2013 BMW X6: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 26 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving on the highway, the warning "engine power reduced" came on and the car just started slowing to a complete stop. Smoke started coming from the engine and the rear, then came to a complete stop and has not started again. Was towed from the highway to a safe location and I was told by mechanic that it was leaking all engine oil and power steering fluid”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and ascending an incline, the vehicle started to lose forward momentum and was vibrating. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the front driveshaft needed to be replaced, and that the transmission was leaking and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 17V138000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it spontaneously caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2021
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“While driving my vehicle at a speed of approximately 30 mph, I shifted into manual mode, downshifting I order to evade an aggressive driver. I then shifted back to automatic, at approximately 45-50 mph, at which point the engine cut out , the engine light came on and steering was non powered. The car also slipped into neutral. I received an error about stability and was unable to restart the car for several attempts. The car did this 3 times before I reached my destination and was able to allow it to sit. It wasn't until later that evening that it was able to be started and drive successfully home.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (passport bmw, 4730 auth place, camp springs, maryland 20746) where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable since december of 2015. The contact was concerned for their safety. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted on several occasions and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The local dealer advised the contact to call NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
“Due to an issue with the power steering pump, power steering fluid is leaking all around the gear and checked my VIN and is not on the recall. It is very unlikely that a 3 to 4 year old vehicle may have the same issue as 2013 bmw x6 steering NHTSA campaign #12v267000 and not be part of this campaign. I am very concerned and would like for an investigation to be done.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2017
“Takata recall I received a recall notice regarding " air bags " in my bmw x, so I immediately called bmw of concord california to have it repaired. Very serious defect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
“" takata recall " I received a recall notice on my bmw x6, and called bmw of concord, california to make an appointment to have it repaired. This is a very serious concern. We also received a settlement notice”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x6. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). The dealer reported that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
Recalls - 5 campaigns
BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 X5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND 2013 X5 AND X6 VEHICLES. DUE TO A MACHINING ERROR OF THE STEERING GEAR SURFACE, POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xdrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact X6 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 X6 reliable?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 BMW X6. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2013 BMW X6 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:driveline:driveshaft. 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.