Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 BMW X1 XDRIVE35I problems
Owners filed 102 complaints about the 2013 BMW X1 XDRIVE35I with NHTSA between Jan 2013 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (33).
Complaints
102
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags33
- Electrical system28
- Engine25
- Engine and engine cooling12
- Power train6
- Service brakes6
- Structure3
- Steering3
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Seat belts2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Exterior lighting2
- Visibility2
- Back over prevention1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
6
2
13
21
8
10
5
4
3
4
10
10
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
33 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake sensor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that no issues were found, however, the brake sensor system was reset. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while driving and coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated while driving at 20-25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and went all the way to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the independent mechanic with assistance. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V627000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) as her VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.”
Electrical system
28 reports1 fire
“I'm not sure If I need to report BMW for declining to repair a recall known as 24V-608. I went to my local BMW dealership Valley Auto World BMW In Fayetteville, NC. The first time we went they said they put a cover over the wiring connector for oil or water dripping from the PCV hose. When we went their were no engine codes and a week after they perform the inspection I got engine codes regarding the water pump codes are U0079 - U019F. I got this when It was at night. The following morning I went out and unplugged the connector and corrosion was on the connector. I proceed to clean the connector pins with isopropyl alcohol and a tooth brush. I also added Dielectric grease to the inside of the water pump connector before I found out that there was corrosion on the connector pins. The codes did not go away. The following morning the pump stopped working so I removed It and corrosion was on the pins for the water pump. I took It to the dealership and the said neither corporate or the dealership would not repair the vehicle because they said they got photos before they put the connector protector on and I said I got photos after they put It on. They are trying to…”
Engine
25 reports1 crash
“Approximately 8 months ago, I brought my car to the BMW dealership Keeler's in Latham, NY 12110 for a Recall 24V-608:474, the dealer held my car for a day. Two weeks later after taking my car in for the recall, my check engine light started going off and on, off and on, then it comes on and stayed on. On certain occasions I smelt burning wiring and antifreeze smell, yet I assumed that those particular smells come from outside through the car vents. The weather was in the fall season, so I never turned on the AC to make sure the cold air was working, the heat was working. It wasn't until the weather was getting warm that I try to use the Cold air in my car that I notice that there was nothing but hot air coming out and not the ice-cold air that I was getting before I took it to the BMW dealer in Latham. I connected a code reader to my car and the codes that come back were U019F and U0079 which stated that is was a lost communication with the Engin coolant pump. I call BMW and tell them about my complaints; they told me to bring in my car to get it look at. I brought the car to Keeler. The Service Advisor Daniel Purpura told me that my car has be reset and a…”
Engine and engine cooling
12 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW X1. The contact stated that while shifting into park(P) and turning off the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from under the hood and entering the cabin through the air vents. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence; however, the failure progressed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and remained for additional tests. BMW of Minnetonka (15802 Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata, MN 55391) and Walser Subaru St. Paul (740 Concord St S, South St Paul, MN 55075) were contacted; however, the parts were not available for the repair. The contact believed that the failure was possibly related to NHTSA Campaign: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the contact was not notified of the recall. The contact stated that upon further investigation, Metrowerks BMW (1300 American Blvd W, Bloomington, MN 55420); was contacted for parts availability. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.”
Power train
6 reports
“LEAKING POWER STEERING LINES. NEED TO BE REPLACED AND BLED OUT$1300.00. OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET LEAKING$513.00 TIMING CHAINS STRETCHED AND ENGINE MAKING TICKING SOUND. GUIDES BROKEN. OIL MOD ALSO RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL ENGINE ISSUES AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY CERTIFIED BMW DEALERSHIP. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS $6200.00 WHITE HORSE AUTOMOTIVE WOULD NOT DO REPAIRS AT A CERTIFIED BMW REPAIR SHOP. THIS CAR WAS NOT JUST TRADED. THE ENGINE WAS LITERALLY SEIZED I HAD NO CHIICE”
Service brakes
6 reports1 crash
“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 PUMP FAILED AND BRAKE VACUUM RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.