Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2013 BMW 320i: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 BMW 320i, most recently filed August 2015. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 BMW 320i. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2013 BMW 320i. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V520000 Filed Aug 17, 2015

Side Marker Lamps Inoperative/FMVSS 108

Exterior lighting
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
91.6% repairedof 7,727 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V520000
Listed for 2013 BMW 320i. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V627000 Filed Oct 7, 2014

Loss of Brake Assist/Vacuum Pump Lubrication

Service brakes, hydraulic · power assist · vacuum
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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
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.
94.9% repairedof 8,988 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V627000
Listed for 2013 BMW 320i. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V454000 Filed Sep 26, 2013

Loss of Brake Assist/Vacuum Pump Lubrication

Service brakes, hydraulic · power assist · vacuum
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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
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.
96.9% repairedof 76,191 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V454000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (9)

9 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 BMW 320i, by component (top 8). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 9.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2013 compares with other 320i years

Best and worst 320i years →
1 1 1 3 9 53 33 25 9 21
1982200220042012201320142015201620172018
This year (2013)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined

28
mpg combined
23
city
35
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,950
CO₂ tailpipe
324 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,333per year
$194per month
536gallons a year

Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2013 BMW 320i configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive23 / 35 / 28$2,950324
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive23 / 35 / 27$3,050326

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2013 320i for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All 320i years

Where to next

2013 BMW 320i FAQ

How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 320i have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 15V520000 (lighting), 14V627000 (brake), 13V454000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2013 BMW 320i problems?

Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (2), Engine (2), Power train (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2013 BMW 320i get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 23 city, 35 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2013 320i compare with other years?

Among the 1982–2018 BMW 320i model years at least five years old, the 1982 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2014 the most (53). The 2013 drew 9. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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