Total Complaints
80 filings
BMW X1 SAV · model year
80 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2013BMWX1 SAV carries 80 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 X1 SAV is air bags with 31 filings, followed by electrical system (10) and engine (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2013 X1 SAV. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
80 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 31 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 10 |
| ENGINE | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 |
| AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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 X
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,
2 MONTHS AFTER REPORTING A DEAD/DRAINED BATTERY, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE ALARM STARTS WHINING AND THEN THE CAR NEEDS TO BE JUMPED BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS DEAD. CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN OCCURRED, AND IS DRIVEN DAILY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, BUT CAN SIT FOR A FEW DAYS DURING SCHOOL BREAKS.
Mileage: 100,800
STRONG ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL FROM VENTS THE SMELL DOES NOT GO AWAY WHEN RECIRCULATING THE AIR AND I SUSPECT IT IS NOT COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE BAY B. THIS ISSUE IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SYMPTOMS DOCUMENTED IN SAFETY RECALL 17V-676 ' BLOWER MOTOR WIRING ' 2006-2011 BMW 3 SERIES
Mileage: 111,000
BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALER WITH A NEW BATTERY. BATTERY DIED 5 DAYS LATER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NOTHING WORKED ON CAR. HAD TO JUMP IT. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC TO BUY A DIFFERENT BATTERY. THAT NEW BATTERY DIED 6 DAYS LATER. NOTHING WORKED ON CAR. HAD TO JUMP IT. APPARENTLY FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS MODEL HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE AND ALSO WITH PARASITIC COMPONENTS CONSTANTLY DRAINING THE BATTERY. IT SHOULDN'T COST ME $$$ TO HAVE A MECHANIC DIAGNOSE AND RE-PROGRAM CAR COMPUTER, AS WELL AS PURCHASE NEW BATTERIES.
Mileage: 100,000
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF AND SEATBELT LIGHT ALWAYS ON WHILE DRIVING TWO DAYS AFTER RECALL FOR DRIVER AIRBAG WAS DONE THIS ISSUE STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP PERSON TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE LIGHTS ARE STEADY TO FIX THE PROBLEM , SOMETHING ABOUT A SENSOR OR WEIGHT MAT.
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF AND SEATBELT LIGHT ALWAYS ON WHILE DRIVING TWO DAYS AFTER RECALL FOR DRIVER AIRBAG WAS DONE THIS ISSUE STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP PERSON TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE LIGHTS ARE STEADY TO FIX THE PROBLEM , SOMETHING ABOUT A SENSOR OR WEIGHT MAT.
MY GOT HIT ON THE DRIVE SIDE DOOR BREAKING THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR. TOOK THE CAR TO THE BODY SHOP AND I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR, THE CAR DIDN'T START AS IF NO ELECTRICAL POWER, NO POWER AT ALL, THEY JUMP START MY CAR AND I BROUGHT THE CAR HOME, THE NEXT DAY NO ELECTRICAL POWER AGAIN, I CALLED THE SHOP WHERE I GOT MY DENT FIXED AND TOOK THE CAR THEY SAID THEY REPLACE THE BATTERY AND BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO ME THE NEXT THE DIDN'T START AGAIN NO ELECTRICAL POWER THEY TOOK CAR AGAIN TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR, SO THEY TOOK THE BMW DEALER, UNTIL NOW I DON'T HAVE MY CAR. I AM PUZZLED AND WONDERING IF MY CAR WILL EVER FIX.
