As my wife open the door and sits , she pulled the door to close but it wont lock up try several times to do it with the remote but wont lock up. Afraid to drive car!!! *tr
2013 BMW 328i electrical problems
severe 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 32 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 5 model years of BMW 328i in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Door lock actuators frequently fail, trapping occupants inside—a serious safety issue BMW has not recalled despite widespread complaints. Multiple electrical gremlins plague these cars: horn inoperative when parked, brake lights failing repeatedly, and a critical coolant pump recall from August 2024 still lacks available parts and repairs over six months later.
Door lock actuator failures are the most frequent complaint in this cluster. Owners report that the physical door handle pulls but the door won't unlock from inside; they must use the central console button or key fob to exit. Multiple owners describe feeling trapped, raising legitimate concerns about escape during an accident or electrical failure. One owner reported the issue worsening over two years; quotes for replacement run $950–$1,500, and dealerships deny warranty coverage despite this being a safety-critical component. BMW has not issued a recall.
The horn fails completely when the engine is off—a feature confirmed by BMW customer service as "operating as designed." One owner nearly faced a collision at a gas pump because the horn wouldn't sound; searching online revealed 18,200+ results dating back to 2006 on BMW forums.
Recall 24V-608 (coolant pump wiring harness corrosion risk) was issued in August 2024 but remains unrepaired months later. Parts are unavailable. One owner reported white smoke and burning smell for three weeks; another was charged $197 to replace a single corroded wire instead of the entire connector.
Chronic electrical failures plague brake lights, parking lights, and warning lights—bulbs blow out repeatedly, suggesting grounding issues. One owner's rear left brake light connector showed overheated and broken ground wire.
Owners also report airbag deployment failure during collision, sudden acceleration with brake failure, engine stalls with no-restart, and rough running caused by valve cover leaks and misfires.
Same BMW 328i electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Door Lock Actuator Failure
Door lock actuators fail, preventing doors from opening when pulled from inside. Driver cannot exit vehicle using the door handle alone; must use central unlock button or key fob. In event of electrical system failure, occupant could be trapped.
When: Occurs intermittently, worsens over time; one owner reported increasing frequency over two years
Symptoms owners cite: Door handle pulls but door does not unlock; Cannot open driver or passenger doors from inside by pulling handle; Doors unlock electronically but physical handles inoperative; Occupants trapped inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Owners quoted $950–$1,500 for door lock actuator replacement; dealerships claim mechanical failure not covered under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite widespread complaints across forums and multiple model years; BMW claims issue is mechanical, not warranty-covered
Horn Inoperative When Engine Off
Horn does not function when ignition is switched off. Horn only works when engine is running or start button is pressed without engaging engine. Owner reports 18,200+ internet search results for this issue dating back to 2006 on BMW forums.
When: When vehicle is parked with ignition off
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not sound when engine is off; Horn works only when engine is running or in accessory mode; Unable to warn other drivers of imminent collision while refueling
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: BMW customer service confirmed horn operates as designed; complaint entered into customer feedback database
Engine Coolant Pump Electrical Short / Fire Risk Recall Delay
Recall 24V-608 issued for wiring harness connector corrosion and damage at coolant pump, with potential for thermal event or fire. Parts unavailable; dealerships unable to provide repair timeline. One owner reports white smoke from hood and burning smell for three weeks after recall issued; another owner's single wire replaced and charged for repair despite corrosion being recall issue.
When: Recall issued August 2024; at least three months to over one year without remedy available
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke from engine hood; Burning smell; Corrosion and damage visible at water/coolant pump connector; Engine or coolant warning indicators
Repairs/costs cited: One owner charged $197 to replace single corroded wire pin instead of entire connector; parts not available at dealership as of March 2025
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 24V-608 issued but no remedy available; parts unavailable; BMW delaying timely repairs
Electrical Wiring and Connector Issues
Chronic electrical gremlins: intermittent brake lights, parking lights, and warning lights that repeatedly fail and blow out bulbs. Ground wire corrosion at rear light connectors causing overheating and breakage. Owners report issues recurring despite bulb replacement; likely related to 2015 recall but unresolved.
