2013 BMW X5 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 BMW X5 holds 0 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most X5 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 6. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Inflator, Engine, and Driveshaft.

2012 BMW X5 — Photo by Alexander Migl, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 X5 has 0 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2014 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2012. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 BMW X5. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (6)

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2020-01-15 · NHTSA campaign 20V017000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2019-01-14 · NHTSA campaign 19V017000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Engine 2018-05-23 · NHTSA campaign 18V336000

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2013 X5 xDrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.

Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator 2018-01-09 · NHTSA campaign 18V030000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Driveshaft 2017-03-02 · NHTSA campaign 17V138000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Steering 2012-06-13 · NHTSA campaign 12V267000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (0 total)

No complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2013 BMW X5 M SUV AWD	4 stars	3 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2013 BMW X5 Xdrive35D SUV AWD	4 stars	3 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2013 BMW X5 Xdrive35I SUV AWD	4 stars	3 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2013 BMW X5 Xdrive50I SUV AWD	4 stars	3 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
X5 M	4.4L, 8-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	12	17	14 MPG	$5700
X5 xDrive35d	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	19	26	22 MPG	$4300
X5 xDrive35i	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	16	23	19 MPG	$4200
X5 xDrive50i	4.4L, 8-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	14	20	16 MPG	$5000

Specs and fitment

E70 generation, 2012–2013

Body styles SUV

Oil 5W-30 full synthetic , 8 qt capacity

Tire size 255/55R18 to 285/35R21 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V017000 covers certain 2007-2013 X5 models (with many other BMW models in the same campaign) for a Takata driver-side frontal air bag inflator that can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin. Dealers replace the driver air bag; on X5 and X6 vehicles the remedy is limited to the driver air bag per NHTSA’s campaign text. Recall 20V016000 separately covers certain 2007-2012 X5 and related models for a passenger frontal inflator with the same explosion risk.

Compare

Previous year 2012 BMW X5 Next year 2014 BMW X5 See every BMW X5 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW X5 reliable?

Is the 2013 BMW X5 more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2013 BMW X5 been recalled?

The 2013 BMW X5 has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 BMW X5?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2013 BMW X5 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 BMW X5 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 BMW X5 is 17.8 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2020 BMW X5?

G05 generation (2019-on).

What oil does a recent BMW X5 take?

G05 US gasoline fills commonly use 0W-20 full synthetic; earlier F15/E70 notes often list 5W-30.

What tire sizes does a BMW X5 use?

Sizes span a wide trim range; G05 examples run about 265/50R19 to 315/35R21.