Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2013 BMW 320I with NHTSA between 2013 and 2023.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the BMW 320I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 79
15.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 BMW 320I
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Body & Structure
215.4%
Brakes
215.4%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Airbags
215.4%
Median failure at 114,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
215.4%
Median failure at 50,210 miles
Engine & Cooling
215.4%
Median failure at 76,000 miles
Seat Belts
17.7%
Fuel & Propulsion
17.7%
Lights
17.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
250.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
125.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2013peak 3Jan 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2013 BMW 320I
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
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 to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
PE13030Opened 6 Sep 2013Closed 25 Oct 2013SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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 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 ca...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Linden, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RE: TCN-KDN21-40701 ON 9/17/13 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR AS IT ROLLED DOWN A HILL - ALTHOUGH I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS LEAVING A DRIVEWAY WHICH IS POSITIONED ON A HILL. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED ON MY SCREEN. I THEN HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN A "GRINDING" NOISE. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING DOWN THE HILL AND THE AIRBAG POPPED OUT - KNOCKING ME UNCONSCIOUS. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN MY CAR REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, IT HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR AND THEN TRAVELED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. IT'S A MIRACLE I WASN'T KILLED! IRONICALLY, THE MAKE/MODEL MODEL OF MY CAR WAS RECALLED THE WEEK AFTER MY ACCIDENT. (REFER TO NHTSA RECALL # 13V454000). BMW CHECKED MY CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND CLAIMED THAT MY CAR PASSED WITH "FLYING COLORS". THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE CONSIDERING THAT THE CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO MY INABILITY TO STOP THE CAR - YET THE CAR WAS RECALLED DUE TO BRAKING PROBLEMS. BMW WAS ALSO UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH AN EXPLANATION REGARDING THE GRINDING NOISE, THE POPPING SOUND OR WHY MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. MY CAR FIT ALL OF THE CRITERIA FOR THE CARS BMW WERE RECALLING. WHEN I INITIALLY ASKED BMW IF MY CAR WAS ON THE RECALL LIST THEY FIRST TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE VIN# LIST. WHEN I INQUIRED THE SECOND TIME - BMW CLAIMED THAT MY CAR'S VIN # WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I DO NOT BELIEVE BMW. AND THE FACT THAT BMW CHECKED THE CAR AND CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT IS LIKE THE POLICE POLICING THE POLICE. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY CAR WAS SUBJECT TO THE DEFECT THAT IT WAS BEING RECALLED FOR WHICH IS WHY THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO SUBJECT IT SELF TO LITIGATION. HOWEVER, I DO NOT ACCEPT BMW'S FINDINGS BECAUSE IT IS NOT OBJECTIVE. BMW IS LYING.
NHTSA complaint #10553277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Linden, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
RE: TCN-KDN21-40701 ON 9/17/13 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR AS IT ROLLED DOWN A HILL - ALTHOUGH I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS LEAVING A DRIVEWAY WHICH IS POSITIONED ON A HILL. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED ON MY SCREEN. I THEN HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN A "GRINDING" NOISE. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING DOWN THE HILL AND THE AIRBAG POPPED OUT - KNOCKING ME UNCONSCIOUS. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN MY CAR REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, IT HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR AND THEN TRAVELED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. IT'S A MIRACLE I WASN'T KILLED! IRONICALLY, THE MAKE/MODEL MODEL OF MY CAR WAS RECALLED THE WEEK AFTER MY ACCIDENT. (REFER TO NHTSA RECALL # 13V454000). BMW CHECKED MY CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND CLAIMED THAT MY CAR PASSED WITH "FLYING COLORS". THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE CONSIDERING THAT THE CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO MY INABILITY TO STOP THE CAR - YET THE CAR WAS RECALLED DUE TO BRAKING PROBLEMS. BMW WAS ALSO UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH AN EXPLANATION REGARDING THE GRINDING NOISE, THE POPPING SOUND OR WHY MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. MY CAR FIT ALL OF THE CRITERIA FOR THE CARS BMW WERE RECALLING. WHEN I INITIALLY ASKED BMW IF MY CAR WAS ON THE RECALL LIST THEY FIRST TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE VIN# LIST. WHEN I INQUIRED THE SECOND TIME - BMW CLAIMED THAT MY CAR'S VIN # WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I DO NOT BELIEVE BMW. AND THE FACT THAT BMW CHECKED THE CAR AND CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT IS LIKE THE POLICE POLICING THE POLICE. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY CAR WAS SUBJECT TO THE DEFECT THAT IT WAS BEING RECALLED FOR WHICH IS WHY THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO SUBJECT IT SELF TO LITIGATION. HOWEVER, I DO NOT ACCEPT BMW'S FINDINGS BECAUSE IT IS NOT OBJECTIVE. BMW IS LYING.
