2013 BMW X3 Reliability
The 2013 BMW X3 has 226 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby X3 model years (2011–2015), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the X3's typical year, while the 2012 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
226
NHTSA owner complaints
7
Recall campaigns
4
Complaints citing a crash
10
Complaints citing a fire
2013 BMW X3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 147 | 65% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 60 | 27% |
| Electrical system | 29 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 19 | 8% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 16 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 14 | 6% |
| Engine & cooling | 13 | 6% |
| Speed control / throttle | 12 | 5% |
2013 BMW X3 recalls
7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13V454000 | Sep 26, 2013 | Service brakes — power assist / vacuum | 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… |
| 13V570000 | Nov 15, 2013 | Air bags | 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. |
| 14V627000 | Oct 7, 2014 | Service brakes — power assist / vacuum / hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 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… |
| 16V333000 | May 23, 2016 | Child seat — latch strap | 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… |
| 17V495000 | Aug 8, 2017 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | 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. |
| 24V527000 | Jul 11, 2024 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | 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… |
| 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 X3 years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year X3 analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 126 | 4 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2012 | 48 | 2 | Air bags | Better year |
| 2013 (this page) | 226 | 7 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2014 | 86 | 6 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2015 | 105 | 7 | Engine | 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 X3
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 7 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 X3 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 X3 reliability FAQ
Is the 2013 BMW X3 reliable?
The 2013 BMW X3 has 226 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby X3 model years (2011–2015), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the X3's typical year, while the 2012 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2013 BMW X3 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 BMW X3 are engine (147), powertrain / transmission (60), electrical system (29), service brakes (19). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2013 BMW X3 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2013 BMW X3, including 13V454000 (service brakes — power assist / vacuum) and 13V570000 (air bags). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2013 BMW X3 compare with the 2012 and 2014 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2012 has 48 complaints and 2 recalls (better year); the 2014 has 86 complaints and 6 recalls (solid). The 2013 has 226 complaints and 7 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2013 BMW X3?
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 X3 research
Other BMW X3 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2013 X3, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.