Representative 2012 model. Photo: Navigator84, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2013 BMW 5 Series recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2013 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 194
Latest campaign: Aug 13, 2024

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	Oct 7, 2014	14V627000 13V454000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Aug 13, 2024	24V608000
Exterior lighting	1	Mar 31, 2015	15V188000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Aug 13, 2024Latest campaign


Aug 13, 202424V608000	Engine and engine cooling: cooling system pump An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 24V608000 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 circuit. Risk An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. Remedy 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 528i Campaign NHTSA 24V608000 · Aug 13, 2024
Mar 31, 201515V188000	Exterior lighting The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V188000 What's wrong 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." Risk The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. 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. Filed under 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i, 550xi Campaign NHTSA 15V188000 · Mar 31, 2015
Oct 7, 201414V627000	Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist vacuum A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V627000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under 528i Campaign NHTSA 14V627000 · Oct 7, 2014
Sep 26, 201313V454000	Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist vacuum A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V454000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Filed under 528i Campaign NHTSA 13V454000 · Sep 26, 2013

Merged from NHTSA model names: 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i, 550xi. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component194

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

194Complaints filed

3Involving a crash

3Involving a fire

7Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	90	46	1	2	2
Electrical system	42	22	1	2	1
Power train	35	18	0	0	0
Air bags	21	11	2	0	4
Unknown or other	19	10	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	18	9	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	18	9	0	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	12	6	0	1	0
Seat belts	6	3	0	0	0
Steering	6	3	0	0	0
Structure	6	3	1	0	3
Service brakes	5	3	1	0	1
Tires	5	3	0	0	0
Suspension	5	3	0	0	0
Seats	4	2	0	0	1

9 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names 528I, 528I Xdrive, 528XI, 535I, 535I GT, 535I Xdrive, 535I Xdrive GT, 535XI, 550I, 550I GT, 550I Xdrive, 550I Xdrive GT, 550XI.

Latest reports

Engine
“UKNOWN EXACT PROBLEM. 2013 BMW 535i with the same N55 motor with the [XXX] recall. Similar symptoms: Drivetrain malfunction and "camshaft stuck" code with loud metallic clanking in upper front of engine bay.”
Filed 10/12/2026 · ODI 11770616
Engine and engine cooling
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM).”
Filed 08/24/2026 · ODI 11759052
Engine
“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.”
Filed 07/29/2026 · ODI 11753542

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2013 BMW 5 Series recall questions

How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 5 Series have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2013 BMW 5 Series. The most recent, 24V608000 (reported August 13, 2024), concerns engine and engine cooling. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2013 BMW 5 Series recalls for?

The largest group is service brakes, hydraulic, with 2 campaigns. Others: engine and engine cooling (1), exterior lighting (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2013 BMW 5 Series?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 90 complaints out of 194 filed with NHTSA (46%). Across all complaints, owners reported 3 crashs and 3 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2013 BMW 5 Series?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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