NHTSA complaint #10553277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 76,000 milesLas Vegas, NV
ENGINE
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 that the oil check valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11501517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, CT
SEAT BELTS
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 loses power/ says to drive moderately or stop driving/ the car drives slow does not past 35 mph, the car goes into 'limp mode' (less than 10 mph) it goes in a very low speed with no acceleration; This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially. This can cause injury to the driver and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The water pump and thermostat was replaced, however, the car still does not accelerate and is in a low driving speed mode. It still shuts off unexpectedly. The issue has not been resolved. The warning signs were 'drive moderately, engine overheated, passenger safety belt, with cranking noises, no acceleration, limp mode (car is going very slow no more than 10 mph).
NHTSA complaint #11447154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, CT
AIR BAGS
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 loses power/ says to drive moderately or stop driving/ the car drives slow does not past 35 mph, the car goes into 'limp mode' (less than 10 mph) it goes in a very low speed with no acceleration; This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially. This can cause injury to the driver and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The water pump and thermostat was replaced, however, the car still does not accelerate and is in a low driving speed mode. It still shuts off unexpectedly. The issue has not been resolved. The warning signs were 'drive moderately, engine overheated, passenger safety belt, with cranking noises, no acceleration, limp mode (car is going very slow no more than 10 mph).
NHTSA complaint #11447154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, CT
ENGINE
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 loses power/ says to drive moderately or stop driving/ the car drives slow does not past 35 mph, the car goes into 'limp mode' (less than 10 mph) it goes in a very low speed with no acceleration; This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially. This can cause injury to the driver and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The water pump and thermostat was replaced, however, the car still does not accelerate and is in a low driving speed mode. It still shuts off unexpectedly. The issue has not been resolved. The warning signs were 'drive moderately, engine overheated, passenger safety belt, with cranking noises, no acceleration, limp mode (car is going very slow no more than 10 mph).
NHTSA complaint #11447154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11349335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11349335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
STRUCTURE:BODY
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
NHTSA complaint #11338821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesFairport, NY
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY
NHTSA complaint #11303016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
POWER TRAIN
HELLO I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL ON A MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE WERE THE ENGINE STALLS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN AND INTERNAL PARTS THAT GIVES THE ENGINE POWER. MY CAR SHOWED AND EMERGENCY INDICATOR LIGHT THAT SAID ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW AND TO CAREFULLY STOP AND STOP ENGINE OF RISK OF DAMAGE. THEN ANOTHER INDICATOR THAT STATED ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOT. THIS WAS DONE AND THE CAR TOWED AND NOW THE ENGINE HAS A KNOCKING NOISE SO NOT DRIVING IT. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU ASAP AS THERE TELLING ME AT BMW THAT THAT RECALL IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SINCE TO ME. THANKS AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #11278375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE TICKING NOISE FROM THE VALVES IS TERRIBLE, THE PEOPLE AT BMW SAID IS NORMAL BUT THAT NOISE IS TOO MUCH, ITS SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL CAR
NHTSA complaint #11165636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,420 milesManassas, VI
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 320I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER TO ACCELERATE OVER 2800 RPMS WHEN IT WAS PLACED IN SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,420. .... UPDATED 08/05/14 *BF UPDATED 08/18/2014
