2013 BMW 320i Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2013 BMW 320i has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 92,906 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 15V520000 2015-08-17 7,727 affected
Defect

BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured…

Consequence

If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at [email protected].

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14V627000 2014-10-07 8,988 affected
Defect

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…

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 13V454000 2013-09-26 76,191 affected
Defect

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…

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 [email protected].

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
2
ENGINE
2
POWER TRAIN
2
STRUCTURE:BODY
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
SEAT BELTS
1
SERVICE BRAKES
1
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
1crashes
Total complaints13

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Engine overheating, passenger safety belt, failed speed control (difficulty accelerating) due to these issues and malfunctions; it causes injury to the driver as the airbags/seat belts are not stable. If the car suddenly stops it can injure the driver. The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, vehicle…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2021-12-11

“Engine overheating, passenger safety belt, failed speed control (difficulty accelerating) due to these issues and malfunctions; it causes injury to the driver as the airbags/seat belts are not stable. If the car suddenly stops it can injure the driver. The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, vehicle…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2021-12-11

“Engine overheating, passenger safety belt, failed speed control (difficulty accelerating) due to these issues and malfunctions; it causes injury to the driver as the airbags/seat belts are not stable. If the car suddenly stops it can injure the driver. The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, vehicle…”

ENGINE · reported 2021-12-11

“The contact owns a 2013 bmw 320i. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe due to engine oil leaking into the catalytic converter. As a result, the catalytic converted became clogged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed…”

ENGINE · reported 2021-01-12

“Reverse light housing falls out. Multiple online forums stating it is a known issue with bmw and dealerships are aware. Potential hazard if hosing falls off on highway or lack of a reverse light.”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2020-08-02

“Reverse light housing falls out. Multiple online forums stating it is a known issue with bmw and dealerships are aware. Potential hazard if hosing falls off on highway or lack of a reverse light.”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2020-08-02

“Front doors will not unlock from the outside and can't use key to inter manually, this is a safety issue if emergency and can't get into the car easily”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2020-04-22

“Airbag light comes on intermittently”

AIR BAGS · reported 2020-01-29

Defect investigations

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation PE13030 Opened 2013-09-06 · closed 2013-10-25

Loss of power assist braking

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…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2013 BMW 320i as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.