2013 BMW 528I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 BMW 528I: 4 recalls, 73 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #13V454000 · 2013 · 76,191 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance May fail.
Why it matters: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V627000 · 2014 · 8,988 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance May fail. Note: this recall is an expansion of recall 13v-454.
Why it matters: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #15V188000 · 2015 · 13,443 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: The vehicle May be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017.
Electrical, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #24V608000 · 2024 · 720,796 vehicles
What's wrong: Bmw of north america, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i, 2012-2016 z4 sdrive28i, 528i, 528i xdrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 x5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xdrive, 328xi gran turismo, 2013-2017 x3 sdrive28i, x3 xdrive28i, 2015-2018 x4 xdrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump May be exposed to water and short…
Why it matters: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (37): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (11), warning light on (8).
- Airbags (14): the most common themes are warning light on (3).
- Electrical (14): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), fire / smoke (6), warning light on (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (13): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
The 2013 BMW 528I has 73 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 15 528I model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 55). Complaints peaked in 2019 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 89,560 miles. Neighboring years: 2012 (90 complaints, 4 recalls), 2014 (57 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 27 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 BMW 528I.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 BMW 528I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2013 BMW 528I. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 BMW 528I problems?
Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (37), airbags (14), electrical (14).
What gas mileage does the 2013 BMW 528I get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 BMW 528I repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.