2013 BMW 528XI problems
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 528XI. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 43% of complaints. Next are drivetrain & axles (18%) and electrical system (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 88 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 43% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 77,000 miles 47 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 14 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 17 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 47 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 77,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 80,000 miles (21 complaints with mileage).
None of these complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 100% of model years in our database.
It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Drive train malfunction: drive moderately error, car lost power as driving and went into limp mode. I had to have flatbed tow truck come and get vehicle and take to dealership, this particular error is widely referenced by BMW owners for this model year, could have caused major accident had I been pulling into heavy traffic, could not shift out of park. Car was bought new, had 50k mi inspection and currently has 98k miles on it.
My care has 30000 miles; warranty expired in nov 2016. I have never been in an accident and have maintained the car very well. I got a warning sign that read 'passenger restraint system malfunction'. I took it to the dealer and he said the szl (steering angle sensor) and the passenger seat mat have to be replaced. In reading several threads I think this is a common complaint that is not addressed by BMW.
My wife was turning hear steering wheel and heard a "click" and then she got some lights on her dashboard. Upon further inspection, the "clock spring" failed. From reading online this seems to be a fairly common failure with 2013 BMW 5 series. It is a serious design flaw because when it fails the following items are no longer operable (horn, airbag or any other items that are located on the steering wheel).
My 2013 528I has some problems with the motor. I purchased the car around december 18 some time with about 76000 miles and only had it for 2 days an problem's came . First it was saying I drivetrains malfunction so I turn the car off an tried to crank it about 4 times an it finally crunk . About 3 days later same problem occurred so I contacted the dealer but they couldn't help me . So I left the car sit for a day an came to crank it an everything was fine .