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Model Year Problem Record

BMW X5 2013 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2013 BMW X5: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

149Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
16Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine51 complaints

51 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 18V336000.

Air Bags50 complaints

50 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 18V030000, 19V017000, 20V017000.

Power Train36 complaints

36 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 17V138000.

Electrical System21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 12V267000.

Suspension2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

12V267000Reported June 13, 2012 - 2,642 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on June 13, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 2,642 vehicles across all affected models.

17V138000Reported March 2, 2017 - 121,909 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on March 2, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 121,909 vehicles across all affected models.

18V030000Reported January 9, 2018 - 41,808 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 41,808 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
18V336000Reported May 23, 2018 - 33,214 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on May 23, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 33,214 vehicles across all affected models.

19V017000Reported January 14, 2019 - 83,016 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 14, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 83,016 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
20V017000Reported January 15, 2020 - 59,965 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 15, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 59,965 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

RQ18001Opened April 18, 2018 - Closed December 1, 2018

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 18V336000.

RQ18001Opened April 18, 2018 - Closed December 1, 2018

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 18V336000.

RQ18001Opened April 18, 2018 - Closed December 1, 2018

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 18V336000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20121
20131
20145
20153
201616
201740
201813
201917
202011
20219
20228
20238
20247
20256
20264
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.