repaired · 2026 Q3
Wiring: connectors/plugs/receptacles
Risk. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
2013 BMW X3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 226 owner complaints about the 2013 BMW X3, most often about the engine. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-608 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 10, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Navigator84, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 BMW X3 has problems
226 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
147Engine6 crash/fire/injury
60Power train2 crash/fire/injury
29Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
17Service brakes
16Fuel/propulsion system
13Engine and engine cooling
12Vehicle speed control
8Air bags
6Steering
1812 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 147 | 6 |
| Power train | 60 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 29 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 17 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 1 |
| Air bags | 8 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 |
| 12 other systems | 18 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2013 BMW X3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q1
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal…
repaired · 2017 Q4
Child seat: latch strap
Risk. Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Show 3 more recalls
repaired · 2016 Q1
Power assist: vacuum
Risk. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q1
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash, the air bag could improperly deploy, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the air bag's protection and increasing the risk of injury…
repaired · 2015 Q2
Power assist: vacuum
Risk. A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
85kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 105 engine complaints. 81% were reported before 100,000 miles.
8under 30k miles85under 100k miles20100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
24 owners mentioned a cost$6,450median
Middle half: $3,545 – $11,372
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other X3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the X3 median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2013 BMW X3, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Loss of power assist brakingLed to recall 13V-454
In owners' words
What X3 owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light and drivetrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the…
BMW knows there is a problem with the 2013 x3 timing chain. I have continuously had my BMW serviced at there shops. Never once when my car was in for service did they mention the issue or proactively check. My vehicle now has the issue per the dealership snd indicated it is approximately a 20k…
While driving my 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i under normal conditions, a “drivetrain malfunction” warning suddenly appeared, immediately followed by a “low oil pressure” warning. Within seconds, the engine lost all power and shut off completely while the vehicle was in motion. I had to coast and steer the…
Own a 2013 X3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.