025 · 107,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal burning odor. The contact stated the burning odor occurred frequently. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling,…

Engine and Engine Cooling · Aug 14, 2025 · 107,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal burning odor. The contact stated the burning odor occurred frequently. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling,…

Unknown or Other · Jun 2, 2025 · AZ

Hello my name is [XXX] and I am (was) the owner of a 2013 BMW 528i VIN [XXX] . It was a secondary vehicle for me for until I sustained an injury and it being my primary vehicle. I took it through emissions, updated the registration, and I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I had driven it without a problem then in Juneit did not run at all. At that time there was a…

Electrical System · Jun 2, 2025 · AZ

Hello my name is [XXX] and I am (was) the owner of a 2013 BMW 528i VIN [XXX] . It was a secondary vehicle for me for until I sustained an injury and it being my primary vehicle. I took it through emissions, updated the registration, and I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I had driven it without a problem then in Juneit did not run at all. At that time there was a…

Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2, 2025 · AZ

Hello my name is [XXX] and I am (was) the owner of a 2013 BMW 528i VIN [XXX] . It was a secondary vehicle for me for until I sustained an injury and it being my primary vehicle. I took it through emissions, updated the registration, and I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I had driven it without a problem then in Juneit did not run at all. At that time there was a…

Unknown or Other · Apr 22, 2025 · CA

Unrepaired recall. No remedy available for over 8 months, with manufacturer acknowledging that there could a vehicle fire in some cases.

Service Brakes · Feb 21, 2025 · GA

Unknown

Air Bags · Feb 21, 2025 · GA

Unknown

Electrical System · Feb 18, 2025 · 87,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the…

Engine and Engine Cooling · Feb 18, 2025 · 87,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the…

Engine and Engine Cooling · Jan 2, 2025 · 60,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine and entering the cabin through the vents. The engine warning light was illuminated. There were unknown messages displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The contact…

Other BMW 528I years

1979 1980 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 BMW 528I have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2013 BMW 528I, the most recent one (24V608000) for electrical system. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 528I?

Based on 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are engine (37), air bags (17), electrical system (14).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2013 BMW 528I?

Owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.

Is NHTSA investigating the 2013 BMW 528I?

NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently PE13030: Loss of power assist braking.