CarBrief

NHTSA has 26 owner complaints and 6 recalls on file for the 2013 BMW X6[1][2]. Air bag recalls make up four of the six, so it is worth checking that each recall was completed before you buy[3][4][5][6].

26owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
16–19MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Reported problems

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA[1]. One mentions a fire, and none mention a crash, an injury or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Here is how the complaints split by component group:

Component group Complaints
Air bags[8] 15
Engine[9] 7
Power train[10] 6
Steering[11] 3
Fuel/propulsion system[12] 2
Speed control[13] 1
Electrical system[14] 1
Unknown or other[15] 1

One complaint can name more than one group, so the rows add up to more than 26.

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 10 describe getting a recall notice and then being told by a dealer that the repair part was not available[8]. One owner says they waited more than a year[8]. None of the 12 describe an air bag failure[8].

Power train. In a sample of 6 complaints we read[10], 5 describe the same wait for recall parts, this time for the driveshaft recall. One describes a front driveshaft that needed replacing and a transmission leak[10].

Engine. The engine group has a median mileage at failure of 70,000, and it includes the single fire complaint[9]. In a sample of 7 complaints we read[9], 3 describe the engine cutting out, losing power or not starting[9]. 3 describe smoke, a burning smell or a fire in the engine area, and one of those also describes the engine losing power[9].

Steering. In a sample of 3 complaints we read[11], 1 describes power steering fluid leaking and says the car was not covered by the steering recall. The others describe a vague steering concern and a jerking wheel on uneven roads[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 X6[2]. Newest first[2]:

All six recalls show a free dealer repair in their notices. For any recall, confirm with a BMW dealer that the work was done on the exact car you are looking at. BMW customer service is listed at 1-800-525-7417[3].

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions with premium fuel and all-wheel drive:

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
xDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo[7] 16 23 19 $4,350
xDrive50i, 4.4L 8-cylinder turbo[18] 14 20 16 $5,150

Both are listed as Automatic (S8)[18][7]. The EPA cost estimate uses today's fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Engine and size

EPA test data rates the 3.0L 6-cylinder at 300 hp[19]. The 4.4L 8-cylinder is rated from 400 to 555 hp depending on the version[20].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications, so they can differ slightly from US models. Length, width, height and wheelbase are the same on all three versions listed:

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
xDrive 35i[21] 193 in 78 in 67 in 115 in 4,894 lb
xDrive 50i[22] 193 in 78 in 67 in 115 in 5,269 lb
X6M[23] 193 in 78 in 67 in 115 in 5,324 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

2008: 5 complaints, 9 recalls20082009: 22 complaints, 11 recalls2010: 19 complaints, 10 recalls20102011: 32 complaints, 13 recalls2012: 32 complaints, 10 recalls20122013: 26 complaints, 6 recalls2620132014: 11 complaints, 4 recalls20142015: 9 complaints, 1 recalls2016: 9 complaints, 1 recalls20162017: 3 complaints, 2 recalls2018: 4 complaints, 4 recalls20182019: 5 complaints, 4 recalls2020: 9 complaints, 10 recalls20202021: 7 complaints, 7 recalls2022: 5 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 1 complaints, 1 recalls2024: 9 complaints, 5 recalls20242025: 1 complaints, 4 recalls2026: 3 complaints, 2 recalls20262027: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each X6 model year. The 2013 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200859
20092211
20101910
20113213
20123210
2013266
2014114
201591
201691
201732
201844
201954
2020910
202177
202251
202311
202495
202514
202632
202710

Counts below are for the same model, the BMW X6, so they can be compared across years[2]. They are not adjusted for sales.

The 2013 model year has 26 complaints and 6 recalls[2]. Only 2011 and 2012 have more complaints, at 32 each[2]. The 2009 year has 22 and 2010 has 19[2]. On recalls, 2011 has the most at 13, and 2013 has fewer than 2008 through 2012, 2020 and 2021[2]. It has more than 2014, which has 4[2]. Later years show fewer complaints: 2014 has 11 and 2015 has 9[2].

Should you buy a used 2013 X6?

The complaint record is small, with 26 reports and no crashes, injuries or deaths among them[1]. The bigger issue is recalls, because four involve air bag inflators and the notices warn of serious injury if one fails[3][4][5][6]. The driveshaft recall adds a traction risk if it was never done[16]. Before buying, ask for proof that every recall repair was completed. Fuel cost is also a real factor, with EPA estimating $4,350 a year for the xDrive35i and $5,150 for the xDrive50i[7][18].

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the 2013 BMW X6 have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls: four for air bag inflators, one for the front driveshaft and one for a power steering fluid leak[2][3][4][5][16][6][17].
What are common problems with the 2013 BMW X6?
Of 26 NHTSA complaints, 15 name air bags, 7 the engine and 6 the power train[1][8][9][10]. In the air bag sample we read, owners describe waiting for recall parts[8].
What is the gas mileage of the 2013 BMW X6?
EPA rates the xDrive35i at 19 mpg combined and the xDrive50i at 16 mpg combined[7][18].
How much horsepower does the 2013 BMW X6 have?
The 3.0L 6-cylinder is rated 300 hp, and the 4.4L 8-cylinder is rated 400 to 555 hp depending on version[19][20].
Is the 2013 X6 worse than other years?
Its 26 complaints are behind 2011 and 2012 at 32 each, and ahead of 2014 at 11[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on file for the 2013 BMW X6 (0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every BMW X6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 20V017, filed January 15, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V017, filed January 14, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 18V030, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 16V071, filed February 5, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for X6 xDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 15 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 1 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 1 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 1 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. Recall 17V138, filed March 2, 2017: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 12V267, filed June 13, 2012: Steering. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for X6 xDrive50i, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2013 BMW X6 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2013 BMW X6 with 4.4L 8-cylinder: rated 400 to 555 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X6 xDRIVE 35i 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 78 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,894 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X6 xDRIVE 50i 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 78 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 5,269 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X6M 4DR SUV AWD: length 193 in, width 78 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 5,324 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.