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2013 BMW X5 Xdrive35d
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
161 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 28, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Airbags problems dominate (32% of complaints).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#155 of 590Among the 2013 models with a matured record, the 2013 BMW X5 Xdrive35d ranks #155, scoring higher than 72% of them. See the 2013 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2013 BMW X5 Xdrive35D SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 17%
2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2013 BMW X5 Xdrive35d, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Airbags (52) · Electrical system (21) · Fuel system (9) · Brakes (8)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Airbags
32%52 complaints
“PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR FOR AIRBAG HAS FAILED. WAS TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR ANY RECALL, ESTIMATE OF $2,200. WAS TOLD THAT SAFETY SYSTEM IS NOW COMPROMISED FOR …”
Engine
30%48 complaints · typically near 45k mi · 8 in the last 2 years
“The EGR system in my 2013 BMW x5d has failed. There is a recall notice for the EGR system on the 2014 BMW x5d with the same engine and exhaust system related to a fire…”
Transmission & drivetrain
23%37 complaints · typically near 67k mi · 2 in the last 2 years
“After driving for an hour I noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the car, I opened the hood to and noticed the smoke coming from under the plastic cover which c…”
Electrical system
13%21 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“2013 X5 Xdrive35i overheating temperature icon appears drive moderately to red hot temperature icon but doesn’t overflow. Possible water pump and electrical issues. Sm…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 2 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 161 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 12 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this BMW before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- Owners of this model report airbags problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any airbags symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 45k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 BMW X5 XDRIVE35D beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every X5 Xdrive35d model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 BMW X5 Xdrive35d against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.
See a wrong vehicle match or a stale/inaccurate detail on this page? Report a correction →