The Used Car Index

2013 BMW X3 problems

NHTSA lists 226 complaints for the 2013 BMW X3, 4 of them mention a crash and 10 mention a fire. 4 complaints mention an injury, with 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-10.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW X3.

At a glance

Complaints
226
With crash
4
With fire
10
With injury (complaints)
4
Injuries
5
Deaths
0
Recalls
7
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
720,796
Investigations
2
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
368

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE14765.0%
POWER TRAIN6026.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2912.8%
SERVICE BRAKES177.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM167.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER146.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING135.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL125.3%
AIR BAGS83.5%
STEERING62.7%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
AIR BAGSSENSOR4
STRUCTUREBODY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM1
SEAT BELTSFRONT1
SEATSFRONT ASSEMBLY1
TIRESTEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE1
VISIBILITYWINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure12153.5%0.90
loss of control4921.7%0.79
fire or overheating208.8%0.79
electrical electronic188.0%0.75
restraint or airbag73.1%0.82
unclear41.8%0.83
fluid or fuel leak20.9%0.58
structural or corrosion20.9%0.73
visibility or lighting20.9%0.67
noise or comfort10.4%0.52
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate15669.0%0.81
low5022.1%0.67
high198.4%0.76
critical10.4%1.00

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 226 tagged complaints of 226 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

7 recalls.

24V608000

Date: 2024-08-13. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed t (excerpt)

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

24V527000

Date: 2024-07-11. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of model (excerpt)

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death. (excerpt)

Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V495000

Date: 2017-08-08. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.

Consequence: 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 striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V333000

Date: 2016-05-23. Systems: CHILD SEAT.

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower a (excerpt)

Consequence: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V627000

Date: 2014-10-07. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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, a (excerpt)

Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V570000

Date: 2013-11-15. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 X3 xDrive 28i/35i vehicles manufactured February 11, 2013, through February 27, 2013. Due to a production process error, the tear seam on the instrument panel was not manufactured correctly.

Consequence: 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 to the front passenger. In addition, parts or fragments from the air bag system could strike and injure the front passenger or other vehicle occupants.

Remedy: BMW has notified owners and dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V454000

Date: 2013-09-26. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

2 investigations; 1 open.

EA21002

Opened: 2021-09-17. Closed: Not listed.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE13030

Opened: 2013-09-06. Closed: 2013-10-25.

Loss of power assist braking

In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk w

Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Linked campaign numbers: 13V454000.

Manufacturer communications

368 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM122
EQUIPMENT116
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING47
ENGINE44
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY25
POWER TRAIN23
STRUCTURE23
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE16

11031873

Date: 2026-04-30. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Replace the drivera s air bag module (generation 10, PSDI-X).

11030336

Date: 2026-03-26. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: AIR BAGS.

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Service Action involving certain Model Year 2010 a 2013 vehicles.This Service Action involves the replacement of the drivera s air bag module.

11008105

Date: 2024-09-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

Only fuel nozzles with the recommended a specifieda diameter for diesel engine passenger vehicles can beinserted into the filler neck. Most fuel stations have their diesel fuel pumps fitted with this recommendeddiameter fuel nozzle. However, if the vehiclea s filler-neck misfuelling protection s

10253326

Date: 2024-04-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard.

10249437

Date: 2024-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

10249027

Date: 2024-01-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle A A?A A A A discharged batteryA A?A A A A compl

10247574

Date: 2023-12-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEATS.

A noise can be heard from underneath the seat while the seat is being moved either forwards or backwards. This can occur to the driverA A?A A A A s and/or the passengerA A?A A A A s front seat.

10244239

Date: 2023-10-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY.

This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1. Wind noise 2. Excess water entry

10238090

Date: 2023-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.

10235205

Date: 2023-03-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
X3226

Same model, other years

All model years | All BMW models

Other BMW models, 2013

Sources

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