2013 BMW X5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 X5 years
The 2013 BMW X5 has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. It logged 162 complaints, 7 recalls (including 2 do-not-drive airbag recalls), 7 fires, and a median failure mileage of 60,500 miles.
- Complaints
- 162
- Recalls
- 7
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 21.5 hwy
Top 2013 BMW X5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine57 (35%)
- Airbags52 (32%)
- Transmission & Powertrain37 (23%)
- Electrical System22 (14%)
- Other19 (12%)
- Brakes10 (6%)
- Structure & Body10 (6%)
- Fuel System9 (6%)
- Seat Belts5 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
What owners report
- Engine fires have started after the vehicle was parked and shut off, sometimes hours later, occasionally spreading to the surrounding structure.
- Smoke and flames have emerged from under the hood while driving, near the turbo and catalytic converter area.
- Airbags have failed to deploy during frontal crashes at speeds above 34 mph, with brakes reported as unresponsive at the same time.
- The engine has stalled suddenly at highway speed and failed to restart, with the failure recurring on multiple occasions.
- Electric door locks have engaged with the key fob left inside the vehicle, locking occupants including a child in a car seat inside during hot weather.
- The panoramic sunroof has shattered suddenly while driving on a clear day with no impact from outside objects.
2013 BMW X5 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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 degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 19V017000Jan 14, 2019Airbags83,016 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 18V336000May 23, 2018Engine33,214 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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.
Risk: If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2013 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 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 X5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 BMW X5 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 162 complaints and a Complaint Index of 60 for the 2013 X5, ranking 7th worst of 16 model years covered, which earns it a Caution verdict relative to other X5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW X5?
- Engine issues make up 35% of complaints, followed by airbags at 32% and transmission/powertrain problems at 23%. Median mileage at failure ranges from 49,000 for brakes to 70,500 for structure/body issues.
- Does the 2013 BMW X5 have a do-not-drive recall?
- Yes, two of the seven recalls for the 2013 X5 are do-not-drive recalls, both involving airbags (campaigns 19V017000 and 18V030000).
- How does the 2013 X5 compare to other model years?
- The 2013 X5 (Complaint Index 60) is worse than 2016-2018 (Best, index 0-13) but better than 2011, 2012, 2024, and 2025, which are rated Avoid with indexes of 80, 87, 100, and 93.