The door lock actuators have failed. This makes it so that the doors do not open when you are inside the vehicle attempting to get out by pulling the door handle. This is a safety issue not allowing me to get out of my vehicle. If this issue is not resolved by paying the $1500 to fix the issue the doors will stop opening completely making this even more of a safety issue over time. This issue only gets worse and is directly related to the functionality of the car. This door lock actuator should be recalled on all vehicles bmw makes that are having this same issue. This is a known long-standing issue with these vehicles and has yet to be recalled even though it is absolutely a safety issue. Bmw should not be able to profit off of their poor safety manufacturing mistakes.
The worst 2013 BMW 3 Series problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical7
- Engine7
- Transmission6
- Acceleration4
- Airbags3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical7
- Engine7
- Transmission6
- Acceleration4
- Airbags3
- Brakes2
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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 all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
Loss of power assist braking
In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to the federal safety agency 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 (the federal safety agency 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 camshaft geometry that prevented the seal disk from blocking the oil port.BMW has not received any braking complaints related to loss of power assist after the design change was implemented in production.The owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer who will install a locking ring into the camshaft to keep the seal disk in its proper location.BMW expects to begin dealer and owner notification in November 2013 and complete dealer and owner notification in December when the remedy is expected to be available.Based on the actions taken by BMW, this investigation is closed.
PE13030
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 BMW 3 Series 42
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been...
- Only fuel nozzles with the recommended “specified” diameter for diesel engine passenger vehicles can...
- Radio R/C with FEM Return
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
- This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner...
- SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition...
- Butt connector for repairing a plug connection
- Visual Inspection of Brake discs/Rotors for new car deliveries
2013 BMW 3 Series fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl Hybrid | RWD | 25 | 32 | 28 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 22-23 | 32-34 | 26-27 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | AWD | 16-20 | 25-30 | 19-24 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 17-19 | 23-28 | 19-22 |
What 2013 BMW 3 Series owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Driver and passenger trapped in car after parking at as gas pump. Doors would unlock but not open resulting in the potential of killing its passengers in a crash. There is a video on youtube of a similar incident.
Two wheel rims cracked, only 38,000 miles on vehicle. Rims won't withstand normal road conditions. They are a safety hazard never know when they will crack and causing loosing control while driving.
When I try to open the drivers side door by pulling the handle it does not unlock automatically. The only way to exit the vehicle is through another door or by using the central lock/unlock button. My fear is that in the case of an emergency or accident if the electrical system is compromised I could possibly be trapped in the vehicle. I attempted to have this repaired at the bmw dealership but they claim that the problem being mechanical is not covered by the warranty. On the bmw internet forums there are multiple posts across vehicle models complaining of the same faulty "door actuator" and bmw's unwillingness to repair it free of charge. I was quoted over $950 to replace the part. This is a serious life safety issue I believe needs to be investigated. Thank you very much!
Takata recall: I received a letter from bmw on march 2016 notifying me of the driver's front air bag module recall, campaign no. 16v‑071. Bmw did not have any parts available at the time of notification and indicated they would notify me as soon as they are able to perform the recall on my vehicle. I am concerned for my safety and I think waiting for the airbag to be fixed since march is a reasonable amount of time, considering the seriousness of this matter. If there is anything I can do to speed up this process, please let me know.
Takata recall. I have been attempting to work with bmw corporate and the local dealership in ridgefield ct where I leased the vehicle for the past 3 months and I have yet to successfully resolve the situation. I have 4 months left on my lease and I want bmw to take the vehicle back early as it is unsafe to drive. I survived a train crash in ny just over a year ago where 5 people were killed in the front car I was seated in and I'm not going to risk getting killed by a faulty airbag.
