4.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,659 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 BMW X5 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 BMW X5:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 BMW X5 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Dec 302022

X5

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the front drive shaft failed to operate as designed, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The contact stated that during the failure, the driveshaft detached, and caused damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the front drive shaft and hydraulic steering lines were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #28

May 302020

X5 6-cyl

  • miles
Car was purchased in July of 2017. Extended warranty was purchased. Dealership says they do not have that in their records. A letter was sent to our address regarding extended coverage, but had another person's name on it. Regardless, the engine developed excessive oil leaks, and led to complete engine failure. Dealer says it would be several thousand dollars to look at it. Research indicates that this model vehicle had excessive oil leaks, but we were not apprised of this, or any of the recalls when purchased. Also, the seals were not holding oil. Dealer sold the car without disclosing of any of these defects. Further, I believe there may have been a recall on the engine, but BMW tells us that this engine is not in the recall. Additional research conforms that this is a standard practice for BMW. I can be reached any time at [XXX], or [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Decatur, AL, USA

problem #27

Feb 112022

X5

  • miles
The Drive Shaft was replaced as part of a recall in 2017 and the damage from that drive shaft has caused an issue in the transfer case resulting in humming and other periodic noises and vibrations. The dealer asked for $5300 to replace the Transfer Case and I have stopped driving it as it could lead to an accident. Mechanics have said this is VERY COMMON in those cars with this recall. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCRIT-17V138-1965.pdf I have reached out to BMW USA who said to reach out to you as they will not honor the repair unless a BMW certified mechanic states that it is related OR NHTSA agrees it is a safety issue. The car has 65000 miles on it.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #26

Jul 152021

X5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rod bearings, got rod knock. When is bmw going to fix this? This is my second N55 engine to dies from this problem, first one being my 3 series. They should be held accountable for this problem.

- Nothanks, CO, USA

problem #25

Feb 162020

X5

  • 68,000 miles
My X-5 started producing smoke from under the hood while driving and while stopped at a traffic light. When I reached home, I didn't see the smoke anymore, but it smelled like something was burning. A few days later, the oil at minimal level warning light came on. I took my truck into the galleria BMW dealership and was told that my valve gasket cover was broken and that oil was leaking out, causingthe burning smell. My last oil change service was less than 6 months prior to having this issue, at the same dealership. The service rep, stated this has been an ongoing issue with other older model bmws and my truck being a 2013 was old and also susceptible to having this same problem. I think this is an extreme safety issue with bmws, and it needs to be addressed asap!

- Biloxi, MS, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #24

Dec 222019

X5

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, the contact heard a loud bang and noticed that the driveshaft detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to merge to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was later towed to a dealer (unknown dealer information). It was unknown if the vehicle was repaired or diagnosed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train). The contact mentioned that the vehicle was not currently in the usa. The manufacturer had been contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Milford, CT, USA

problem #23

Jul 152019

X5

  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When we accelerate, the vehicle shudders/hesitates to the point where it feels incredibly unsafe to drive. When we took the X5 to the mechanic, the mechanic said that it was odd that there would be a transfer case problem at such low mileage on the X5, which was at 67000 miles at the time. When I researched online if this was a common problem for our make/model, I learned that there were many other owners who experienced the same kind of problem -- many, in fact, demanded that BMW or the NHTSA recall the vehicle for this problem (). I, along with other owners for this make/model, believe that this transfer case problem is significant enough to warrant a recall as the vehicle feels very unsafe to drive.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #22

Nov 102018

X5

  • 44,000 miles
Engine overheat due to water pump failure, car automatically slow down on highway. The car only has 44K mile. Also oil filer housing leaking.

- Monroe Township, NJ, USA

problem #21

Jul 172018

X5

  • 62,000 miles
Universal joint and drive shaft broke. Per technician at BMW dealership exactly the same as following recall although my VIN is not covered under the recall: Recall number 17V138000 recall date 03/02/2017 component power train:driveline:driveshaft driving on a city street when load bang, followed by increasing load noise. Pulled right over. Driveshaft slammed into oil pan causing loss of all oil and hydraulic steering fluid

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #20

Jun 012017

X5

  • 56,500 miles
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train). The contact took the vehicle to BMW of birmingham (1000 tom williams way, irondale, al 35210) where the technician informed the contact that BMW would not honor the recall because there was no failure with the driveshaft. The dealer stated that BMW extended the warranty to 125,000 miles. The contact asked the dealer what would happen if a failure occurred with the transmission or engine. The technician informed the contact that BMW would replace the transmission or the engine free of charge. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The failure mileage was 56,500. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Bermingham, AL, USA

problem #19

Apr 032017

X5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. BMW of morristown (111 ridgedale ave, morristown, NJ) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Bernardsville, NJ, USA

problem #18

Oct 222017

X5

  • 69,125 miles
Vehicle was in motion on county road when overheat warning came on advising to slow down. Within 10 seconds vehicle overheated warning came on and car shut down forcing vehicle off the road. No apparent other warning, no symptons such as steam from blown hose or hole in radiator. Vehicle 4 years old w/69K miles; water pump & thermostat went bad. $1500 repair. Apparently BMW knowingly manufactured X5 with inferior water pump w/50K warranty. This is only coming to light to customers now since X5's are overheating after warranty. Very dangerous and scary with vehicle just shutting down enroute in the middle of road. For a luxury vehicle manufacturer this is a major fail and should be corrected.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #17

Mar 022017

X5

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. D patrick BMW (200 N green river road, evansville, in) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not provided.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #16

Mar 022017

X5 6-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted (knauz BMW, lake bluff, ill, 847-604-5000) and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 11/02/17

- Round Lake, IL, USA

problem #15

Aug 092016

X5

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V384000 (air bags) and 17V138000 (power train). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer (bavariaan autohaus-BMW, 5727 york drive, norman, ok, 73069) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #14

Feb 052016

X5

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 and 17V138000 (air bags, power train); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (valley auto world BMW located at 3822 sycamore dairy rd, fayetteville, nc 28303; (910) 864-0000) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not contacted and was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #13

Mar 012017

X5

  • miles
I don't know why BMW would take so long to fix a recall on my car. It's been 6 months and they don't have the parts. It doesn't make any sense, the drive shaft is a safety issue. I took my car to BMW and they can not fix the recall yet because I have to wait for the final notice.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #12

Feb 082016

X5

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (BMW of birmingham, 1000 tom williams way, irondale, al 35210, (855) 850-3425) did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. In addition, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V138000 (power train). The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #11

Feb 052016

X5

  • miles
Takata recall & front driveshaft recall recalls were issued, but repair work never done. It became a pattern that manufacturer just published recalls to meet the government requirement but not really offer actual work to resolve the safety issues.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #10

Feb 012016

X5

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V138000 (power train) and 16V071000 (air bags). The part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair until mid July of 2017 according to penske BMW of san diego and the manufacturer. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired for several month after calling. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Read the next 9 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?