Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 BMW X5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
During the past raining season, car battery compartment flooded creating a fire/electrical hazard during operation and addition total malfunction of instruments, lighting, warning systems in general, airbags, rendering the vehicle useless. The issue is well documented online by various owners, BMW stop assisting owners of vehicles that have the same issue of flooding. Please assist with any possible help to resolve the problem(s) of the vehicle 2013 BMW X5
During frontal impact at 34+MPH, airbag did not deploy; driver hit steering wheel and passed out; brakes did not function properly either (was serviced by BMW dealership less than 2 months ago); vehicle slid straight into car in front of it and brakes did not engage properly with driver pressing brake petal
Hello, my name is [redacted]. I am 77 years old man and more than 50 years driving experience. I bought BMW X5 October 2013 from tenafly BMW dealership. This car was my lifetime dreamed car. Like a BMW sales slogan ?ultimate driving machine? I would like to have an experience BMW car's joy of driving. But after few month later I was disappointed to have BMW X5. When I drive to accelerate push the gas car dose not respond as quickly as pushing gas. So I told the mechanic my problem they did software upgrade. After software upgrade car was good responding drive. But few weeks later back to old condition. These things four more times I did. Could you possibly help me out of these problems and my frustration? Here are my problems: 1. Sluggish and hesitating running when acceleration 2. Between transmission and gasoline sensor problem?!(I think) 3. …
On 4/6/2017 I parked my 2013 BMW X5 at 7:30 pm, around 3 am I heard a popping sound and the alarm going off . I looked out the window and fire was coming from under the hood. On 3/20/2017 I took it in for service because it did something crazy and the engine malfunction light came on, also there was a short in the fog lights. BMW said they they changed the coil in the engine and fixed the lights they also told us we need to upgrade the sos button or take a $300 refund and not fix the sos system . They completed that repair on 3/28/17 . 8 days later my truck caught fire
Takata recall -- I just called BMW for options regarding getting my car repaired and also requested to be let out of my lease. They said they do not yet have parts for repair, my car has been marked 'unsellable' and the only end of lease option they gave was for me to pay it off. I am furious. I refuse to drive an unsafe car for the next three months and I absolutely should not be required to pay off the lease on this car. They need to take it back and let me move on. I have two small children that I drive around in this car every day!!! This is unacceptable.
Occupancy seat sensor is malfunctioning. The part to fix the item is $1,500 including labor. The part is out of stock. So this is happening to many BMW. Approval to replace has been granted on other BMW models. Why isn't mine covered? The sensor is always on even if no one is in the seat.
Takata recall :I was told it could take up to a year to replace the defect in my driver's side air bag. I am not comfortable driving my car knowing there is a risk of serious damage or death if the bag deploys. I take xarelto (blood thinner) and purchased this SUV to feel safer when driving. I am a realtor and use my car everyday and often times with clients of mine in the car. The dealership stated they are not selling anymore of these cars with the defects until they are corrected yet I am driving one which has not been corrected. They stated they will give me a $35 a day allowance to rent but again that will only get me a compact car and nothing close to a comparable. Why am I spending $1009 a month for my X5 to dive a Ford focus. It makes no sense. I would like a remedy to my situation immediately. This issue is/will impact my business if I can not drive my car. …
Warning light on dash that reads "fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag, tensioner or belt-force limiter." BMW dealer (roadshow BMW / memphis) did replace belt tensioner at a cost to me but the error code remains. The passenger seat mat could cause this problem. Has there been a recall on the passenger seat mat? I feel that this is a safety issue dealing with airbags and seatbelts. The BMW dealer in jackson, ms did replace the driver and passenger airbag under a recall but I am still concerned about the safety due to the "system malfunction...fault in passenger-restraint system affecting airbag" warning light on dashboard. This warning message and seatbelt warning light remains when car is in motion. I bought the car on March 17, 2015 (33,000 miles) from my sister who bought the car new from the BMW dealer in nashville, tn. The error message was on the dash at that time. …
Tl* 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, [phone]) 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.
Tl* 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 (chapman BMW chandler, 7455 w orchid ln, chandler, az 85226, [phone]) did not give a specific date for when the part would become available so the contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the contacts vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 BMW X5?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 BMW X5, 32% of the model year's 162 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 BMW X5 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 19V-017 (inflator module, Jan 14, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-030 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 BMW X5 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.