2013 Bmw X5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Bmw X5 has 211 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall :i was told it could take up to a year to replace the defect in my driver's side air bag. i am not comfortable driving my car knowing there is a risk of serious damage or death if the bag deploys. i take xarelto (blood thinner) and purchased this suv to feel safer when driving. i am. ⚠️ 10 fire reports filed.

10 fire reports 3 crash reports 13 injuries

211

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

50 complaints

24%

• TAKATA RECALL :I WAS TOLD IT COULD TAKE UP TO A YEAR TO REPLACE THE DEFECT IN MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR KNOWING THERE IS A RISK OF SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH IF THE BAG DEPLOYS. I TAKE XARELTO (BLOOD THINNER) AND PURCHASED THIS SUV TO FEEL SAFER WHEN DRIVING. I AM
• TAKATA RECALL -- I JUST CALLED BMW FOR OPTIONS REGARDING GETTING MY CAR REPAIRED AND ALSO REQUESTED TO BE LET OUT OF MY LEASE. THEY SAID THEY DO NOT YET HAVE PARTS FOR REPAIR, MY CAR HAS BEEN MARKED 'UNSELLABLE' AND THE ONLY END OF LEASE OPTION THEY GAVE WAS FOR ME TO PAY IT OFF. I AM FURIOUS. I REF
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MAN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TAKATA RECALL :I WAS TOLD IT COULD TAKE UP TO A YEAR TO REPLACE THE DEFECT IN MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR KNOWING THERE IS A RISK OF SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH IF THE BAG DEPLOYS. I TAKE XARELTO (BLOOD THINNER) AND PURCHASED THIS SUV TO FEEL SAFER WHEN DRIVING. I AM”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

49 complaints

23%

• VEHICLE DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FUEL MILEAGE AFTER THE FIRST 500 MILES. IN TOWN RANGE DROPPED BY 40% TO 7.8 MPG OVER THE SAME ROUTE, INDEPENDENT OF GASOLINE SOURCE OR GRADE. EXHAUST GASES ARE VERY HOT AND EXHIBIT A PRONOUNCED SULFURIC, GUNPOWDER LIKE SMELL. ELECTRICAL FANS CONSTANTLY ON DURI
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER
• THIS PAST WINTER I TOOK MY BMW IN TWICE (MAR 28, 2014 AND APR 22, 2014) BECAUSE A CLICKING NOISE I HEAR WHEN DRIVING AND IT WAS ASSUMED THAT THE NOISE WAS RELATED TO LOW TEMP OUTSIDE. ON MAY 23, 2014 I NOTICE THE CLICKING NOISE AGAIN. I CURRENTLY HAVE 2548 MILES ON MY CAR. THE ANCHORAGE BMW COULD NO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports

“VEHICLE DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FUEL MILEAGE AFTER THE FIRST 500 MILES. IN TOWN RANGE DROPPED BY 40% TO 7.8 MPG OVER THE SAME ROUTE, INDEPENDENT OF GASOLINE SOURCE OR GRADE. EXHAUST GASES ARE VERY HOT AND EXHIBIT A PRONOUNCED SULFURIC, GUNPOWDER LIKE SMELL. ELECTRICAL FANS CONSTANTLY ON DURI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

35 complaints

17%

• VEHICLE DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FUEL MILEAGE AFTER THE FIRST 500 MILES. IN TOWN RANGE DROPPED BY 40% TO 7.8 MPG OVER THE SAME ROUTE, INDEPENDENT OF GASOLINE SOURCE OR GRADE. EXHAUST GASES ARE VERY HOT AND EXHIBIT A PRONOUNCED SULFURIC, GUNPOWDER LIKE SMELL. ELECTRICAL FANS CONSTANTLY ON DURI
• ACCELERATION ISSUE WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP POSITION. WHETHER PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR JUST SIMPLY ACCELERATING, THIS VEHICLE STALLS AND THEN KICKS IN. TERRIBLE HANDLING. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE.
• IT HAS BEEN 1 YEAR SINCE BMW NOTIFIED ME OF TAKATA RECALL ON MY CAR AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNRESOLVED, NO COMMUNICATIONS SINCE, I HAVE CALLED SERVICE DEPT. SEVERAL TIMES AND ALL I GET IS "WE'LL CALL YOU WHEN THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE."

