YearToAvoid

2013 BMW X6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2013 BMW X6 has a complaint index of 79, ranking 5th worst out of 20 model years, and earns an Avoid verdict. It has 25 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls (2 do-not-drive), and airbags account for 56% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
79/100
#5 of 20 X6 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
25
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
2 Do Not Drive
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2016
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 20 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2013 BMW X6 problems

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

  1. Airbags14 (56%)
  2. Engine8 (32%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain6 (24%)
  4. Steering3 (12%)
  5. Fuel System2 (8%)
  6. Electrical System1 (4%)
  7. Other1 (4%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Some owners report the engine catching fire while the vehicle was parked, in one case near 107,000 miles.
  • Owners describe the tachometer jumping unexpectedly to 1,000 or 1,500 RPM when shifting into drive or reverse without touching the accelerator, raising collision concerns.
  • Some owners report a burning smell and smoke from the engine area shortly after a water pump replacement.
  • Several owners describe long waits for Takata airbag recall parts, with dealers reporting parts unavailable for extended periods.
  • Owners report power steering fluid leaking from the gear area, with some saying their vehicle was not covered by the existing steering recall.
  • Some owners describe turbo lag on acceleration, where the vehicle pauses before moving forward when merging into traffic.
  • One owner reports the vehicle failed to start and was diagnosed with a starter replacement, but the failure recurred, around 70,000 miles.
2013 BMW X6 complaints: complaints filed per month5Jul 2015Nov 2016May 2017Oct 2017Dec 2018Feb 2021
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2015 to Jul 2024; peak Aug 2017 (5).

2013 BMW X6 recalls

5 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 18V030000Jan 9, 2018Airbags41,808 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, 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, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xdrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." 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 front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 5 recalls for the 2013 BMW X6 →

2013 BMW X6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$5,000
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 X6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid893111 !16
2012Avoid84327 !16
2013Avoid79255 !16
2014Caution53113 !17
2015Caution589119

All BMW X6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW X6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 X6 ranks 5th worst out of 20 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 79 and an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW X6?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 56% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 32% and transmission/powertrain issues at 24%.
Does the 2013 BMW X6 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 X6, including 2 do-not-drive recalls related to Takata airbag inflators.
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 BMW X6?
NHTSA lists 25 complaints for the 2013 X6, with a median mileage at failure of 55,000 miles overall.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 BMW X6?
The 2013 X6 is rated at 16 mpg combined (14 city/20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,000 according to the EPA.

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.