2013 Bmw X5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (30) · Engine (26) · Air Bags (26)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
67 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-01-15 · campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-14 · campaign 19V017000 · 83,016 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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 passeng
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2018-05-23 · campaign 18V336000 · 33,214 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-09 · campaign 18V030000 · 41,808 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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 2007-201
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2017-03-02 · campaign 17V138000 · 121,909 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
Risk: If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Steering 2012-06-13 · campaign 12V267000 · 2,642 vehicles
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 X5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND 2013 X5 AND X6 VEHICLES. DUE TO A MACHINING ERROR OF THE STEERING GEAR SURFACE, POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK.
Risk: LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAN SPRAY ONTO HOT EXHAUST PARTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (272)
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 2026-09-21 · B611025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a 12-volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programmingprocedure- the bmw footwell module (frm) may become unresponsive. as a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: headlights including the high beams
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.
Engine 2025-03-27 · B110614 · Service Campaign
this bulletin outlines the customer care package program that has been designed exclusively for bmwvehicles with the n63 engine. vehicles with the n63 high performance engine are engineered with efficientdynamics that provides fueleconomy without compromising on its “class leading” power and perform
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 2025-02-20 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Showing the 6 most recent of 272 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-19 · Engine“i’m currently experiencing two issues. i’ve done the necessary repairs on one of the issues. the first concern is related to the idle when starting up the vehicle. the combination meter one of them hesitant to continue going up on its own while the accelerator is not being touched. and the driver side actuator is having issues as if it’s stuck..…”
2026-06-26 · Power Train“my vehicle has suffered catastrophic electrical failure due to water intrusion directly into the rear cargo compartment. this water ingress has destroyed vital electronic control modules that were designed and placed in low-lying, unsealed body cavities—an engineering layout heavily documented as a design vulnerability in the e70 chassis. my safe…”
2026-06-26 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“a fire started under my hood immediately after starting my car. …”
2026-03-10 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“my family and i were traveling from maryland to florida, with a planned stop in atlanta. we were driving our 2013 bmw x5 x drive 35i and were traveling southbound on [xxx] through greenville, south carolina when the incident occurred. while driving at highway speed, my husband suddenly noticed multiple error messages appearing on the vehicle’s dis…”
2025-12-19 · Engine“the egr system in my 2013 bmw x5d has failed. there is a recall notice for the egr system on the 2014 bmw x5d with the same engine and exhaust system related to a fire warning. it would seem to make sense to include the my car in the recall under the circumstances. …”
2025-12-18 · Unknown Or Other“the componet that failed is the cars electric system in the rear. battery gets so hot its melted a 2nd orange box on top of the battery. burned a hole right through. attempted to start the vehicle, now it's throwing big sparks in the rear battery compartment. abs warnings, brake warnings, it leaks. it will not start again! we have no transportatio…”
2025-11-24 · Engine“component or system that failed/malfunctioned n63 4.4l twin-turbo v8 engine – excessive oil consumption (1 quart every 300–400 miles) caused by failed valve-stem seals and leaking turbocharger coolant feed/return lines. parts are still on the vehicle and available for inspection. how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? sudden loss…”
2025-08-11 · Engine“the primary component that has malfunctioned is the engine's valve stem seals, which are available for inspection upon request. this defect has led to excessive oil consumption, which has now escalated to a critical safety issue. the vehicle is emitting a huge amount of thick smoke from the exhaust with a strong smell of burnt oil, and multiple eng…”
2025-04-16 · Engine“check engine light indicated on the dash, immediately took it to an nearby auto mechanic tuffy in fort myers florida, off of daniel's parkway. the said the diagnostic said it was valve cover and gasket replacement. got a second opinion at apex auto in tire in fort myers. had them install a new valve cover and gasket cover. check engine light was st…”
2025-01-05 · Service Brakes“my 2013 x5 is not on the recall list, but it is experiencing the same issue described in the recall for the 2013 x5 ( see below). recently, i began receiving a message on my dashboard indicating the alert related to the parking brake. two weeks ago, when i started the vehicle, i was unable to shift into any gear, and also the parking brake malfunc…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.