Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin Index / 2013-BMW-528I / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2013 BMW 528i owner complaints

73 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 10 complaints shown

34 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/26/2024 108,000 mi ODI #11632469.0

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 contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. VIN tool confirms p

12/04/2024 98,000 mi ODI #11628779.0

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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the engine overheated and there was white smoke coming from under the hood. The messages low coolant and engine overheating were displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to allow the engine to cool down before continuing to drive. The contact stated that while checking the coolant level, the coolant level was in the normal range. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 98,000. VIN to

11/15/2019 111,000 mi ODI #11280278.0

I was driving my vehicle on the highway and a drive train malfunction indicator was displayed on the screen. The car immediately lost all power and I was forced to pull over on the side of the road. I towed my vehicle to the closest certified repair shop. After the repair ran their diagnostic test, they informed me that I needed a new engine because it had seized. They also quoted me at $9,900 for a new engine. My car currently has approximately 111,000 miles.

11/13/2024 127,000 mi ODI #11625030.0

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 not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the contact noticed a smoke-like smell coming from the vehicle with no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

11/08/2017 120,000 mi Fire ODI #11044432.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. While driving approximately 55 MPH, a pungent odor was perceived in the vehicle. Approximately twenty seconds later, the transmission kicked out of gear and the parking brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle lost power and shut down. The contact was alerted by another driver that the vehicle was on fire. The contact opened the hood and flames shot out from the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire, but a fire report was not filed. The vehicle was damaged and towed to the contact's farm. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a representative stated that the failure was unusual. The representative informed the contact that a specialist would call within twenty-four hours. The fa

10/25/2024 ODI #11621878.0

The electrical connector of the engine coolanta pump could become damaged. Small drops of liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could drip down onto the electrical connector of the pump.

10/24/2020 83,000 mi ODI #11366118.0

I was driving my 2013 BMW 528i in april 2019 with ~65k miles at the time. The drive train malfunction indicator came on and the car was driving sluggish. Per bmws request I drove it to BMW service center. Fault codes f133b04 and f133e10. They performed calibration, tested and sent me on my way and no more warning displayed. June 2020 low oil pressure indicator came on. I took it in for service (oil change, cbs) and indicator was no longer displaying. October 2020 low oil pressure and drive train malfunction indicators come on while driving on the street. I was able to drive home, but the car completely stops while parking in the driveway. I had it towed to BMW and it was diagnosed as timing chain and oil pump chain drive, plus faults with the vanos unit (fc 1c0102, 1c2002, 1c0301, 130f11,

10/24/2019 80,325 mi ODI #11270653.0

Drivetrain malfunction error message appeared and car went into limp mode. Replaced air pump to control engine vacuum, made car driveable, cost $1200. Did not stop drivetrain malfunction error message from coming on. Took car in for routine service and had them look at the issue. Timing chain is about to go out. Car is not running properly, and there is no way to know when the timing chain will completely fail. I googled the issue to see if it is common and found out it's extremely common with the n20 engines. The error message comes on every single time I drive my car, and it has affected the performance.

10/22/2024 119,000 mi ODI #11621228.0

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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate while it was raining or while washing the vehicle. The indicators failed to operate while attempting to make a turn. The warning light indicating an electrical failure was illuminated. The failure was intermittent. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

10/04/2018 107,000 mi ODI #11133296.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 BMW 528i. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and the "drive train malfunction" and "drive slowly" warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and later towed to open road BMW (732-201-6579, located at 731 us-1, edison, nj 08817) where it was diagnosed that the drive train needed to be replaced. The dealer made the manufacturer aware of the failure and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was being repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

powertrain 4 complaints shown

12 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/14/2020 90,000 mi ODI #11383392.0

I currently have a 2013 528i BMW with less 90k miles and less than 8 years old. I was driving the vehicle and all of a sudden I received a drivetrain malfunction that abruptly stopped the car. I got to find out that the engine was completely done. I called BMW to see if there was any recall on that issue, I also found out that many BMW owners have had the same issue and had to get the engine replaced. If I was on the freeway this would have been a major traffic incident accident,

12/01/2021 ODI #11442312.0

The timing belt broke with no warning and destroyed the engine.

10/14/2019 ODI #11268233.0

Pre mature timing chain and vanos failure.

10/02/2022 ODI #11487466.0

Upon purchasing the vehicle it was not serviced as supposed I have been calling only to be played around with this has been a nightmare I haven't made my 3rd payment and currently carless

airbags 3 complaints shown

10 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/05/2021 ODI #11442711.0

Malfunction of the passenger restraint system. Warning indicator states system is not working properly.

11/03/2015 19,500 mi ODI #10788047.0

Driver restraint /airbag system warning light on to no apparent reason. Dealer states that the car must have been in accident ,but only a minor scuff on the rear number was observed. Dealer stated the minor scuff has caused the system lights to stay on and will not cover the cost under the warrantee . Car engine on ,light remains on when stopped and moving.

10/18/2023 ODI #11550611.0

Horn stopped working and error code says airbag error

electrical 1 complaint shown

6 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/02/2016 31,000 mi ODI #10929611.0

I have an ongoing issue with the drivers side door lock where at random times (about 2x per month) the doors make a ratcheting sound like the motor is trying to lock and unlock door in very quick sequence. It happens right after I open the door coming into the car from the outside. I unlock via the remote when this happens. I have noticed that the lock on door moves into a position it is not supposed to be in so when you close the door you can hear metal on metal hitting. For now the door seems to lock and secure- I am concerned this will get worse and the door will not properly lock/ secure causing the door to come open while driving causing harm to myself or to others. I am attaching two pictures- one shows the lock as normal- the other shows the lock right after this issue happens where

lighting 1 complaint shown

12/01/2021 ODI #11442309.0

headlights faulty module no longer sealed and taking water water making all components in the headlights malfunction to repair this issue costing me 2,800.00 for ONE HEADLIGHT

tires 1 complaint shown

10/10/2024 ODI #11619040.0

20k miles??? I haven't even driven 5k miles and according to my vehicle service rep at the dealership all tires are defective as the belt has shifted in them and it's like pulling teeth trying to rectify the issue between the distributor and manufacturer all 4 tires are bad as 1 had to be replaced and the remaining has been inspected by a certified dealer again, the front tires 245/35zr20 and the rear 275/30zr20

Showing 300 of 73 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/BMW/528i#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
Get a free warranty quote →
Sponsored — we earn a commission if you complete a quote. Disclosure.