2013 BMW X1 SAV Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other X1 SAV years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 5 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW X1 SAV. That is the most of any X1 SAV model year in the database (5 years). The most reported problem area is air bags (32 complaints, 50%), typically at around 31,500 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 64owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2013 BMW X1 SAV problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 32 | 50% | 31,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 10 | 16% | 67,500 | — | — |
| Engine | 9 | 14% | 51,600 | — | — |
| Power Train | 5 | 8% | 53,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 8% | 22,682 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 6% | 177 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 3% | 26,100 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 3% | 16,010 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 3% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 3% | 37,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 3% | 54,950 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 3% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 2% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 2% | 10,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2013 BMW X1 SAV recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Loss of power assist braking (PE13030) — opened Sep 6, 2013, closed Oct 25, 2013, led to recall 13V454000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
2 months after reporting a dead/drained battery, it has happened again. The alarm starts whining and then the car needs to be jumped because the battery is dead. Car was stationary when occurred, and is driven daily during the school year, but can sit for a few days during school breaks.
Strong electrical burning smell from vents the smell does not go away when recirculating the air and i suspect it is not coming from outside of the engine bay b. This issue is very similar to the symptoms documented in safety recall 17v-676 ' blower motor wiring ' 2006-2011 bmw 3 series
Bought the car from a dealer with a new battery. Battery died 5 days later for no apparent reason. Nothing worked on car. Had to jump it. Was told by mechanic to buy a different battery. That new battery died 6 days later. Nothing worked on car. Had to jump it. Apparently from my research, this…
Passenger air bag light coming on and off and seatbelt light always on while driving two days after recall for driver airbag was done this issue started. The dealership person told me that i had to wait until the lights are steady to fix the problem , something about a sensor or weight mat.
My got hit on the drive side door breaking the side view mirror. Took the car to the body shop and i went to pick up my car, the car didn't start as if no electrical power, no power at all, they jump start my car and i brought the car home, the next day no electrical power again, i called the shop…
Other BMW X1 SAV years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 X1 SAV | 8 | 2 |
| 2016 X1 SAV | 4 | 1 |
| 2015 X1 SAV | 42 | 2 |
| 2014 X1 SAV | 59 | 4 |
| 2013 | 64 | 3 |
See all BMW X1 SAV problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW X1 SAV?
Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, engine problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 32 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2013 BMW X1 SAV?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2013 BMW X1 SAV a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other X1 SAV model years, the 2013 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.