Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 3 Series, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system7
- Engine7
- Power train6
- Vehicle speed control4
- Air bags3
- Service brakes2
- Visibility/wiper1
- Wheels1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2013
190,321 new BMW 3 Series cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2013; the largest markets were Germany (68,106), the United Kingdom (42,617), Italy (13,899).
- Average mass
- 1,568 kg
- Average power
- 128 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 84% · Petrol 16%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2013 BMW 3 Series cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (135 kW, 181 hp), 2.0 diesel (120 kW, 161 hp) and 1.6 petrol (125 kW, 168 hp), out of 12 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 135 kW 181 hp | 1,632 |
| 2.0 diesel | 120 kW 161 hp | 1,329 |
| 1.6 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 1,001 |
| 1.6 petrol | 100 kW 134 hp | 784 |
| 2.0 petrol | 180 kW 241 hp | 673 |
| 2.0 diesel | 135 kW 181 hp | 621 |
| 3.0 petrol | 225 kW 302 hp | 284 |
| 2.0 diesel | 105 kW 141 hp | 264 |
| 3.0 diesel | 190 kW 255 hp | 224 |
| 2.0 diesel | 85 kW 114 hp | 156 |
| 2.0 diesel | 100 kW 134 hp | 153 |
| 2.0 petrol | 100 kW 134 hp | 66 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
7,446 first registered in 2013 are on Dutch roads; 32% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €49,562.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde3,321
- Band onvoldoende profiel2,156
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm1,694
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld1,523
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage940
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen929
- Band beschadigd604
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont441
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
33,171 cars built in 2013 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,741 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 35,432 of these cars first registered in 2013 took their annual MOT test. 76% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2013 the figure was 68%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.5% | 12.5% |
| Tyres | 7.3% | 6.7% |
| Suspension | 4.6% | 10.4% |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 2.8% | 4.7% |
| Road Wheels | 1.0% | 0.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
3,172 of these cars first registered in 2013 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 241,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,881 2013 cars are on the New Zealand register; 71% arrived as used imports, 28% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
11 Transport Canada recalls for the 2013 BMW 3 Series.
| 2024544 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "N… |
| 2024468 13 Aug 2024 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, fluid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could leak on the intake air hose. As a result, the fluid could enter t… |
| 2022095 2 Mar 2022 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short … |
| 2021093 24 Feb 2021 | Steering Issue: On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear may corrode and break. This could cause a loss… |
| 2020008 15 Jan 2020 | Airbag Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. … |
| 2018587 26 Oct 2018 | Engine This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2021-711. On certain vehicles, the cooler for Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module may develop an … |
| 2016142 31 Mar 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2015369 14 Aug 2015 | Lights And Instruments Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. The front side… |
| 2015136 27 Mar 2015 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, improper nickel plating of certain fuel pump internal components could contaminate the pump, potentially resulting in an inoperative fuel p… |
| 2014435 3 Oct 2014 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, a defect in manufacturing could result in a loss of oil supply to the vacuum pump. If this were to occur, the vacuum pump could fail, causi… |
| 2013330 27 Sept 2013 | Brakes On certain vehicles, a defect in manufacturing could result in a loss of oil supply to the vacuum pump. If this were to occur, the vacuum pump could fail, causi… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2013 BMW 3 Series.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2013 BMW 3 Series: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11008105 | Only fuel nozzles with the recommended specified diameter for diesel engine passenger vehicles can beinserted into the filler neck. Most fuel stations have their diesel fuel pumps fitted with this recommendeddiameter fuel nozzle. However, if the vehicles filler-neck misfuelling protection system has been disabled, or the incorrectdiameter fuel nozzle has been installed on the diesel fuel pump, the vehicles diesel fuel system can becontaminated by filling the diesel engine vehicle with gasoline. If the diesel fuel system has been contaminated with gasoline, follow the repair guidelines below: |
