
2013 Bmw X1
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Bmw X1 has 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 78. The most common issue is engine problems (47% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle with 68,000 miles began having whirring noise that progressed to rattling while driving. whirring first heard while engine running idle then disappeared. then no issues with power or noise for several miles, then noise restarted while driving high speeds. safely pulled over then indicator l. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
60
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
28 complaints- • VEHICLE WITH 68,000 MILES BEGAN HAVING WHIRRING NOISE THAT PROGRESSED TO RATTLING WHILE DRIVING. WHIRRING FIRST HEARD WHILE ENGINE RUNNING IDLE THEN DISAPPEARED. THEN NO ISSUES WITH POWER OR NOISE FOR SEVERAL MILES, THEN NOISE RESTARTED WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS. SAFELY PULLED OVER THEN INDICATOR L
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM
- • WHEN STARTING MY CAR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, POWER OUTPUT WAS REDUCED TO THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE TURBO MALFUNCTION WASTE GATE ACTUATOR WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR DURING EACH EPISODE BUT I WAS TOLD WHEN THE PART GOES OUT COMPL
“VEHICLE WITH 68,000 MILES BEGAN HAVING WHIRRING NOISE THAT PROGRESSED TO RATTLING WHILE DRIVING. WHIRRING FIRST HEARD WHILE ENGINE RUNNING IDLE THEN DISAPPEARED. THEN NO ISSUES WITH POWER OR NOISE FOR SEVERAL MILES, THEN NOISE RESTARTED WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS. SAFELY PULLED OVER THEN INDICATOR L”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Bmw X1
Based on 19 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 96K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
ENGINE
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (2)
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.
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Bmw X1
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Bmw X1
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Bmw X1 Service Intervals
Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years
These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2013 X1, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 60 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: VEHICLE WITH 68,000 MILES BEGAN HAVING WHIRRING NOISE THAT PROGRESSED TO RATTLING WHILE DRIVING. WHIRRING FIRST HEARD WHILE ENGINE RUNNING IDLE THEN DISAPPEARED. THEN NO ISSUES WITH POWER OR NOISE FOR SEVERAL MILES, THEN NOISE RESTARTED WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS. SAFELY PULLED OVER THEN INDICATOR L
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT IN OCT (#JJN21-55607) AND IN DEC (#11291377) AND NOW AGAIN! ON MARCH 18, 2020, THE BRAND NEW BMW OEM CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN!!! SPECIFICALLY, THE CAR DOES NOT REMOTE UNLOCK, THE LIGHTS ARE ALL OFF, AND THE CAR DOES NOT TURN-OVER. I CAN JUMP THE CAR AND IT WORKS, BUT TEMPOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: My Moonroof shade gets stuck when I try to open and close it. This has been a huge problem among other BMW X1s and it is over $2,000 to fix! This has caused a lot of issues in my car. Thousands of other drivers have also reported this issue. It is not safe having my shade stuck since people can see
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Bmw X1 — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 60
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 4
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 78
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Bmw X1