2013 BMW X5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
215 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2013 BMW X5, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 59/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 65,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2013 sits among all X5 years
What owners report
“Engine is hot message appeared and car limps at the freeway speed. It seems to be water pump issue”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 X5
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 X5
“I don't know why bmw would take so long to fix a recall on my car. It's been 6 months and they don't have the parts. It doesn't make any sense, the drive shaft is a safety issue. I took my car to bmw and they can not fix the recall yet because i have to wait for the final notice.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 X5
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 95 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 65,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 50,000 and 83,500 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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.
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.
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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 18V336000.
Technical service bulletins
271 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2013 BMW X5. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2013 BMW X5 reliable?
The 2013 BMW X5 drew 215 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 59/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 2013 BMW X5 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2013 BMW X5 are engine (50 complaints), airbags (50), and transmission & drivetrain (36).
At what mileage do 2013 BMW X5 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2013 BMW X5 problems around 65,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 50,000 and 83,500 miles.
Does the 2013 BMW X5 have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2013 BMW X5. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.