I was driving down I-5 south on june 6 at about 6.30 pm with 2 of my friends. There was traffic on the highway and I applied my brakes after seeing the vehicle in front of me slowing down to a complete stop. My car slowed down but it would not come to a complete stop. It kept rolling. I pressed the brakes hard but I could feel a squealing feeling in the brakes and it just would not stop.it kept rolling. I released pressure on the brakes for a moment and applied full pressure again but still it would not stop. I felt like something was leaking as I pressed down on the brakes and the the complete hold and stop that happens after the brakes are pushed to the floor did not happen this time. I pulled the hand brakes but by that time it was too late. My car then rolled on bumped into the car in front of me which made it come to a stop. I would like to add that this has happened previously in the past. The first time it happened I had sent my car to bmw seattle when my car shifted to neutral by itself because of an engine failure and as it was rolling down I pressed the brakes but could not push it down. I hit a pavement by the right to make it stop .bmw seattle said that they could not find any fault even after me repeatedly telling them that it did happen and something was wrong. This issue resurfaced a few weeks back but luckily there was no one in front of me and after repeatedly releasing the brakes and pressing it hard with full force I made it come to a complete stop. Unfortunately this time I met with an accident because of this issue. I am now really unsure of driving my car anymore.moreover my trust on bmw is compromised as they told me that this issue cannot and did not happen. If the service team cannot find a genuine fault with their system that is happening repeatedly I dont think they can be trusted with the safety of the car.
We have had some snow here in new york this past winter. It seems as if there may be a design flaw with the windshield wiper. For whatever reason the windshield wiper on the right hand side popped. Per the dealer this outside influence voided the guarantee as there was ice under the cowl where the arm is connected to the motor. The photo in the attachment shows the area in question. What gets me is the "ice buildup" that caused this to happen most likely came from the defroster. The snow melts and drains down into the area in question. I'm enclosing a copy of my correspondence with the bmw dealer. 1 attachment (1307.1 kb) click for options view slide show (1) download as zip add to onedrive hi [xxx], here's a picture of my car. I'm letting mother nature get rid of the ice. The design might work in florida. It's a design defect that, if you ask me, should be covered! Regards, information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My husband was refueling our 2013 bmw 335i and I was in the passenger seat. During that process, a pickup truck backed up and was close to hitting our car. From the passenger seat, I tried to warn the other driver with our car's horn, but it did not work, so I resorted to screaming as loud as possible since the windows were also closed. Fortunately, my husband heard me and realized what was happening and got the trucks attention and prevented a potentially catastrophic collision right next to a gas pump. It never even crossed our minds at the time that a horn did not operate when the car's electrical system was switched off with the ignition key, which one must do for fire safety reasons when refueling. Nevertheless, after we got home we tried the bmw's horn when the car was off and there was no response. We tried our 2005 subaru outback's horn with its ignition switched off, and its horn worked just fine. I searched on '2013 bmw horn does not work's' on the internet and the system returned 18,200 results. While I did not read all of them, I found numerous postings about bmw horns not working when the car is off, as far back as 2006. Some internet postings advised having the key in the ignition. I placed the key in the ignition and the dashboard display and I drive screen activated, but the horn did not. Next, I pushed the start button, without engaging the engine, and only then did the horn work. I contacted bmw assist for technical assistance and spoke to a bmw customer service representative in columbus, oh. He confirmed that the horn is operating as designed. He said he would enter my concern into the customer feedback database. We think being unable to warn distracted drivers about to crash into your occupied but parked car is a hazard at least worthy of prominent warnings to drivers of bmws and any other vehicle with this "feature".
The car has displayed "drivetrain malfunction, drive moderately" twice now in less than one year of ownership. When this display has occurred, the car goes into "limp mode" and can only be driven at low speeds or with very sluggish acceleration. This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially.
Compare the 2013 BMW 3 Series
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Questions about the 2013 BMW 3 Series
Is the 2013 BMW 3 Series reliable?
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2013 BMW 3 Series, fewer than a typical 3 Series model year.
What is the 2013 BMW 3 Series year score?
The 2013 BMW 3 Series scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 3 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW 3 Series?
Electrical system, with 7 complaints, typically around 4,000 miles. Next is engine (7).
How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 3 Series have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the BMW 3 Series have the most electrical problems?
The BMW 3 Series model years with the most electrical complaints are 2006 (32 complaints), 2007 (31 complaints) and 2008 (19 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2013 BMW 3 Series get?
Official estimates for the 2013 BMW 3 Series range from 19 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl hybrid, RWD) gets 25 city and 32 highway.
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