2013 BMW X6 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 X6 years
The 2013 BMW X6 has a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst out of 16 model years, and carries an 'Avoid' verdict. It has 25 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls (2 do-not-drive), and airbags account for 56% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 5
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 20 hwy
Top 2013 BMW X6 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags14 (56%)
- Engine8 (32%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (24%)
- Steering3 (12%)
- Fuel System2 (8%)
- Electrical System1 (4%)
- Other1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
What owners report
- Some vehicles caught fire while parked, with the engine area implicated and no injuries reported.
- Drivers describe the transmission unexpectedly jumping to high RPM after shifting into drive or reverse without touching the accelerator, creating a collision risk in parking lots.
- Owners report the water pump failing and being replaced, followed later by a burning smell and smoke near the engine.
- Multiple owners describe long waits for airbag recall parts under campaign 16v071000, with some vehicles going well past a reasonable repair timeframe unrepaired.
- Power steering fluid leaks were reported around the steering gear, with one owner noting the vehicle was not covered by the existing steering recall despite matching symptoms.
- Engine turbo lag was described as a pause after pressing the accelerator before the vehicle moves, followed later by a failure to start traced to the starter and engine.
2013 BMW X6 recalls
5 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 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 BMW X6 a good year to buy?
- NHTSA data shows the 2013 X6 has a complaint index of 80, the 4th worst of 16 model years for this model, so it carries an 'Avoid' rating relative to other X6 years.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2013 BMW X6?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 56% of the 25 NHTSA complaints, with a median failure mileage of 28,500 miles.
- Does the 2013 BMW X6 have a do-not-drive recall?
- Yes. Of the 5 recalls covering this year, 2 are do-not-drive recalls, both involving airbags.
- How does the 2013 X6 compare to other model years?
- Its complaint index of 80 is worse than 2014 (53), 2015 (60), and 2016 (33), but better than 2011 (100) and 2012 (87), both also rated 'Avoid'.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 BMW X6?
- EPA rates the 2013 X6 at 16 mpg combined (14 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,000.