Is the 2013 Bmw 528I reliable?

The 2013 Bmw 528I has 119 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Bmw 528I?

Top problems: ENGINE (48 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (17 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (14 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Bmw 528I?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP. Contact any Bmw dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Bmw 528I?

The 2013 Bmw 528I gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Bmw 528I?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Bmw 528I is approximately $1,853/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 528I

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Bmw 528I has 119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 103. The most common issue is engine problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: this car has a push-button start/stop on the dash and not a key insert. twice, i have somehow, with the car in "park" exited-car not moving-on a level surfaced parking lot- and locked the car only to discover the car engine was still running. last friday this happened and i took my key fob into my o. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports 5 injuries

119

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

48 complaints

40%

• THIS CAR HAS A PUSH-BUTTON START/STOP ON THE DASH AND NOT A KEY INSERT. TWICE, I HAVE SOMEHOW, WITH THE CAR IN "PARK" EXITED-CAR NOT MOVING-ON A LEVEL SURFACED PARKING LOT- AND LOCKED THE CAR ONLY TO DISCOVER THE CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. LAST FRIDAY THIS HAPPENED AND I TOOK MY KEY FOB INTO MY O
• WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION INDICATOR CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING. THE TIMING CHAIN WAS STRETCHED AND THE GUIDES CAME APART.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A PUNGENT ODOR WAS PERCEIVED IN THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY TWENTY SECONDS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION KICKED OUT OF GEAR AND THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS AL

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

“THIS CAR HAS A PUSH-BUTTON START/STOP ON THE DASH AND NOT A KEY INSERT. TWICE, I HAVE SOMEHOW, WITH THE CAR IN "PARK" EXITED-CAR NOT MOVING-ON A LEVEL SURFACED PARKING LOT- AND LOCKED THE CAR ONLY TO DISCOVER THE CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. LAST FRIDAY THIS HAPPENED AND I TOOK MY KEY FOB INTO MY O”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Bmw 528I

Based on 80 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 87K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 97K mi · 40 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 87K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 63K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 91K mi · 8 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.

Recalls (4)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING31/03/2015

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Bmw 528I

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,778

Per month

$148

Per mile

14.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,455/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Bmw 528I

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

$1,853

Full coverage / month

$154

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+11%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1853

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw 528I 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 528I, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 119 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: THIS CAR HAS A PUSH-BUTTON START/STOP ON THE DASH AND NOT A KEY INSERT. TWICE, I HAVE SOMEHOW, WITH THE CAR IN "PARK" EXITED-CAR NOT MOVING-ON A LEVEL SURFACED PARKING LOT- AND LOCKED THE CAR ONLY TO DISCOVER THE CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. LAST FRIDAY THIS HAPPENED AND I TOOK MY KEY FOB INTO MY O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: DRIVER RESTRAINT /AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ON TO NO APPARENT REASON. DEALER STATES THAT THE CAR MUST HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENT ，BUT ONLY A MINOR SCUFF ON THE REAR NUMBER WAS OBSERVED. DEALER STATED THE MINOR SCUFF HAS CAUSED THE SYSTEM LIGHTS TO STAY ON AND WILL NOT COVER THE COST UNDER THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I HAVE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WHERE AT RANDOM TIMES (ABOUT 2X PER MONTH) THE DOORS MAKE A RATCHETING SOUND LIKE THE MOTOR IS TRYING TO LOCK AND UNLOCK DOOR IN VERY QUICK SEQUENCE. IT HAPPENS RIGHT AFTER I OPEN THE DOOR COMING INTO THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. I UNLOCK VIA THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: MY CAR ONLY HAS 53,791 MILES AND THE SHUT DOWN TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE WARNING POPPED UP ON MY SCREEN DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. AND I COULDN'T RESTART MY CAR. I WAS LUCKY TO BE BY THE STOP SIGN WHEN IT DIED AND NOT ON THE 50 MPH ROAD OR FREEWAY. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK SHOWED UP AN HOUR LATER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)