When: Ongoing over one year or more
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights fail intermittently; Parking lights fail and bulbs blow out repeatedly; Right brake light message on display despite new bulbs; Turn signals stop working; Multiple warning lights cycling on and off; Ground wire overheating at connectors
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple bulbs purchased and installed; lights continue to fail; ground wire damaged and overheated at rear light connector
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Possible connection to 2015 recall; unclear if resolved
Headlight Housing Defects
Cracks, chips, and internal defects appear inside headlight housing on F30 BMW 3 Series models. Defect present even on newer vehicles and appears across multiple units of same model.
When: Early in vehicle ownership; vehicles noted as not that old
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks inside headlight housing; Chips in headlight lens; Defects visible inside headlight; Potential for worsening and visibility issues over time
Coolant Level Sensor Failure
Coolant warning indicator illuminates and remains lit even after coolant is added. Independent mechanic diagnosed failed electrical sensor; vehicle not repaired; owner advised to contact dealer but did not follow up.
When: At 125,573 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant warning indicator illuminated; Indicator remains on after adding coolant
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed failed electrical sensor; no repair completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised owner to contact dealer
Auto Start/Stop Malfunction and Ignition Failure
Auto start/stop function fails to restart engine after vehicle stops; vehicle displays 'IGNITION MALFUNCTION—DO NOT TURN ENGINE OFF. CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN.' Engine will not restart even with start button. Vehicle also unable to shift into neutral, requiring tow service.
When: After auto start/stop activation
Symptoms owners cite: Auto start/stop does not restart engine when foot removed from brake; Ignition malfunction error displayed; Engine will not start with start button; Vehicle stuck in gear, cannot shift to neutral
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle flatbedded to dealership; awaiting repair
Airbag Deployment Failure
During rear-end collision at 40 mph, airbag did not deploy despite clear impact. Display indicated airbag deploy error. Vehicle was brand new (owned less than 2 months) at time of crash.
When: During rear-end collision at highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag did not deploy during impact; Airbag deploy error message displayed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; electrical wires for computer system melted after impact
Sudden Acceleration and Brake Failure
When shifting from auto to manual mode while descending a hill, vehicle suddenly accelerated and brakes became ineffective. Driver lost consciousness; vehicle crashed through five trees. Occurred at 79,541 miles in good weather conditions.
When: At 79,541 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration after gear shift; Brakes completely ineffective; Loss of vehicle control
Engine Stall and No-Start Condition
Engine dies on freeway after system announces error; vehicle will not restart. Independent mechanics report timing chain problems and drivetrain malfunction errors. Vehicle unable to start after stalling; remained non-operational for months.
When: While driving on freeway; one vehicle at unspecified mileage; another after months of parking
Symptoms owners cite: System announces error while driving; Engine dies and will not restart; Drivetrain malfunction warning displayed; Vehicle stalls in traffic
Codes mentioned: Drivetrain malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics diagnosed timing chain problems; vehicle towed; one owner reported four months of non-operation
Valve Cover Leak and Electrical Misfire
Valve cover leak detected along with electrical issue causing engine to die after 12+ hours of being off. Vehicle misfires, runs rough at idle, and powertrain warning lights illuminate.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Burning oil smell from engine; Engine dies after being off for more than 12 hours; Engine misfire; Rough idle; Powertrain warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: P0171, O2 sensor code
Repairs/costs cited: Valve cover leak confirmed; electrical issue present
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Unknown, Over time, this could lead to a short circuit and, in rare cases, a thermal event or a fire.
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 BMW 328i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 BMW 328i?
It's a meaningful issue. 32 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 4,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/BMW/328i.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.