Engine. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
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Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

14 reports

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61,200 miles · Sep 18, 2020

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

CONDENSATION IN HEADLIGHTS, COMMON IN THE VEHICLE WITH NOW FIX. WATER SEEPS THROUGH AND DESTROYS ELECTRONICS, INCLUDING LEVELING, ADJUSTING, AND TURN SIGNALS. EACH TIME IT RAINS IT BECOMES WORSE AND MAKES VISIBILITY DIFFICULT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IT WAS STATED TO THE SALES DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD IT IS NO ISSUE. SEEN MAN…

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NHTSA ODI #11359895

75,000 miles · Apr 4, 2018

Electrical SystemEngine

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I BOUGHT A 2013 BMW 528 I A YEAR AGO WITH NO WARRANTY BUT I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. RIGHT NOW ITS IN THE SHOP. I'VE TAKEN IT TOO TWO SHOP (BMW) BOTH SHOPS SAY I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ALONG WITH THE OTHER PROBLEMS AM HAVING. THE FIRST SHOP SAYS IT WILL COST ME 10000.00 THE 7000.00. I BELIEVE THAT DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE WAS A BAD CAR. CANY PROVE IT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE SHOP WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. WHAT LEGAL ACTION CAN I TAKE AN CAN I STOP PAYING ON THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE ITS NOT WORKING AN I'M NOT DRIVING IT.

NHTSA ODI #11083346

35,000 miles · Jan 25, 2018

Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND/OR ACTUATOR FAILS AND DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT PRESSING THE ELECTRIC BUTTON ON THE DASH TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS. UPON PULLING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE, THE DOOR LOCK PIN SLOWLY MOVES UP AND THEN RECEDES BACK DOWN INTO THE LOCK POSITION WHEN RELEASING THE HANDLE. IN AN EMERGENCY WHERE AN OCCUPANT WOULD NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY, OR WHERE THE ELECTRONICS HAVE FAILED IN THE CAR, THIS COULD PRESENT A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD, ULTIMATELY TRAPPING AN OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11064802

31,000 miles · Dec 2, 2016

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

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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 THE WRONG POSITION OF THE LOCK CAN BE SEEN. I HAVE TAKEN THIS IN TO BMW MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY CAN'T GET THE CAR TO PRODUCE THE ISSUE WHILE THERE AND SO THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE. A SPECIALIST LOOKED AT THE CAR A THEY REPLACED AN ELECTRONIC BOARD THAT CONTROLS THE LOCKS BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUES. I AM FRUSTRATED AT THEIR LACK OF ABILITY OR INTEREST IN FINDING OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING OR RESOLVING THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE ABSOLUTELY DOES EXIST AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10929611

Official recalls

24V608000 · Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump

Aug 13, 2024

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

15V188000 · Exterior Lighting

Mar 31, 2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

14V627000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 7, 2014

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

13V454000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 26, 2013

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE13030 · Loss Of Power Assist Braking

Opened Sep 6, 2013 · Closed Oct 25, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the camshaft geometry that prevented the seal disk from blocking the oil port.BMW has not received any braking complaints related to loss of power assist after the design change was implemented in production.The owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer who will install a locking ring into the camshaft to keep the seal disk in its proper location.BMW expects to begin dealer and owner notification in November 2013 and complete dealer and owner notification in December when the remedy is expected to be available.Based on the actions taken by BMW, this investigation is closed.