Every 2013 BMW X3 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 24V527000
Nov 7, 2024Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
- Fix
- The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 24V527000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 24V608000
Aug 13, 2024Engine and Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Pump
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 24V608000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 17V495000
Aug 8, 2017Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 17V495000 →Child Seat · NHTSA 16V333000
May 23, 2016Child Seat:Latch Strap
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
- Risk
- Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 16V333000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 14V627000
Jul 10, 2014Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
- Problem
- BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
- Risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 14V627000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 13V454000
Sep 26, 2013Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
- Problem
- BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
- Risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Full recall details for 13V454000 →
2013 BMW X3 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 226 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW X3, reporting 4 crashes, 10 fires, 5 injuries. BMW has issued at least 368 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine147
- Power Train60
- Electrical System29
- Service Brakes17
- Fuel/Propulsion System16
- Air Bags14
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (122)
- Equipment (116)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (47)
- Engine (44)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (25)
- Power Train (23)
Read BMW X3 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2013 BMW X3
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 2 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW X3. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“The car experienced major issues and nearly stalled while driving. It was pulled off a road into a driveway where it caught fire and burned to the ground. No recall information was ever sent to my house. Very dangerous occurrence. We are lucky that no one was hurt.”
2013 BMW X3Nov 8, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11698316
Injury reportedFire
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, smoke was noticed leaking from under the hood. The contact stated that after she opened the hood, the vehicle caught on fire. No warning lights were illuminated.”
2013 BMW X3Sep 15, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11687293
Crash
“As I was backing up, my car suddenly accelerated. I was shocked and tried to brake as fast as I could. I did slow down, but still hit a car that was parked nearby. This happened at a gas station. I did have the codes read, but nothing showed up. There were no warning indicators.”
2013 BMW X3Nov 10, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11624421
Fire
“The contact owned a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered a fire on the water pump.”
2013 BMW X3Oct 31, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11623004
Fire
“While being parked with the engine off and in a covered condominium garage for 12 days, my 2013 BMW X3 caught fire and burned until the fire fighters extinguished the fire. The engine burnt to the point of virtually disintegrating.”
2013 BMW X3Apr 3, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11515291
Check your X3 by VIN
Not every 2013 BMW X3 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
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