Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 BMW X5 XDRIVE50I problems

Owners filed 162 complaints about the 2013 BMW X5 XDRIVE50I with NHTSA between Nov 2012 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (52).

Complaints
162
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags52
  2. Engine49
  3. Power train37
  4. Electrical system22
  5. Fuel/propulsion system9
  6. Service brakes8
  7. Engine and engine cooling6
  8. Structure6
  9. Seat belts5
  10. Seats4
  11. Steering2
  12. Visibility2
  13. Suspension2
  14. Vehicle speed control2

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 Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20121
20131
20146
20153
201619
201744
201817
201918
202011
20219
20228
20238
20247
20256
20264

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

52 reports1 crash1 fire
“During the past raining season, car battery compartment flooded creating a fire/electrical hazard during operation and addition total malfunction of instruments, lighting, warning systems in general, airbags, rendering the vehicle useless. The issue is well documented online by various owners, BMW stop assisting owners of vehicles that have the same issue of flooding. Please assist with any possible help to resolve the problem(s) of the vehicle 2013 BMW X5”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11509851

Engine

49 reports3 fires
“I’m currently experiencing two issues. I’ve done the necessary repairs on one of the issues. The first concern is related to the idle when starting up the vehicle. The combination meter one of them hesitant to continue going up on its own while the accelerator is not being touched. And the driver side actuator is having issues as if it’s stuck..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11765547

Power train

37 reports1 fire
“My vehicle has suffered catastrophic electrical failure due to water intrusion directly into the rear cargo compartment. This water ingress has destroyed vital electronic control modules that were designed and placed in low-lying, unsealed body cavities—an engineering layout heavily documented as a design vulnerability in the E70 chassis. My safety was put at risk as this happened on the highway and threw my SUV into limp mode. I could not drive the speed limit on the highway and had to drive home with my hazard lights on while cars drove around me and almost collided with me on the highway. BMW has previously acknowledged the severe liabilities of placing sensitive electronics near drainage paths, as seen in the Catalano v. BMW of North America litigation. This is not a wear-and-tear issue; it is a design failure that leaves critical safety components swimming in water during normal rain events.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11746759

Electrical system

22 reports1 fire
“The componet that failed is the cars electric system in the rear. Battery gets so hot its melted a 2nd orange box on top of the battery. Burned a hole right through. Attempted to start the vehicle, now it's throwing big sparks in the rear battery compartment. ABS warnings, brake warnings, it leaks. It will not start again! We have no transportation. Noone seems to be very concerned about the matter. Atleast 7 open, very dangerous recalls on this vehicle. How come someone has to die from the companies failure to fix what they know is wrong? This vehicle is paid for, owned by a Middle/lower class hard working single mom. I've seen to many cases of people who aren't financially threatening get delt a ball full of crap. All walks of life pay really good money for bmws cars. How about bmw returns the favor and keeps their word. My car is a death trap according to bmw. What do we do if the company won't cooperate”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11705896

Fuel/propulsion system

9 reports1 fire
“I have been trying to have my car repaired last year. I have expressed to BMW USA that none of their certified dealers want to touch a diesel and/or work on one that another dealership had done poor work on. They have asked me to continue reaching out to this dealership even though I have mentioned I do not feel comfortable about it as I have slipped thru the cracks multiple times with them which they wont admit to. They are understaffed and have employees that are broken from being overworked, are constantly rude, careless, forgetting things and will never admit to error even when you show them mistakes that have even been documented in writing that are a liability. Their mechanics do rushed inspections and the last 2 times I have brought my car in to be scanned they completely disregard all concerns brought up prior. NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ON A CAR WORKED BY CENTURY WEST BMW and/or A DIESEL. BMW USA is aware of this and its in their favor as its allowed this matter to drag on past my warranty period in their favor. BMW USA is aware there are odometer stamps that confirm codes appeared within coverage yet neglect to acknowledge it from me and only will from a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2023Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11530972

Service brakes

8 reports2 crashes1 fire
“My 2013 X5 is not on the recall list, but it is experiencing the same issue described in the recall for the 2013 X5 ( see below). Recently, I began receiving a message on my dashboard indicating the alert related to the parking brake. Two weeks ago, when I started the vehicle, I was unable to shift into any gear, and also the parking brake malfunction appeared on my dashboard. Please refer to the pictures below, which show the active alert related to the brake and gear issue. I kindly request that my vehicle be added to the recall list so that this critical safety issue can be addressed. I can only imagine the potential consequences if this malfunction had occurred while driving. Fortunately, the car was parked at the time, and no one was injured. __________________________________________ A recall affecting the 2013 BMW X5 xDrive50i, including potential brake issues, is related to a faulty "Integrated Brake System" which may not function properly, potentially leading to extended braking distances or loss of vehicle control; check with BMW or your local dealer to see if your specific vehicle is affected by this recall and to schedule a repair. Key points about…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2025Service brakesODI 11634156
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.