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2013 BMW X6

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 9 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Steering complaints

3 reports
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55,000 miles · Jan 6, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteeringSuspension

ISSUES: BOTH FRONT THRUST ARM BUSHINGS WORN, OIL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE, REPLACEMENT OF MICROFILTER NEEDED, BRAKE FLUID FLUSH SERVICE AND SUNROOF NOT INITIALIZED. COMMENTS: I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED AS I WAS GETTING A DRIVER STABILITY MALFUNCTION ERROR AND WHEN DRIVING OVER POTHOLES OR ANY UNEVEN STREET/HIGHWAY, WHEE…

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ISSUES: BOTH FRONT THRUST ARM BUSHINGS WORN, OIL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE, REPLACEMENT OF MICROFILTER NEEDED, BRAKE FLUID FLUSH SERVICE AND SUNROOF NOT INITIALIZED. COMMENTS: I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED AS I WAS GETTING A DRIVER STABILITY MALFUNCTION ERROR AND WHEN DRIVING OVER POTHOLES OR ANY UNEVEN STREET/HIGHWAY, WHEEL WOULD JERK EXTREMELY HARD CAUSING ME TO ENTER OTHER LANES. VEHICLE WAS PULLING HARD AND I HEARD NOISE EVERY TIME I DROVE OVER UNEVEN ROADS. I WAS ALSO GETTING AN ANTI-TRAP MALFUNCTION FOR SUNROOF ERROR MESSAGE. ISSUES: VEHICLE SPUTTERED, SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START, VEHICLE STILL PULLING AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TWO FRONT TIRES. COMMENTS: DUE TO THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONING, SPUTTERING AND NOT STARTING, I WAS STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT. OTHER MOTORISTS HELPED PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO GET ME OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ISSUES: 2ND OCCURRENCE: FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND EKPS (< ONE MONTH AFTER FIRST REPAIR). VEHICLE NEEDED RIGHT FRONT TIRE REPLACED. COMMENTS: UPON DRIVING MY VEHICLE ONTO THE DEALERSHIP LOT TO HAVE MY TIRE REPLACED, AS SOON AS THE TECHNICIAN GOT IN THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. ISSUE: 2ND OCCURRENCE: LEFT FRONT THRUST ARM BALL JOINT LOOSE CAUSING CLUNK IN FRONT END. ISSUE: 3RD OCCURRENCE: LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM BENT. WHEEL ALIGNMENT NEEDED DUE TO BENT CONTROL ARM. COMMENTS: MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE TIRE AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO JERK. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT FOR THE VEHICLE TO GO STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE ISSUES PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER AND COULD HAVE SEVERELY CAUSED MY FAMILY HARM AND/OR HARM TO OTHER VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11386880

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2017
Steering

DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP, POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING ALL AROUND THE GEAR AND CHECKED MY VIN AND IS NOT ON THE RECALL. IT IS VERY UNLIKELY THAT A 3 TO 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE MAY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS 2013 BMW X6 STEERING NHTSA CAMPAIGN #12V267000 AND NOT BE PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND WOU…

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DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP, POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING ALL AROUND THE GEAR AND CHECKED MY VIN AND IS NOT ON THE RECALL. IT IS VERY UNLIKELY THAT A 3 TO 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE MAY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS 2013 BMW X6 STEERING NHTSA CAMPAIGN #12V267000 AND NOT BE PART OF THIS CAMPAIGN. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND WOULD LIKE FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO BE DONE.

NHTSA ODI #10970485

44,000 miles · Dec 13, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WATER PUMP ISSUES, DEALER SUPPOSENLY FIXED MONTHS AGO. CAR IS LIKE NEW WITH 40K + MILES AND ALREADY WATER PUMP REPLACED. THEN NOTICED SMOKE & BURNING SMELL LIKE POSSIBLE FIRE FROM ENGINE AREA A WEEK AGO WHILE CAR IN IDLE, I THEN TOOK IT TO DEALER NEXT DAY AND SOMETHING WASNT REPLACED BY DEALER DURING WATER PUMP EXCHANGE/REPLAC…

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WATER PUMP ISSUES, DEALER SUPPOSENLY FIXED MONTHS AGO. CAR IS LIKE NEW WITH 40K + MILES AND ALREADY WATER PUMP REPLACED. THEN NOTICED SMOKE & BURNING SMELL LIKE POSSIBLE FIRE FROM ENGINE AREA A WEEK AGO WHILE CAR IN IDLE, I THEN TOOK IT TO DEALER NEXT DAY AND SOMETHING WASNT REPLACED BY DEALER DURING WATER PUMP EXCHANGE/REPLACEMENT. I THINK IS A LIE, I CERTAINLY THINK VEHICHLE HAVE THAT STEERING ISSUE. ALSO PASSENGER DOOR FROM INSIDE DIDNT OPEN ANYMORE WHICH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. BUT CAR LIKE I SAID IS LIKE NEW TO ME FOR IT TO BE 3 YEARS OLD WITH 40K MILES. JUST MAJOR FAULTS FOR SUCH AGE OF CAR. BAD BMW MAKER FOR PRICEY CAR AND SO MANY ENGINE / ELECTRICAL ISSUE ISSUES. I SEE WHY NOT MANY ON US ROADS. 12/2015 SOMETHING IN WATER PUMP AREA REPLACED AGIAN, DRIVER PASSENGER DOOR FROM INSIDE DIDNT OPEN ANYMORE, FRONT CAMERAS DIDNT OPERATE ANYMORE/CORRODED SUPPOSENLY, COOLANT WAS GONE (BUT WATER PUMP REPLACED 2014) SO EITHER LEAK OR DEALER WAS CHEAP PUTTING BACK IN, NOW SINCE ALL THESE REPAIRS CAR DRIVES ROUGH. AND YES ALL WAS DONE ON 1 VISIT AT DEALER. AND I FORGOT TO MENTION TO THEM MY SEATBELT LOCKS ON ME SO I DRIVE WITH IT CLAMP ALREADY AND JUST DUCK UNDERNEATH STRAP WHEN READY TO DRIVE. WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN (STATE POLICE WITNESS TO THAT)

NHTSA ODI #10809865

Official recalls

5

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

19V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 14, 2019

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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

18V030000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2018

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 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xdrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." 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 passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

17V138000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Mar 2, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

12V267000 · Steering

Jun 13, 2012

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID CAN SPRAY ONTO HOT EXHAUST PARTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.