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

19 complaints

• ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE LOCKED THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB INSIDE THE CAR. ON THE 1ST OCCASION , A 2 Y/O CHILD HAD JUST BEEN STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT , A PURSE WITH THE KEY INSIDE THE PURSE , WAS PLACED ON THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT , THE REAR DOOR WAS CLOSED & A
• I HEARD THE ENGINE FAN GOING AT MAX SPEED. ABOUT A MILE LATER, WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON TO DRIVE THE CAR MODERATELY AND THEN TO PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF. SAID THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS TOO HIGH. ELECTRONIC WATER PUMP FAILURE
• FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS CAUSE DOORS TO LOCK BUT NOT UNLOCK WITH BUTTON OR KEY FOB. HAPPENED AFTER DEALER CHARGED TO REPLACE JUNCTION BOX MODULE.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE LOCKED THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB INSIDE THE CAR. ON THE 1ST OCCASION , A 2 Y/O CHILD HAD JUST BEEN STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT , A PURSE WITH THE KEY INSIDE THE PURSE , WAS PLACED ON THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT , THE REAR DOOR WAS CLOSED & A”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

18 complaints

• AFTER A CONCERT, I DROVE MY X5 OUT OFF A PARKING LOT WITH MY WIFE. I COULD FEEL A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOMETHING UNCOMMON ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, BUT DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION BECAUSE THERE IS NO SIGN ON INDICATOR BOARD SHOWING THE DOORS DID NOT CLOSED. AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I TURNED TO RIGHT, AND DIV
• AFTER STARTING THE CAR, PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE, INITIATING A THREE POINT TURN, AFTER THE FIRST PART OF THE TURN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED THE CAR WILL JERK, ACCELERATE, LUNGE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FORWARD MOTION. THE REVS RHYTHMICALLY SURGE
• I HEARD THE ENGINE FAN GOING AT MAX SPEED. ABOUT A MILE LATER, WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON TO DRIVE THE CAR MODERATELY AND THEN TO PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF. SAID THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS TOO HIGH. ELECTRONIC WATER PUMP FAILURE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

“AFTER A CONCERT, I DROVE MY X5 OUT OFF A PARKING LOT WITH MY WIFE. I COULD FEEL A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOMETHING UNCOMMON ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, BUT DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION BECAUSE THERE IS NO SIGN ON INDICATOR BOARD SHOWING THE DOORS DID NOT CLOSED. AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I TURNED TO RIGHT, AND DIV”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 211 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL :I WAS TOLD IT COULD TAKE UP TO A YEAR TO REPLACE THE DEFECT IN MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR KNOWING THERE IS A RISK OF SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH IF THE BAG DEPLOYS. I TAKE XARELTO (BLOOD THINNER) AND PURCHASED THIS SUV TO FEEL SAFER WHEN DRIVING. I AM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: VEHICLE DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FUEL MILEAGE AFTER THE FIRST 500 MILES. IN TOWN RANGE DROPPED BY 40% TO 7.8 MPG OVER THE SAME ROUTE, INDEPENDENT OF GASOLINE SOURCE OR GRADE. EXHAUST GASES ARE VERY HOT AND EXHIBIT A PRONOUNCED SULFURIC, GUNPOWDER LIKE SMELL. ELECTRICAL FANS CONSTANTLY ON DURI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FUEL MILEAGE AFTER THE FIRST 500 MILES. IN TOWN RANGE DROPPED BY 40% TO 7.8 MPG OVER THE SAME ROUTE, INDEPENDENT OF GASOLINE SOURCE OR GRADE. EXHAUST GASES ARE VERY HOT AND EXHIBIT A PRONOUNCED SULFURIC, GUNPOWDER LIKE SMELL. ELECTRICAL FANS CONSTANTLY ON DURI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE LOCKED THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB INSIDE THE CAR. ON THE 1ST OCCASION , A 2 Y/O CHILD HAD JUST BEEN STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT , A PURSE WITH THE KEY INSIDE THE PURSE , WAS PLACED ON THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT , THE REAR DOOR WAS CLOSED & A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)