2013 Bmw X5 Sav problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (4) · Air Bags (4) · Service Brakes (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X5 Sav model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
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 bulletins (12)
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 2026-04-23 · B611026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a 12-volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programming procedure- 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 beam
Fuel/Propulsion System 2024-09-16 · B131110 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
only fuel nozzles with the recommended “specified” diameter for diesel engine passenger vehicles can beinserted into the filler neck. most fuel stations have their diesel fuel pumps fitted with this recommendeddiameter fuel nozzle. however, if the vehicle’s filler-neck misfuelling protection system
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.
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.
Electrical System 2018-08-01 · B170318 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
butt connector for repairing a plug connection. the ?top up coolant? message is displayed in the central display (cc message id 166). when checking the cooling system there are no leaks found and the expansion tank is filled to the proper level.
Equipment 2017-06-01 · SIM010917 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. this service information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as dangerous goods (dg) to lighting resources, llc
Showing the 6 most recent of 12 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-03-02 · Engine · 68,000 mi“oil leak from the valve cover gasket gets into the hot manifold causing a burning oil smell and smoke getting into the cabin through the ac vents causing a major safety issue.…”
2018-10-26 · Structure:body · 71,000 mi“vehicle was stopped and in park. passenger was in front seat. driver locked vehicle prematurely while outside. passenger was unable to exit vehicle. attempted to unlock vehicle with key fob but would not respond. passenger pushed lock/unlock buttons in vehicle with no response. driver reentered vehicle to try to help. unable to help and driver's d…”
2018-10-26 · Engine · 56,000 mi“n63 engine failure and battery charging problems. engine blows massive amounts of white smoke from rear tailpipes and battery indicator states low charge. this is a known defect to bmw as thousands have complained but bmw is attempting to weasel there way out of this by not releasing a recall.…”
2018-08-27 · Service Brakes · 88,900 mi“when parking the vehicle the parking brake symbol went yellow and it showed a message stating it was malfunctioning and the vehicle may roll. this car has an electrically actuated parking brake. since the car moved fine without any noise and it gave no indication otherwise it seemed safe to continue driving. some time later it starter making a s…”
2018-07-25 · Engine · 45,000 mi“running on the highway received high engine temp warning orange. it quickly went to red and read on dash to pull over. the vehicle lost much power and stepping on accelerator would not let it go faster. i had to move to the right on the highway while some vehicle sped through to the right of me while trying to pull over. 45,000 miles and water pum…”
2017-09-19 · Air Bags“takata recall - takata recall continues to go unresolved. vehicle in question in primary means of transportation for my spouse and nine-year old son. bmw shared this week only due to my contact them that the airbag for this vehicle would be available in one month. i have no faith and am seeking injunction by nhtsa to resolve this delinquent reso…”
2017-08-21 · Air Bags“takata air bag recall, feb 05,2016 manufacturer recall numberna nhtsa recall number16v071 recall statusrecall incomplete summary driver's front air bag: during air bag deployment in an accident, the driver's front air bag module may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the inflator to rupture. …”
2017-08-06 · Service Brakes · 36,600 mi“the parking break switch leaver broke. the design and construction of the plastic switch leaver is very thin (flimsy), therefore, it is impossible for it not to break under repeated normal use. this results in the parking brake becoming inoperative. please see upload photo.…”
2017-03-22 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x5 sav. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure. parts distribution disconnect. …”
2016-10-18 · Air Bags“my car has had an open recall since february 5th, 2016 and i have yet to hear from bmw regarding when the recall will be repaired. several emails to service adviser result in a generic response that parts are not available.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.