2013 Bmw X1 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
96,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 38 complaints (47.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 47.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Electrical System: 18; Engine: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling: 12; Unknown Or Other: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2020: 5; 2021: 4; 2022: 3; 2023: 4; 2024: 10; 2025: 10; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11322393 · 2020-04-27 (April 27, 2020)
I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT IN OCT (#JJN21-55607) AND IN DEC (#11291377) AND NOW AGAIN! ON MARCH 18, 2020, THE BRAND NEW BMW OEM CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN!!! SPECIFICALLY, THE CAR DOES NOT REMOTE UNLOCK, THE LIGHTS ARE ALL OFF, AND THE CAR DOES NOT TURN-OVER. I CAN JUMP THE CAR AND IT WORKS, BUT TEMPORARILY. PLEASE HELP.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11322393 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11473425 · 2022-07-11 (July 11, 2022)
POWER CABLE FROM BATTERY TO FUSE BOX IS LOOSE ON FUSE BOX, I LOST THE POWER 3 TIMES. THEY RECALL THE VEHICLES E84 BMW BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE BUT THE DIDNT INCLUED X1 2013, IT IS SERIOS PROBLEM, I FIXED THAT PROBLEM AND SPEND OVER 500$ TO FIX, IT HAS TO BE FREE https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCMN-19V472-7907.pdf SAFETY RECALL NOTICE To: All Center Operators, Sales Managers, Service Manager, Parts Manager and Warranty Processor RE: Recall 19V-xxx: Repair Positive Battery Cable (B61 11 19) BMW of North America, LLC is conducting…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11473425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11319912 · 2020-04-01 (April 1, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP FAILED AND BRAKE VACUUM RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 131,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11319912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433897 · 2021-09-21 (September 21, 2021)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11433897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11360852 · 2020-09-24 (September 24, 2020)
LEAKING POWER STEERING LINES. NEED TO BE REPLACED AND BLED OUT$1300.00. OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET LEAKING$513.00 TIMING CHAINS STRETCHED AND ENGINE MAKING TICKING SOUND. GUIDES BROKEN. OIL MOD ALSO RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL ENGINE ISSUES AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY CERTIFIED BMW DEALERSHIP. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS $6200.00 WHITE HORSE AUTOMOTIVE WOULD NOT DO REPAIRS AT A CERTIFIED BMW REPAIR SHOP. THIS CAR WAS NOT JUST TRADED. THE ENGINE WAS LITERALLY SEIZED I HAD NO CHIICE
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11548465 · 2023-10-05 (October 5, 2023)
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 tu…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11548465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11676699 · 2025-07-28 (July 28, 2025)
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 p…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11676699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11542489 · 2023-09-04 (September 4, 2023)
We noticed a gasoline smell when our BMW X1 sDrive28i was parked our the garage. We parked the car outside until the vehicle was taken to be diagnosed and repaired the next day. The diagnosis was that the driver's side fuel sending unit assembly was leaking. The mechanic who replaced the fuel sending unit assembly stated that the leak was bad enough the leaking gasoline could have caught fire.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11542489 at NHTSA ↗