KnownCarProblems2013 BMW X5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 149 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW X5, most often about the engine (34% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). It is 8th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2013 BMW X5 problems
Engine
51 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
After 65,00 miles while driving the engine locked up and will not run. The car did not have an oil leak or excessive consumption, but heavy black soot was emitted from the tail pipes enough that has turned the rear tailpipe surround black. I had BMW dealer look at this twice and they found it to be normal. A new…
The vehicle has a throttle delay issue. When stopped at a light or stop sign and ready to go it will take as long as 2 seconds for the vehicle to respond and start moving after you depress the gas peddle. This is very dangerous and will eventually cost someone their life.
Air bags
47 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
During frontal impact at 34+MPH, airbag did not deploy; driver hit steering wheel and passed out; brakes did not function properly either (was serviced by BMW dealership less than 2 months ago); vehicle slid straight into car in front of it and brakes did not engage properly with driver pressing brake petal
Passenger seat sensor for airbag has failed. Was told not covered under warranty or any recall, estimate of $2,200. Was told that safety system is now compromised for passenger.
Transmission
36 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
When we accelerate, the vehicle shudders/hesitates to the point where it feels incredibly unsafe to drive. When we took the X5 to the mechanic, the mechanic said that it was odd that there would be a transfer case problem at such low mileage on the X5, which was at 67000 miles at the time. When I researched online if…
My x-5 started producing smoke from under the hood while driving and while stopped at a traffic light. When I reached home, I didn't see the smoke anymore, but it smelled like something was burning. A few days later, the oil at minimal level warning light came on. I took my truck into the galleria BMW dealership and…
Electrical
21 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles.
While driving one rainy afternoon on a city road, I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The smoke turned into flames. I pulled over and called 911. An off duty police officer stopped and had a fire extinguisher. He was able to put out most of the fire until the fire department showed up and finished the job. The…
Faulty door lock actuators cause doors to lock but not unlock with button or key fob. Happened after dealer charged to replace junction box module.
Other or unspecified
18 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles.
I heard the engine fan going at max speed. About a mile later, warning messages came on to drive the car moderately and then to pull over and turn it off. Said the engine temperature was too high. Electronic water pump failure
My x-5 started producing smoke from under the hood while driving and while stopped at a traffic light. When I reached home, I didn't see the smoke anymore, but it smelled like something was burning. A few days later, the oil at minimal level warning light came on. I took my truck into the galleria BMW dealership and…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
Vehicle parked and turned off at my home. Many hours later vehicle was discovered by a one of my children on fire . Resulting fire destroyed the auto and ignited a major fire to my residence.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact stated that the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed that the fuel tank sensor needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The…
Brakes
7 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact stated that when braking to a stop, the vehicle would independently veer to the right or left before completely stopping. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brakes, rotors and bolts were replaced however, the failure recurred after the repair. The vehicle was…
During frontal impact at 34+MPH, airbag did not deploy; driver hit steering wheel and passed out; brakes did not function properly either (was serviced by BMW dealership less than 2 months ago); vehicle slid straight into car in front of it and brakes did not engage properly with driver pressing brake petal
Body and structure
5 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: body.
Exploding sunroof. 2013 BMW X5 sunroof exploded with a sound like a gunshot while driving on clear day in low 40s (f) degrees. No objects impacted the glass. Two glass panels affected with panels arching upward. No other damage. Manufacturer agreed to repair without charge.
Plastic fire wall bulkhead between engine compartment and cabin filter housing location, bulkhead is prone to breakage and will snap between the upper sections and the lower letting fumes travel into the passages compartment. Engine compartment chemical fumes will is smelled in the cabin of the car when the car is…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 BMW X5 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On x5 and x6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began march 11, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i convertibles, 128i, 135i, and m coupes, 2007-2010 x3 30si and x3 xdrive30i, 2013-2015 x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i and x1 xdrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xdrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xdrive and m3 coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xdrive and m3, 2009-2011 335d, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xdrive, 2010-2011 x6 activehybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, m3 coupes, x5 30si, x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 48i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i and x5 m, 2009-2013 x5 xdrive35d and 2008-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i and x6m vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradat
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began march 14, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2007-2013 x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i and x5 m vehicles, 2008-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i and x6 m vehicles, 2009-2013 x5 xdrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 x6 activehybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Engine
Risk: If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began march 11, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2009-2013 x5 xdrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin march 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2007-2013 x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i, x5 m, 2009-2010 x5 xdrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i, and x6 m vehicles ever registered in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." bmw is also recalling certain 2007-2010 x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i, x5 m, x5 xdrive35d, x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i and x6m vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone b."
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on april 18, 2017. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc, (bmw) is recalling certain 2011-2013 x5 xdrive35i, x5 xdrive50i, x5 m and x5 xdrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i and x6m vehicles, and 2011 x6 activehybrid vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
Steering
Risk: Leaking power steering fluid can spray onto hot exhaust parts, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the steering gear free of charge. The safety recall began on july 20, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2012 x5 vehicles equipped with a diesel engine and 2013 x5 and x6 vehicles. Due to a machining error of the steering gear surface, power steering fluid may leak.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Idler pulley bolt failure
Summary
In a may 23, 2018 letter, bmw of north america, llc (bmw) notified the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (my) 2009 through 2013 bmw x5 xdrive35d vehicles (recall 18v-336). The recall, which affects approximately 33,214 vehicles built from march 12, 2008 through june 27, 2013, corrects the remedy and expands the scope of a prior bmw recall (12v-550) which addressed idle pulley bolt failure in approximately 29,800 my 2009 through 2012 bmw x5 xdrive35d vehicles built from september 1, 2008 through november 15, 2012. Bmw's analysis indicates that due to a number of contributing fact
Questions about the 2013 BMW X5
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW X5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (51 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); air bags (47 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); transmission (36 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 BMW X5 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the BMW X5?
- It is 8th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints, with 149 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.