2013 BMW X5

◆ Worse than typical

2013 BMW X5
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:47:13.604Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2013: 148 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1999	0
2000	29
2001	160
2002	102
2003	99
2004	64
2005	82
2006	167
2007	71
2008	215
2009	138
2010	122
2011	263
2012	271
2013	148
2014	98
2015	149
2016	70
2017	73
2018	67
2019	177
2020	97
2021	95
2022	56
2023	29
2024	141
2025	56
2026	10

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 32%

32% of complaints: air bags — 47 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20161005

ENGINE 30%

30% of complaints: engine — 44 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

After driving for an hour I noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the car, I opened the hood to and noticed the smoke coming from under the plastic cover which covers the turbo and catalytic converter In That area.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240903

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190225

POWER TRAIN 22%

22% of complaints: power train — 33 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 20240903

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190225

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20120720 — steering

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.

Remedy: 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

Campaign 12V267000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2013 — complaint volume: 148

R 20170418 — power train

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V138000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180309 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V030000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180418 — RQ (closed 20181201)

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

R 20190311 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V336000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190314 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V017000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200311 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 20V017000 — check if this car was fixed