Is the 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES reliable?

The 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES has 34 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (7 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (7 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES?

No recalls have been issued for the 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Bmw 3 SERIES

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 34. The most common issue is electrical problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: as my wife open the door and sits , she pulled the door to close but it wont lock up try several times to do it with the remote but wont lock up. afraid to drive car!!! *tr.

3 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

7 complaints

21%

• AS MY WIFE OPEN THE DOOR AND SITS , SHE PULLED THE DOOR TO CLOSE BUT IT WONT LOCK UP TRY SEVERAL TIMES TO DO IT WITH THE REMOTE BUT WONT LOCK UP. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR!!! *TR
• AUTO START/STOP FUNCTION HAS MALFUNCTIONED BEFORE WHERE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR DOESN'T START AGAIN. NORMALLY I CAN JUST PRESS THE START BUTTON AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. THIS TIME, HOWEVER, I WENT TO START IT AGAIN AFTER IT HAD AN "AUTO START/STOP MALFUNCTION", AND IT WOULDN'T TURN BAC
• I WAS REARENDED, ON THE FREEWAY, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BY AN SUV GOING ABOUT 40MPH, I SLAMMED IN TO ANOTHER SUV IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG DEPLOY ERROR. ALSO, THE REASON MY CAR WAS TOTALED WAS BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“AS MY WIFE OPEN THE DOOR AND SITS , SHE PULLED THE DOOR TO CLOSE BUT IT WONT LOCK UP TRY SEVERAL TIMES TO DO IT WITH THE REMOTE BUT WONT LOCK UP. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR!!! *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES

Based on 31 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 3K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw 3 SERIES Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2013 3 SERIES, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 34 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: AS MY WIFE OPEN THE DOOR AND SITS , SHE PULLED THE DOOR TO CLOSE BUT IT WONT LOCK UP TRY SEVERAL TIMES TO DO IT WITH THE REMOTE BUT WONT LOCK UP. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR!!! *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: AUTO START/STOP FUNCTION HAS MALFUNCTIONED BEFORE WHERE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR DOESN'T START AGAIN. NORMALLY I CAN JUST PRESS THE START BUTTON AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. THIS TIME, HOWEVER, I WENT TO START IT AGAIN AFTER IT HAD AN "AUTO START/STOP MALFUNCTION", AND IT WOULDN'T TURN BAC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: THE SUBJECT VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE CAR WAS SLOWLY TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT. THE DRIVER HAD TO SUDDENLY PRESS VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: THE SUBJECT VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE CAR WAS SLOWLY TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT. THE DRIVER HAD TO SUDDENLY PRESS VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Bmw 3 SERIES — Year Comparison

How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2013

34Average

2012

11Excellent Reliability

2010

43Below Average

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints: 34
Recalls: 0
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 3
Injury reports: 0
Segment avg: 34

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Bmw 3 SERIES

Compare With

2013 Ford C-MAX231 complaints 2013 Ford C-MAX ENERGI65 complaints 2013 Ford C-MAX HYBRID179 complaints 2013 Ford E-15029 complaints