NHTSA complaint #10592551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Linden, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RE: TCN-KDN21-40701 ON 9/17/13 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR AS IT ROLLED DOWN A HILL - ALTHOUGH I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS LEAVING A DRIVEWAY WHICH IS POSITIONED ON A HILL. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED ON MY SCREEN. I THEN HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN A "GRINDING" NOISE. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING DOWN THE HILL AND THE AIRBAG POPPED OUT - KNOCKING ME UNCONSCIOUS. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN MY CAR REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, IT HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR AND THEN TRAVELED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. IT'S A MIRACLE I WASN'T KILLED! IRONICALLY, THE MAKE/MODEL MODEL OF MY CAR WAS RECALLED THE WEEK AFTER MY ACCIDENT. (REFER TO NHTSA RECALL # 13V454000). BMW CHECKED MY CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND CLAIMED THAT MY CAR PASSED WITH "FLYING COLORS". THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE CONSIDERING THAT THE CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO MY INABILITY TO STOP THE CAR - YET THE CAR WAS RECALLED DUE TO BRAKING PROBLEMS. BMW WAS ALSO UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH AN EXPLANATION REGARDING THE GRINDING NOISE, THE POPPING SOUND OR WHY MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. MY CAR FIT ALL OF THE CRITERIA FOR THE CARS BMW WERE RECALLING. WHEN I INITIALLY ASKED BMW IF MY CAR WAS ON THE RECALL LIST THEY FIRST TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE VIN# LIST. WHEN I INQUIRED THE SECOND TIME - BMW CLAIMED THAT MY CAR'S VIN # WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I DO NOT BELIEVE BMW. AND THE FACT THAT BMW CHECKED THE CAR AND CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT IS LIKE THE POLICE POLICING THE POLICE. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY CAR WAS SUBJECT TO THE DEFECT THAT IT WAS BEING RECALLED FOR WHICH IS WHY THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO SUBJECT IT SELF TO LITIGATION. HOWEVER, I DO NOT ACCEPT BMW'S FINDINGS BECAUSE IT IS NOT OBJECTIVE. BMW IS LYING.
NHTSA complaint #10553277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Linden, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
RE: TCN-KDN21-40701 ON 9/17/13 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY CAR AS IT ROLLED DOWN A HILL - ALTHOUGH I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS LEAVING A DRIVEWAY WHICH IS POSITIONED ON A HILL. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED ON MY SCREEN. I THEN HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THEN A "GRINDING" NOISE. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR CONTINUED ROLLING DOWN THE HILL AND THE AIRBAG POPPED OUT - KNOCKING ME UNCONSCIOUS. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN MY CAR REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, IT HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR AND THEN TRAVELED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. IT'S A MIRACLE I WASN'T KILLED! IRONICALLY, THE MAKE/MODEL MODEL OF MY CAR WAS RECALLED THE WEEK AFTER MY ACCIDENT. (REFER TO NHTSA RECALL # 13V454000). BMW CHECKED MY CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND CLAIMED THAT MY CAR PASSED WITH "FLYING COLORS". THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE CONSIDERING THAT THE CAUSE OF MY ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO MY INABILITY TO STOP THE CAR - YET THE CAR WAS RECALLED DUE TO BRAKING PROBLEMS. BMW WAS ALSO UNABLE TO PROVIDE ME WITH AN EXPLANATION REGARDING THE GRINDING NOISE, THE POPPING SOUND OR WHY MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. MY CAR FIT ALL OF THE CRITERIA FOR THE CARS BMW WERE RECALLING. WHEN I INITIALLY ASKED BMW IF MY CAR WAS ON THE RECALL LIST THEY FIRST TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE VIN# LIST. WHEN I INQUIRED THE SECOND TIME - BMW CLAIMED THAT MY CAR'S VIN # WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I DO NOT BELIEVE BMW. AND THE FACT THAT BMW CHECKED THE CAR AND CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT IS LIKE THE POLICE POLICING THE POLICE. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY CAR WAS SUBJECT TO THE DEFECT THAT IT WAS BEING RECALLED FOR WHICH IS WHY THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO SUBJECT IT SELF TO LITIGATION. HOWEVER, I DO NOT ACCEPT BMW'S FINDINGS BECAUSE IT IS NOT OBJECTIVE. BMW IS LYING.
NHTSA complaint #10553277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.