YearToAvoid

2013 BMW X5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2013 BMW X5 has 162 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th of 21 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, capped from what its complaint index alone would suggest because it has two Do Not Drive recalls tied to airbag inflators.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
40/100
#13 of 21 X5 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
162
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
7
2 Do Not Drive
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
7
Injuries
8
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2016
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17.5
15 city / 21.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0

Top 2013 BMW X5 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine57 (35%)
  2. Airbags52 (32%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain37 (23%)
  4. Electrical System22 (14%)
  5. Other19 (12%)
  6. Brakes10 (6%)
  7. Structure & Body10 (6%)
  8. Fuel System9 (6%)
  9. Seat Belts5 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy during a frontal crash while brakes reportedly did not engage properly.
  • Owners report engine compartment fires starting after the vehicle had been parked and turned off for hours.
  • Smoke and flames emerged from under the hood while driving, in one case traced to the area near the turbo and catalytic converter.
  • The engine stalled suddenly at highway speed and would not restart, with the dealer unable to duplicate the failure.
  • Vehicles pulled to one side when braking even after rotors and bolts were replaced.
  • The sunroof shattered loudly and arched upward while driving on a clear, cold day with no impact.
2013 BMW X5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter172012 Q42015 Q22017 Q12018 Q32020 Q22021 Q42023 Q32025 Q2
162 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q2 (17).

2013 BMW X5 recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 7 recalls for the 2013 BMW X5 →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid8528717 !17.5
2012Avoid9029214 !17.5
2013Caution401627 !17.5
2014Caution2598821.5
2015Caution50152621

All BMW X5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW X5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013 X5 has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 13th out of 21 model years, putting it in the middle of the pack rather than among the worst.
Why does the 2013 BMW X5 have a Caution verdict instead of a lower one?
Its complaint index of 40 would suggest a milder rating, but the verdict is capped to Caution because two of its seven recalls are Do Not Drive airbag campaigns.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2013 BMW X5?
Engine complaints are the largest category, with 57 complaints making up 35% of all reports and a median failure mileage of 56,000.
Does the 2013 BMW X5 have an airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag recalls covering the 2013 X5, including two Do Not Drive campaigns related to airbag inflators.
What years of the BMW X5 are worse than 2013?
NHTSA data shows 2009, 2011, 2012, 2021, 2024, and 2025 all carry Avoid verdicts with higher complaint indexes than the 2013 model's 40.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.