| 11000627 | Radio R/C with FEM Return |
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10240305 | Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471 |
| 10240273 | This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports. |
| 10240266 | SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01 adresses proper installation torque of cap bolt fasteners attaching SPL's aftermarket lower control arms, recurring inspection and confirmation of torque setting and removal and replacement of damaged or under torqued fasteners to reduce risk of premature failure and accident. SB-23-01 was mailed, emailed and posted on SPL website to known resellers, race teams and users of the affected parts and is b |
| 10215025 | Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC |
| 10215024 | The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification |
| 10215023 | Visual Inspection of Brake discs/Rotors for new car deliveries |
| 10193495 | The customer complains of rattling noises from the rear window when driving on rough roads. |
| 10193494 | Butt connector for repairing a plug connection. The ?top up coolant? message is displayed in the central display (CC message ID 166). When checking the cooling system there are no leaks found and the expansion tank is filled to the proper level. |
| 10059092 | BMW: IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE BOWDEN CABLE CAUSES THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER FRONT DOOR NOT TO OPEN OCCASIONALLY WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 37 DEGREES. *MA |
| 10059089 | BMW - BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM MIGHT REDUCE IF TEMPERATURE GETS BELOW 14 DEGREES *MA |
| 10059088 | BMW: CAUTIONING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OR A CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE IN THE DISPLAY INDICATE THE POWER-ASSISTED STEERING HAS FAIL. *MA |
| 10059011 | ON THE TRANSMISSION SIDE, THERE IS A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK AROUND THE OIL COOLER LINES. *MA |
| 10058974 | DUE TO SOFTWARE ERROR BOTH FRONT PARKING LIGHTS IS DEACTIVATED AND CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE DOESN'T DISPLAY. *MA |
| 10058551 | BMW: ON TRANSMISSION SIDE, IN SOME VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING AROUND THE AREA OF THE OIL COOLER LINES CAUSING UNFAVORABLE COOLING LINE CONNECTION TOLERANCES TO DAMAGE O RINGS. MODEL E84 (X1), E89 (Z4), F22 & 23 (2 SERIES), F30 & 31 (3 SERIES), F32 & 33 (4 SERIES), F34 (GRAN TURISMO), F36 (GRAN COUPE). *PE |
| 10058490 | DURING THE DME'S TIME LIMITS ENGINE COOLANT DOES NOT REACH OPERATING TEMPERATURE CAUSE BY FAULTY THERMOSTAT INSIDE TRANSMISSION *CN |
| 10058476 | BMW: DUE TO TRANSMISSION OIL HEAT EXCHANGER'S FAULTY THERMOSTAT OR ENGINE FAULTY CHARACTERISTIC MAP THERMOSTAT, ENGINE COOLANT FAILS TO REACH OPERATING TEMPERATURE, WITH LOW HEAT OUTPUT AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10058467 | BMW: FUEL GAUGE FAILS TO SHOW CORRECT LEVEL OF FUEL WHEN FILLING FUEL TANK BUT WOULD UPDATE ITSELF AFTER DRIVING AWHILE AND ILLUMINATION OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION LAMP (MIL) COMES ON, DUE TO SOFTWARE ERROR IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. MODEL 2011-15. *PE |
| 10057568 | BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, WHEN STARTING, LOW BEAM, WITH 0552 OPTION, WOULD BRIEFLY FLASHES, DUE TO A FAULTY LED MAIN LIGHT MODULE THAT NEEDS REPLACING. MODEL 2008-14 F01, F02, F06, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25. *PE |
| 10057531 | BMW: IN CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE OR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, A FAILURE WITH POWER ASSISTED STEERING IS ILLUMINATED, DUE TO SOFTWARE RELATED ISSUES. *PE |
| 10057527 | BMW: SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION MODULE (SCR) HAS A STORED FAULT, PRESSURE BUILD UP IS LOW, CAUSING SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. * |
| 10057341 | BMW: MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT FOR ENGINE IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO PURGE AIR SYSTEM MICRO LEAKAGE AND VENTILATION OF FUEL TANK FROM CONTAMINATION. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Loss of power assist braking
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation