2013 Bmw X1 Sav problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (26) · Service Brakes (5) · Power Train (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X1 Sav model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
33 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2014-10-07 · campaign 14V627000 · 8,988 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power as
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2013-09-26 · campaign 13V454000 · 76,191 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Service bulletins (131)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-05-06 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2025-03-13 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-10-01 · B110317 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for the above-referenced vehicles, bmw of north america, llc (bmw na) is extending the limited warranty for the engine timing chain and oil pump drive chain modules to: 7 years/70,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.
Power Train:driveline:chain/Belt 2021-09-01 · B110221 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
with the court's final approval, bmw of north america, llc (bmw na) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: gelis, et al. v. bayerische motoren werke aktiengesellschaft and bmw of north america, llc.
Power Train 2021-09-01 · B110317 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw of north america, llc (bmw na) is extending the limited warranty for the engine timing chain and oil pump drive chain modules to: 7 years/70,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date
Showing the 6 most recent of 131 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-12-26 · Electrical System · 100,800 mi“2 months after reporting a dead/drained battery, it has happened again. the alarm starts whining and then the car needs to be jumped because the battery is dead. car was stationary when occurred, and is driven daily during the school year, but can sit for a few days during school breaks.…”
2019-11-24 · Electrical System · 111,000 mi“strong electrical burning smell from vents the smell does not go away when recirculating the air and i suspect it is not coming from outside of the engine bay b. this issue is very similar to the symptoms documented in safety recall 17v-676 ' blower motor wiring ' 2006-2011 bmw 3 series…”
2019-10-28 · Electrical System · 100,000 mi“bought the car from a dealer with a new battery. battery died 5 days later for no apparent reason. nothing worked on car. had to jump it. was told by mechanic to buy a different battery. that new battery died 6 days later. nothing worked on car. had to jump it. apparently from my research, this model has an issue with the negative battery terminal …”
2019-07-01 · Seat Belts“passenger air bag light coming on and off and seatbelt light always on while driving two days after recall for driver airbag was done this issue started. the dealership person told me that i had to wait until the lights are steady to fix the problem , something about a sensor or weight mat.…”
2019-05-21 · Electrical System · 74,300 mi“my got hit on the drive side door breaking the side view mirror. took the car to the body shop and i went to pick up my car, the car didn't start as if no electrical power, no power at all, they jump start my car and i brought the car home, the next day no electrical power again, i called the shop where i got my dent fixed and took the car they sai…”
2019-05-10 · Service Brakes · 43,000 mi“the brakes will not hold on wet streets. they also will not hold on snow covered streets. you have to pump them when you try to hold them down .sometimes when you hold them down they lock in place. a failure of the brake vacuum pump results in the reduced braking power that coul increase the risk of a crash.. the airbag deployment: in the event…”
2019-03-31 · Vehicle Speed Control · 69,900 mi“was driving on highway 65mph car loss power check engine light.motor raddle,had rapid declaration loss all power almost got hit from rearend was able to pull off highway i was in slow lane.just purchased this car . .check engine light said safe to drive.took back to a car dealer.car had turbo malfunction waste gate actuator.this is problem that n…”
2019-03-09 · Power Train · 53,000 mi“'transmission failure' warning error occurs when auto stop start (ass) mode enabled causing transmission to fail ; car requires restart which is extremely hazardous in normal driving conditions. bmw appears uncertain of how to resolve issue. 53k miles with all required service completed on vehicle to-date. car will operate and transmission will shi…”
2019-02-14 · Power Train · 61,000 mi“while starting the car from the parking, check engine light flashed and car went into limp mode. i can't drive more than 30 mph. upon inspecting, flex disc (guibo)/read driveshaft, rear beginning to crack. service center mentioned that if the driveshaft is broken while in motion, it might cause a serious safety issue as the driveshaft might fall do…”
2019-01-25 · Exterior Lighting · 51,000 mi“we were driving along the northern state parkway when all the vehicles indicator lights began flashing, the speed and rpm needle stopped working, the check engine light came on, the navigation eventually blacked out, and the car lost power while driving. as we drifted toward the side of the road, the car turned on again but all lights in the car c…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.