2013 BMW X1 Reliability
The 2013 BMW X1 has 103 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Compared with nearby X1 model years (2012–2015), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the X1's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
103
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
5
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2013 BMW X1 complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 model year, filed between 2013 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 33 | 32% |
| Electrical system | 28 | 27% |
| Engine | 25 | 24% |
| Engine & cooling | 12 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 10 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 7% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 6 | 6% |
| Speed control / throttle | 3 | 3% |
2013 BMW X1 recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2013 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V017000 | Jan 15, 2020 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | 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… |
| 24V608000 | Aug 14, 2024 | Engine & cooling — cooling system / pump | 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,… |
How the 2013 compares with nearby X1 years
Verdicts compare these X1 model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 0 | 1 | — | Too few reports |
| 2013 (this page) | 103 | 2 | Air bags | Caution |
| 2014 | 114 | 2 | Air bags | Caution |
| 2015 | 94 | 2 | Electrical system | Caution |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2013 BMW X1
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2013 BMW X1 can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2013 BMW X1 reliability FAQ
Is the 2013 BMW X1 reliable?
The 2013 BMW X1 has 103 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Compared with nearby X1 model years (2012–2015), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the X1's typical year.
What are the most common 2013 BMW X1 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 BMW X1 are air bags (33), electrical system (28), engine (25), engine & cooling (12). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2013 BMW X1 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2013 BMW X1, including 20V017000 (air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module) and 24V608000 (engine & cooling — cooling system / pump). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2013 BMW X1 compare with the 2012 and 2014 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2012 has 0 complaints and 1 recall (too few reports); the 2014 has 114 complaints and 2 recalls (caution). The 2013 has 103 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2013 BMW X1?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More BMW X1 research
Other BMW X1 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2013 X1, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.