2013 BMW 128i reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 128i over 14 years — 2 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 3 128i years on this site. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including PCV system and Inflator.

2012 BMW 128i — Photo by OWS Photography, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (27 of 39), then Engine (4) and Engine and engine cooling (4). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 128i has 31 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2014 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 BMW 128i. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall engine and cooling, exhaust system, emission control, PCV system 2022-03-02 · NHTSA campaign 22V119000

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Remedy This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2020-01-15 · NHTSA campaign 20V017000

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2016-02-05 · NHTSA campaign 16V071000

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component (39 total)

Air bags

Engine

Engine and engine cooling

Structure

Electrical system

Service brakes

Fuel and propulsion system

Powertrain

Seat belts

Seats

Speed control

Visibility and wipers

Show 4 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was a recurring failure, and the…"
Air bags · filed 2025-10-30
"On or about 2022 I was given notice of recall which told me to go to any BMW dealer for repair. I went to Niello BMW in Sacramento. I was getting car processed and then told to summarily leave. They refused to repair my…"
Structure, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2025-09-19
"The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while his wife was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the…"
Air bags · filed 2025-08-07
"Front passenger air bag seat occupancy sensor (OC3) mat warning "Passenger restraint system. Fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag" BMW has an extended warranty for this exact issue on several other…"
Air bags · filed 2024-09-16
"See attached document for complaint."
Engine and engine cooling, Powertrain · filed 2024-08-29

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2013 BMW 128 I 2 DR RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2013 BMW 128 I C RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
128i	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	18	28	21 MPG	$3800
128i	3L, 6-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	19	28	22 MPG	$3650

Specs and fitment

E82/E88 generation, 2012–2013

Body styles Coupe, Convertible

Oil 0W-30 , 6.9 qt capacity

Tire size 205/50R17, 205/55R16, 225/45R17 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 19V579000 covers certain 2008-2012 128i Coupe and Convertible models (with 135i and 135is) where blower-regulator wiring and connectors may overheat and melt, increasing fire risk even when the vehicle is unattended; dealers inspect and replace the harness. Recall 20V017000 covers certain 2008-2013 128i Convertible and Coupe models (with many other BMW models) for a Takata driver frontal air bag inflator that can explode; dealers replace the driver air bag. Recall 16V071000 is an earlier related driver-inflator campaign covering overlapping 2008-2013 1 Series coupes and convertibles.

Compare

Previous year 2012 BMW 128i See every BMW 128i model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW 128i reliable?

What are common problems with a 2013 BMW 128i?

Is the 2013 BMW 128i more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 128i has 31 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2014 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 BMW 128i been recalled?

The 2013 BMW 128i has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 BMW 128i?

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 2013 BMW 128i with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 BMW 128i get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 BMW 128i is 21.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US BMW 128i use?

0W-30 With filter, about 6.9 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US BMW 128i?

Published US specs commonly list front 205/50R17, 205/55R16, 225/45R17 (trim-dependent) and rear 205/50R17, 205/55R16, 225/45R17 (trim-dependent); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US BMW 128i?