Groaning, scraping, or squeaking noise coming from the steering wheel area in the interior of the vehicle,when turning the steering wheel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 BMW 328i steering problems
severe Owners of the 2013 BMW 328i have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 328i | 10 |
| 2012 328i | 4 |
| 2013 328i (this page) | 8 |
| 2014 328i | 4 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 8 steering complaints filed for the 2013 BMW 328i, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Groaning, scraping, or squeaking noise coming from the steering wheel area in the interior of the vehicle, when turning the steering wheel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗EPS STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR MOUNTING BOLTS LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION: There are front end noises when turning the steering wheel and/or there is limited power steering assist when maneuvering or parking the vehicle. For the basic steering gears, one possible cause is that the mounting bolts for the electric motor may become loose, missing and/or broken due to corrosion.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗EPS STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR MOUNTING BOLTS - LTD WTY EXT TO 10 YRS/120000 MILES: There are front end noises when turning the steering wheel and/or there is limited power steering assist when maneuvering or parking the vehicle. For the basic steering gears one possible cause is that the mounting bolts for the electric motor may become loose missing and/or broken due to corrosion.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The car now has approximately 50,000 miles on it. The steering wheel has increasingly deteriorated, becoming very sloppy and eventually LED to a knock in the steering wheel rack. It is well documented in hundreds of online chats, videos and forums, that BMW has been changing the entire rack. They have recently released a kit with and upgraded bushing to repair the rack, thus acknowledging a…
After the vehicle had been driving for about two hours I drove onto a highway. As the vehicle approached speeds over 65 MPH the steering wheel became "notchy" almost as if it was jumping from 15-20 degrees but not smooth. It became incredibly difficult to drive and change lanes. It seemed almost like an electrical problem and not mechanical. Once I exited the highway and went below 40mph the…
Failure of electrical assist power steering (eps) while vehicle stationary - 2013 BMW 328i, 89,500 miles upon startup, while turning steering whell tomove car, steering system emitted whining noise, bangs and thumps, then high pitched whine. All power steering was lost, and car had to be towed to BMW dealer. Diagnosis was mechanical failure of bolts holding power steering box to the steering…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2013 BMW 328i?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 62,233 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.