Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
325–50K
650–75K
1375–100K
4100–150K
1150K+
30 reports with mileage · 26 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
56 reports
120,000 miles · Aug 23, 2018
Structure
THE SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED WHILE I WAS DRIVING TODAY (8/23/2018) ON A CHICAGO-AREA HIGHWAY. I SAW NO LIKELY CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE -- E.G., FLYING DEBRIS. NOR IS THERE ANY DAMAGE TO THE LINER THAT SITS UNDERNEATH THE GLASS. THE FIRST THING THAT COMES UP WHEN GOOGLING THE ISSUE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED JAN 2018 AGAINST BMW. …
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THE SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED WHILE I WAS DRIVING TODAY (8/23/2018) ON A CHICAGO-AREA HIGHWAY. I SAW NO LIKELY CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE -- E.G., FLYING DEBRIS. NOR IS THERE ANY DAMAGE TO THE LINER THAT SITS UNDERNEATH THE GLASS. THE FIRST THING THAT COMES UP WHEN GOOGLING THE ISSUE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED JAN 2018 AGAINST BMW. CONSUMER REPORTS HAS SEVERAL ARTICLES DESCRIBING INCREASED INCIDENCE OF EXPLODING SUNROOFS SINCE CARMAKERS HAVE INCREASED THE SIZE OF SUNROOFS IN THE LAST 5-7 YRS.
NHTSA ODI #11121866
68,000 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Air BagsSteeringVehicle Speed Control
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…
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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).
NHTSA ODI #11113220
86,000 miles · Jul 10, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE MESSAGE "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" DISPLAYED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (REEVES BMW TAMPA, 109 EAST FOWLER AVE, TAMPA, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE MESSAGE "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" DISPLAYED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (REEVES BMW TAMPA, 109 EAST FOWLER AVE, TAMPA, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA ODI #11110591
90,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528XI. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO UNION PARK BMW IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528XI. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO UNION PARK BMW IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11058346
30,000 miles · Aug 8, 2017
Air BagsSeats
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 READIN…
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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. I AM UNCLEAR AS TO WHY A RESTRAINT SYSTEM ISSUE DOESN'T FALL UNDER SAFETY WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR COVERAGE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #11013830
98,000 miles · May 11, 2017
Power Train
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, COU…
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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.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2013 BMW 528XI Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year