Most common 2013 BMW X6 problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW X6 complaints by model year
Best X6 years: 2017, 2018, 2015. Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2009. Compare all years →
2013 BMW X6 recalls (6)
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.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Steering
BMW is recalling certain model year 2012 x5 vehicles equipped with a diesel engine and 2013 x5 and x6 vehicles. Due to a machining error of the steering gear surface, power steering fluid May leak.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the steering gear free of charge. The safety recall began on July 20, 2012.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 BMW X6:
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.
What 2013 BMW X6 owners say
Air bags
" Takata recall " I received a recall notice on my BMW X6, and called BMW of concord, california to make an appointment to have it repaired. This is a very serious concern. We also received a settlement notice
I have two recalls on my BMW X6 (2013). One is for the air bag and the other is for the drive shaft universal joints. I have been waiting over a year to have my airbag replaced (united BMW in roswell ga). I just recently received another recall notice concerning my drive shaft universal joints and these parts are also unavailable. I have a 16 month old son who I drive in this car and this poses a safety issue. I undersatnd recalls, however, I have been waiting over a year to have my air bags replaced and now I receive this notice. I am writing this complaint in hopes that someone will contact me and remedy this problem. This is a major safety issue for my 16 month old son. …
Engine & cooling
While driving on the highway, the warning "engine power reduced" came on and the car just started slowing to a complete stop. Smoke started coming from the engine and the rear, then came to a complete stop and has not started again. Was towed from the highway to a safe location and I was told by mechanic that it was leaking all engine oil and power steering fluid
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 BMW X6. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it spontaneously caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X6. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and ascending an incline, the vehicle started to lose forward momentum and was vibrating. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the front driveshaft needed to be replaced, and that the transmission was leaking and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 17V138000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
I have two recalls on my BMW X6 (2013). One is for the air bag and the other is for the drive shaft universal joints. I have been waiting over a year to have my airbag replaced (united BMW in roswell ga). I just recently received another recall notice concerning my drive shaft universal joints and these parts are also unavailable. I have a 16 month old son who I drive in this car and this poses a safety issue. I undersatnd recalls, however, I have been waiting over a year to have my air bags replaced and now I receive this notice. I am writing this complaint in hopes that someone will contact me and remedy this problem. This is a major safety issue for my 16 month old son. …
2013 BMW X6 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 BMW X6 a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 X6 rates use caution: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the X6 at the same age. It is one of the X6 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW X6?
The air bags — 15 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (7) and transmission & drivetrain (6).
How many recalls does the 2013 BMW X6 have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2013 BMW X6, the most recent from January 15, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW X6?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2018 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2009. See the full BMW X6 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 BMW X6 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 55,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.