2013 BMW X1 Sav: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 64 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (48% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2019
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2019
“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 model has an issue with the negative battery terminal cable and also with parasitic components constantly draining the battery. It shouldn't cost me $$$ to have a mechanic diagnose and re-program car computer, as well as purchase new batteries.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 where I got my dent fixed and took the car they said they replace the battery and brought the car back to me the next the didn't start again no electrical power they took car again to see what is wrong they said they couldn't figure out what is wrong with my car, so they took the bmw dealer, until now I don't have my car. I am puzzled and wondering if my car will ever fix.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2019
“Was driving on highway 65mph car loss power check engine light.motor raddle,had rapid declaration loss all power almost got hit from rearend was able to pull off highway I was in slow lane.just purchased this car . .check engine light said safe to drive.took back to a car dealer.car had turbo malfunction waste gate actuator.this is problem that needs to be check”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2019
“'transmission failure' warning error occurs when auto stop start (ass) mode enabled causing transmission to fail ; car requires restart which is extremely hazardous in normal driving conditions. Bmw appears uncertain of how to resolve issue. 53k miles with all required service completed on vehicle to-date. Car will operate and transmission will shift normally and error will clear after restarting, but same error occurs.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2019
“While starting the car from the parking, check engine light flashed and car went into limp mode. I can't drive more than 30 mph. Upon inspecting, flex disc (guibo)/read driveshaft, rear beginning to crack. Service center mentioned that if the driveshaft is broken while in motion, it might cause a serious safety issue as the driveshaft might fall down and impact the car motion.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2019
“Driving on 95 northbound in miami. Car in front of me slammed on brakes. I was far away from her rear end (2 car distance) to have enough time to brake. When I slammed on my brakes the car kept moving. I slammed into the back of her car. The airbags also did not go off.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2018
“Driving home from work on a side street, going about 25mph. Reduced engine speed light came on and a few seconds later the engine shut down completely. Managed to creep the car to the curb before shut down. Had to have it towed. Mechanic said timing guard and chain went, engine is dead at approximately 78,000 miles. Bmw north america was contacted twice. I was told basically that I was out of luck. Needs a new motor. Used motor to cost $11k installed. Still owe money on loan.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2018
“I was driving and the nys thurway and my car shut down because I found that my ground cable to the battery rusted or rotted then broke because there was no cover around the cable protecting it from the weather. It connects from the battery to the bottom of the car where the snow and rain get to it. Every car I have owned had a battery with plastic covering. The car will stall and shutdown. They know of this.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all X1 Sav years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact X1 Sav by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 BMW X1 Sav reliable?
NHTSA has 64 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 BMW X1 Sav. The most complained-about area is air bags (48% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 BMW X1 Sav problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,000 miles or less.
Does the 2013 BMW X1 Sav have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.