CSR

BMW · NHTSA safety record

2013 BMW X1

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

38

Complaints

2

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2013 BMW X1 have filed 38 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2020 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 18 of them (47%). The typical failure was reported at 96,000 miles, the median across the 11 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 2 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (2)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

24V608000 · August 13, 2024

The 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 to water and short circuit.
The risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 720,796 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V017000 · January 15, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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 · up to 59,965 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 38.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18 47%
ENGINE 16 42%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12 32%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 16%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 5%
AIR BAGS 1 3%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 3%
POWER TRAIN 1 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 3%
STEERING 1 3%
STRUCTURE 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 10.

2020 2024 2026
2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

The sensor on the electric water pump failed and caused the water pump thermostat and alternator to stop working and the truck to catch on fire. I uploaded proof below that I reported there was a problem since approximately 2021 to a certified bmw dealership and everything else was fixed but that. And I paid for the extra video inspection every time the same year model everything has been recalled and my family was put in danger and nothing done???? I have several other invoices as well BMW told me to contact you all Just seems like no one cares about my family’s lives I have like 10 more invoices and the final repair invoices

NHTSA complaint 11658194. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

crash · towed

While pulling up to a red light and after coming to a complete stop, I sensed the engine was revving. While pressing down on the brake, I checked the RPM gauge to see the engine was revving at around 7k rpm. I tried to immediately put the car in park and turn off the ignition, but in the time it took me to move my hand from the steering wheel to the shifter, the car violently lurched forward and crashed into a pickup truck in front of me. I shut off the car momentarily. Realizing I was blocking traffic on a heavily traveled highway, I risked turning the car back on. I did so and was able to move it to the median to await the arrival of the state police. Later, I had the vehicle towed to an

NHTSA complaint 11548465, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

crash · 96,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X1. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake sensor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that no issues were found, however, the brake sensor system was reset. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while driving and coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated while driving at 20-25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and went all the way to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any

NHTSA complaint 11433897, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 120,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X1. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that there was knocking in the engine and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the temperature gauge was faulty and needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed. The contact stated that after the vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the dealer, the engine seized while driving, causing the vehicle to lose motive power. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and declined the engine replacement.

NHTSA complaint 11496607, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I'm not sure If I need to report BMW for declining to repair a recall known as 24V-608. I went to my local BMW dealership Valley Auto World BMW In Fayetteville, NC. The first time we went they said they put a cover over the wiring connector for oil or water dripping from the PCV hose. When we went their were no engine codes and a week after they perform the inspection I got engine codes regarding the water pump codes are U0079 - U019F. I got this when It was at night. The following morning I went out and unplugged the connector and corrosion was on the connector. I proceed to clean the connector pins with isopropyl alcohol and a tooth brush. I also added Dielectric grease to the inside of

NHTSA complaint 11752791, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Approximately 8 months ago, I brought my car to the BMW dealership Keeler's in Latham, NY 12110 for a Recall 24V-608:474, the dealer held my car for a day. Two weeks later after taking my car in for the recall, my check engine light started going off and on, off and on, then it comes on and stayed on. On certain occasions I smelt burning wiring and antifreeze smell, yet I assumed that those particular smells come from outside through the car vents. The weather was in the fall season, so I never turned on the AC to make sure the cold air was working, the heat was working. It wasn't until the weather was getting warm that I try to use the Cold air in my car that I notice that there was

NHTSA complaint 11740918, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Coolant Pump Electrical Connector Recall #24V-608 Program Control Units (DME) Recall #20E-A01 I am following up because my dealer was unable to complete the DME recall, and the coolant pump recall still shows as incomplete in NHTSA. My vehicle was moved off-site without my consent. I received no updates or documentation, and the dealer was dismissive. My car’s condition has declined due to unresolved recalls. I have already spent over $2,000 replacing the coolant pump and now face a $5,000 repair quote and potential off-site garage fees. Description of the issue: Dealer failed to complete DME recall Coolant pump recall shows as incomplete Vehicle moved off-site without your consent Customer

NHTSA complaint 11689892, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

towed · 82,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X1. The contact stated that while shifting into park(P) and turning off the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from under the hood and entering the cabin through the air vents. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence; however, the failure progressed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and remained for additional tests. BMW of Minnetonka (15802 Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata, MN 55391) and Walser Subaru St. Paul (740 Concord St S, South St Paul, MN 55075) were contacted; however, the parts were not available for the repair. The contact believed that the failure was possibly related to NHTSA Campaign: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine

NHTSA complaint 11676699, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

80,200 miles

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X1. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, upon return to the vehicle, there was an abnormal burning odor outside the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost of the diagnostic test. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately

NHTSA complaint 11665146, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW X1

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 14 3
2024 30 3
2023 70 6
2020 13 1
2019 11 3
2018 59 4
2017 155 2
2016 159 3
2015 52 2
2014 53 2

Other 2013 BMW models

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst