What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW X3?

NHTSA lists 226 complaints, and 159 name the engine group. In a sample of complaint texts, owners describe stalling, oil pressure and drivetrain warnings, and overheating. The sample is small, so it does not show how common these are.

Does the 2013 BMW X3 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering the water pump connector, two driver air bag inflator issues, child seat anchors, the brake vacuum pump (two recalls) and the instrument panel.

What gas mileage does the 2013 BMW X3 get?

The 2.0L xDrive28i is rated 21 city, 28 highway and 24 combined MPG. The 3.0L xDrive35i is rated 19 city, 26 highway and 21 combined MPG.

How much horsepower does the 2013 BMW X3 have?

EPA lists 241 hp for the 2.0L 4-cylinder and 300 hp for the 3.0L 6-cylinder.

Is the 2013 X3 a bad year compared with other years?

It has 226 complaints, the second-highest count among X3 model years after 2007 with 258. The neighboring years 2012 and 2014 have 48 and 86.

2013 BMW X3 Problems, Recalls and MPG

Owners filed 226 complaints about the 2013 BMW X3 with NHTSA, and most name the engine^[1]^[2]. The model year also has 7 recalls on file, so it pays to check that every repair was done^[3].

226owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[3]

21–24MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 226 owner complaints on file for the 2013 X3^[1]. Four mention a crash, 10 a fire and 5 an injury^[1]. No deaths are reported^[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

The engine group is named most often, with 159 complaints^[2]. Six of them mention a fire, and the median mileage at failure is 86,000^[2].

Component group	Complaints	Median miles at failure
Engine^[2]	159	86,000
Power train^[5]	60	85,500
Electrical system^[6]	29	86,947
Brakes^[7]	19	45,444
Fuel/propulsion system^[8]	16	80,449
Unknown or other^[9]	14	87,530
Speed control^[10]	12	31,475
Air bags^[11]	8	89,000

We read a small sample of complaint texts for the four biggest groups. The sample is too small to say how common any of this is, but it shows what owners describe.

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 3 describe the car stalling or losing power while driving, 1 describes low oil pressure and drivetrain warnings before the car stalled, and 2 others mention one of those warnings, and 2 describe overheating that led to water pump or thermostat repairs^[2].
Power train. In a sample of 12, 8 mention a low oil pressure or drivetrain malfunction warning, often followed by a loss of power and a tow, often followed by a loss of power and a tow^[5]. 2 mention metal particles found in the oil^[5].
Brakes. In a sample of 12, 5 describe the engine revving or the car creeping forward while the brake pedal is pressed, and 5 describe a weak or unresponsive pedal^[7]. 3 refer to the brake recall, for example parts not being available or a repair that did not seem to fix it^[7]^[12].
Electrical system. In a sample of 12, 6 describe the car shutting down or losing power while driving, with battery or drivetrain warnings^[6]. 2 describe a wiper that would not stop, and 1 of them says it emptied the washer fluid^[6].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2013 X3^[3]. Newest first:

Water pump connector (24V608). An electrical connector on the water pump may not be sealed well. Water can get in and cause a short, which raises the risk of a fire. Dealers inspect and replace the water pump and plug as needed and add a protective shield, free of charge. The recall text lists the X3 sDrive28i and xDrive28i^[13].
Driver air bag inflator (24V527). A manufacturing defect means the driver's air bag inflator may explode when it deploys. Metal fragments could hurt the driver or other occupants. BMW replaces the driver's front air bag, free of charge. The recall covers 2013-2014 X3 among other models^[14].
Driver air bag inflator weld (17V495). The driver's air bag inflator may have been welded badly. In a crash the housing could come apart and throw metal at the occupants. Dealers replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge^[15].
Child seat anchors (16V333). The lower anchor bars for child seats can be damaged when a rigid ISOFIX-type connector is used. That could raise a child's risk of injury in a crash. Dealers weld a reinforcing bracket to the anchor bars and the body, free of charge^[16].
Brake vacuum pump, expansion (14V627). The pump that helps the brakes can fail from too little lubrication. Braking power drops, which raises the risk of a crash. This recall expands 13V454 and names the 2013-2014 X3 xDrive28i^[17]. Dealers install a locking ring in the camshaft, free of charge^[17].
Instrument panel (13V570). A production error left the tear seam on the instrument panel made wrongly. In a crash the passenger air bag could deploy badly. Only 3 vehicles built in February 2013 were covered^[18]. Dealers replace the instrument panel, free of charge^[18].
Brake vacuum pump (13V454). The same lubrication problem with the brake vacuum pump. The recall text lists other BMW models, and the later expansion 14V627 is the one that names the X3^[12]^[17]. Dealers modify the vehicle to prevent the poor lubrication, free of charge^[12].

None of these facts says a remedy is still pending. Ask a BMW dealer which of these recalls apply to a specific car.

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions of the 2013 X3^[4]^[19]. Both use an Automatic (S8), premium fuel and all-wheel drive^[4]^[19].

Version	City / Highway / Combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
X3 xDrive28i, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo^[4]	21 / 28 / 24	$3,400
X3 xDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo^[19]	19 / 26 / 21	$3,900

EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Engine and size

EPA rates the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 241 hp^[20] and the 3.0L 6-cylinder at 300 hp^[21]. These are the ratings listed for EPA test vehicles.

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

	xDrive28i	xDrive35i
Length^[22]^[23]	183 in	183 in
Width^[22]^[23]	74 in	74 in
Height^[22]^[23]	66 in	66 in
Wheelbase^[22]^[23]	111 in	111 in
Curb weight^[22]^[23]	4,112 lb	4,222 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each X3 model year. The 2013 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2004	138	1
2005	103	1
2006	143	2
2007	258	5
2008	122	5
2009	35	5
2010	55	7
2011	126	5
2012	48	2
2013	226	7
2014	86	6
2015	105	7
2016	82	5
2017	92	6
2018	76	11
2019	171	10
2020	110	16
2021	113	10
2022	83	7
2023	15	4
2024	42	3
2025	38	9
2026	21	2

NHTSA's counts for each BMW X3 model year put 2013 near the top for complaints^[3]. It has 226 complaints, second only to 2007 with 258^[3]. The next highest is 2019 with 171^[3].

The neighbors look quieter. 2012 has 48 complaints and 2 recalls, and 2014 has 86 complaints and 6 recalls^[3]. The 2013 recall count of 7 is not the highest^[3]. 2020 has 16, 2018 has 11, and 2019 and 2021 have 10 each^[3].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where reports pile up, not how likely a failure is.

Should you buy a used 2013 X3?

The 2013 X3 draws more complaints than most other X3 model years, and the engine group dominates them^[3]^[2]. The sample of complaint texts we read describes warnings and sudden power loss, which is worth asking about before buying. Ask for service records on water pump work and any engine work^[2]^[13], and check that all 7 recalls were completed, especially the air bag, brake pump and water pump ones^[13]^[14]^[15]^[17]^[12]. The fuel economy is 24 combined MPG for the xDrive28i and 21 for the xDrive35i^[4]^[19]. Our data does not cover crash test ratings, towing or oil capacity, so look those up elsewhere. Treat the complaint numbers as a reason to inspect carefully, not as proof that every car has problems.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW X3?: NHTSA lists 226 complaints, and 159 name the engine group^[1]^[2]. In a sample of complaint texts, owners describe stalling, oil pressure and drivetrain warnings, and overheating. The sample is small, so it does not show how common these are^[2]^[5].
Does the 2013 BMW X3 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering the water pump connector, two driver air bag inflator issues, child seat anchors, the brake vacuum pump (two recalls) and the instrument panel^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]^[18]^[12].
What gas mileage does the 2013 BMW X3 get?: The 2.0L xDrive28i is rated 21 city, 28 highway and 24 combined MPG^[4]. The 3.0L xDrive35i is rated 19 city, 26 highway and 21 combined MPG^[4]^[19].
How much horsepower does the 2013 BMW X3 have?: EPA lists 241 hp for the 2.0L 4-cylinder and 300 hp for the 3.0L 6-cylinder^[20]^[21].
Is the 2013 X3 a bad year compared with other years?: It has 226 complaints, the second-highest count among X3 model years after 2007 with 258^[3]. The neighboring years 2012 and 2014 have 48 and 86^[3].

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 226 owner complaints on file for the 2013 BMW X3 (4 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
159 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 6 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every BMW X3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for X3 xDrive28i, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
60 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,500). NHTSA vehicle records
29 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,947). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,444). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,449). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,530). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,475). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 13V454, filed September 26, 2013: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 24V608, filed August 13, 2024: Electrical System › Wiring › Connectors / Plugs / Receptacles. NHTSA recall database
Recall 24V527, filed July 11, 2024: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V495, filed August 8, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V333, filed May 23, 2016: Child Seat › Latch Strap. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V627, filed October 7, 2014: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V570, filed November 15, 2013: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for X3 xDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 BMW X3 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 241 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2013 BMW X3 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X3 xDRIVE28i 4 DR SUV: length 183 in, width 74 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,112 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X3 xDRIVE35i 4 DR SUV: length 183 in, width 74 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,222 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2013 BMW X3: problems, recalls and fuel economy