2013 BMW X3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 BMW X3 ranks 3rd worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 90 and 226 NHTSA complaints, 73% of them engine-related. It carries an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by engine fires and seven recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 X3 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 226
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2013 BMW X3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine166 (73%)
- Transmission & Powertrain60 (27%)
- Electrical System31 (14%)
- Brakes19 (8%)
- Fuel System17 (8%)
- Other15 (7%)
- Airbags8 (4%)
- Steering6 (3%)
- Structure & Body5 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engine compartment fires starting while driving or shortly after parking, sometimes with black smoke visible through the dashboard before flames spread.
- Several complaints describe total-loss fires that began at the water pump or timing chain area, in one case after a prior warranty repair for a timing chain guide.
- One owner reported a fire igniting from the steering box while the vehicle was parked.
- Brake complaints describe the engine racing and the vehicle continuing to move forward when the brake pedal is pressed, sometimes with warning lights flashing.
- An electrical complaint describes a rear windshield wiper that would not shut off and drained the electrical system.
- A transmission complaint describes sudden unexpected acceleration while backing up that led to a collision.
2013 BMW X3 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 24V527000Jul 11, 2024Airbags1,145 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 17V495000Aug 8, 2017Airbags6,785 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2013 BMW X3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other X3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 BMW X3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 X3 ranks 3rd worst among 21 model years, with a complaint index of 90 and 226 complaints, most tied to the engine.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 BMW X3?
- Engine problems dominate, making up 73% of complaints (166 of 226), including reports of engine fires with a median failure mileage of 85,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 BMW X3 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2013 X3, covering airbags, brakes, and electrical system issues, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year BMW X3 should I avoid?
- Among X3 years with data, 2007, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 carry Avoid verdicts; 2013 has a complaint index of 90, the third highest of all 21 years.
- Are there fires reported in the 2013 BMW X3?
- Yes, NHTSA data shows 10 fire incidents reported for the 2013 X3, with several sample complaints describing engine compartment fires.