2013 BMW 328I Engine Problems
Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2013 BMW 328I, 36% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 78,850 miles. The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (39% of reports).
- 92engine complaints
- 78,850median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $6,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 58%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 36 of 92 complaints (39%)
- Drivetrain malfunction: mentioned in 10 of 92 complaints (11%)
- Oil pump: mentioned in 10 of 92 complaints (11%)
- N20 engine: mentioned in 6 of 92 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2013 BMW 328I at $6,250, and half of them between $3,100 and $15,250.
Based on 7 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2017–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 52 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 92 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 3 an injury.
BMW 328I engine complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump
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 circuit.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
2013 BMW 328i, N20 engine. Timing chain guide assembly and oil pump drive chain failed catastrophically. Vehicle is available for inspection, however the authorized BMW dealership has already made clear they will accept no responsibility, and I would bear the expense of towing it two hours to their…
MY 2013 BMW 328 NON TURBO experienced an all of a sudden warning that the temperature was high even though the temp gauge did not show. Car was pulled over and towed to repair shop. Broken VANOS bolts were discovered and car made a load noise when run.
Dear NHTSA, I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my [Your BMW Model & Year]. My vehicle was recalled due to an issue with the engine coolant pump, which could lead to a short circuit and, in rare cases, a fire. â¢The recall was issued over a month ago, but BMW has…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 BMW 328Is have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 92 owner complaints about engine for the 2013 BMW 328I (36% of the 257 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 BMW 328I engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 78,850 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2013 BMW 328I?
Owners report a typical cost of $6,250 (half paid between $3,100 and $15,250), from 7 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2013 BMW 328I?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 36 of 92 complaints, followed by “drivetrain malfunction” (10).
Other 2013 BMW 328I problems
See all 2013 BMW 328I problems or engine problems across all 328I years.