Reliable Auto DB

2013 BMW 528xi reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 BMW 528xi holds 56 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 0 per year. That is about the same complaints per year as the 2012 528xi (0), the only other year on this site. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Exterior lighting.

2012 BMW 528xi
Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain
Complaints

56

Per year

0

Recalls

1

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (32 of 56), then Powertrain (16) and Electrical system (13).

Next to 2012

The 2012 528xi has 54 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2012.

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 528xi. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Exterior lighting 2015-03-31 · NHTSA campaign 15V188000
Summary 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."
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.

Complaints by component (56 total)

Engine
32
Powertrain
16
Electrical system
13
Engine and engine cooling
6
Exterior lighting
5
Air bags
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Seat belts
1
Seats
1
Speed control
1
Steering
1
Structure
1
Show 4 more Show less
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

2201762018820191020204202142022620233202410202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that due to an unrelated failure with the…"
    Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system · filed 2026-08-24
  • "I am submitting this report to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a safety‑related defect involving the BMW N20/N26 engine timing chain assembly. My vehicle experienced a sudden and complete…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-29
  • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 BMW 528XI. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the messages "Drivetrain Malfunction - Drive Moderately" and "Contact…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-03-20
  • "My 2013 BMW 528i was serviced under recall 24V-608 (Coolant Pump Electrical Connector / DME). After the recall was marked complete, the car developed several serious failures: Coolant Pump / Connector (Recall Item) –…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Engine · filed 2025-09-08
  • "Both of my headlights had moisture. I replaced the driverside first because you could literally see water sitting in the headlamp. Then I replaced the passengerside a year later because it was doing the same thing that…"
    Powertrain, Exterior lighting · filed 2025-08-08

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 BMW 528 XI 4 DR AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars

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.

Specs and fitment

F10 generation, 2012–2016
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-20 , 5.3 qt capacity
Tire size 225/55R17, 245/45R18, 275/40R18 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 24V608000 covers certain 2012-2016 528i xDrive models (listed with 528i and other N20 BMW applications) where an improperly sealed water-pump electrical connector may short circuit and increase fire risk; dealers inspect and replace the pump and connector as needed and install a protective shield. The site’s 528xi slug maps to these xDrive sedans in the F10 generation.

Compare

Previous year 2012 BMW 528xi See every BMW 528xi model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW 528xi reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 BMW 528xi holds 56 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 0 per year. That is about the same complaints per year as the 2012 528xi (0), the only other year on this site. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Exterior lighting.

What are common problems with a 2013 BMW 528xi?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (32 of 56), then Powertrain (16) and Electrical system (13).

Is the 2013 BMW 528xi more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 528xi has 54 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2012.

Has the 2013 BMW 528xi been recalled?

The 2013 BMW 528xi has 1 recall 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 528xi?

Owners have filed 56 complaints about the 2013 BMW 528xi with NHTSA.

Is oil specified for the F10 528xi on this record?

Not yet with a sourced fill here — confirm BMW LL viscosity from the under-hood label for your N20/N52 production date.

What does recall 24V608000 cover on the 528xi?

Certain 2012-2016 528i xDrive models (with 528i and other N20 applications): an improperly sealed water-pump electrical connector may short circuit and increase fire risk; dealers inspect and replace the pump and connector as needed.

What years does the F10 528xi cover?

2012-2016 on this site.