Mileage: 74,300
THE BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD ON WET STREETS. THEY ALSO WILL NOT HOLD ON SNOW COVERED STREETS. YOU HAVE TO PUMP THEM WHEN YOU TRY TO HOLD THEM DOWN .SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HOLD THEM DOWN THEY LOCK IN PLACE. A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP RESULTS IN THE REDUCED BRAKING POWER THAT COUL INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH CAUSING DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVERS FRONTAL AIR BAG, THE INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE WITH METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE DRIVER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Mileage: 43,000
THE BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD ON WET STREETS. THEY ALSO WILL NOT HOLD ON SNOW COVERED STREETS. YOU HAVE TO PUMP THEM WHEN YOU TRY TO HOLD THEM DOWN .SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HOLD THEM DOWN THEY LOCK IN PLACE. A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP RESULTS IN THE REDUCED BRAKING POWER THAT COUL INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH CAUSING DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVERS FRONTAL AIR BAG, THE INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE WITH METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE DRIVER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Mileage: 43,000
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 65MPH CAR LOSS POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.MOTOR RADDLE,HAD RAPID DECLARATION LOSS ALL POWER ALMOST GOT HIT FROM REAREND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF HIGHWAY I WAS IN SLOW LANE.JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR . .CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAID SAFE TO DRIVE.TOOK BACK TO A CAR DEALER.CAR HAD TURBO MALFUNCTION WASTE GATE ACTUATOR.THIS IS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CHECK
Mileage: 69,900
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 65MPH CAR LOSS POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.MOTOR RADDLE,HAD RAPID DECLARATION LOSS ALL POWER ALMOST GOT HIT FROM REAREND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF HIGHWAY I WAS IN SLOW LANE.JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR . .CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SAID SAFE TO DRIVE.TOOK BACK TO A CAR DEALER.CAR HAD TURBO MALFUNCTION WASTE GATE ACTUATOR.THIS IS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CHECK
Mileage: 69,900
'TRANSMISSION FAILURE' WARNING ERROR OCCURS WHEN AUTO STOP START (ASS) MODE ENABLED CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL ; CAR REQUIRES RESTART WHICH IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. BMW APPEARS UNCERTAIN OF HOW TO RESOLVE ISSUE. 53K MILES WITH ALL REQUIRED SERVICE COMPLETED ON VEHICLE TO-DATE. CAR WILL OPERATE AND TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT NORMALLY AND ERROR WILL CLEAR AFTER RESTARTING, BUT SAME ERROR OCCURS.
Mileage: 53,000
WHILE STARTING THE CAR FROM THE PARKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I CAN'T DRIVE MORE THAN 30 MPH. UPON INSPECTING, FLEX DISC (GUIBO)/READ DRIVESHAFT, REAR BEGINNING TO CRACK. SERVICE CENTER MENTIONED THAT IF THE DRIVESHAFT IS BROKEN WHILE IN MOTION, IT MIGHT CAUSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DRIVESHAFT MIGHT FALL DOWN AND IMPACT THE CAR MOTION.
Mileage: 61,000
WE WERE DRIVING ALONG THE NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY WHEN ALL THE VEHICLES INDICATOR LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING, THE SPEED AND RPM NEEDLE STOPPED WORKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE NAVIGATION EVENTUALLY BLACKED OUT, AND THE CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. AS WE DRIFTED TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR TURNED ON AGAIN BUT ALL LIGHTS IN THE CAR CONTINUED FLASHING UNTIL THE CAR SHUT OFF ONCE AND FOR ALL. THE CARS COMPUTER WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT BROUGHT TO THE SCENE. A BOTTLE OF WATER WAS FOUND OPEN NEAR THE MODULES IN THE TRUNK AND CONFIRMED TO BE THE CAUSE OF ELECTRICAL DAMAGE WHICH DISABLED THE VEHICLE. WATER IN THE TRUNK OF BMW X1 CAUSES VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING. BECAUSE OF THE PLACEMENT OF THE VULNERABLE ELECTRONICS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CARGO AREAS. -INSTRUMENT FAILURES -LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE -VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN ON HIGHWAY -DELICATE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS DAMAGED BY A BOTTLED WATER -CAUSES ELECTRICAL FIRE OR CARE
Mileage: 51,000
WE WERE DRIVING ALONG THE NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY WHEN ALL THE VEHICLES INDICATOR LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING, THE SPEED AND RPM NEEDLE STOPPED WORKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE NAVIGATION EVENTUALLY BLACKED OUT, AND THE CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. AS WE DRIFTED TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR TURNED ON AGAIN BUT ALL LIGHTS IN THE CAR CONTINUED FLASHING UNTIL THE CAR SHUT OFF ONCE AND FOR ALL. THE CARS COMPUTER WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT BROUGHT TO THE SCENE. A BOTTLE OF WATER WAS FOUND OPEN NEAR THE MODULES IN THE TRUNK AND CONFIRMED TO BE THE CAUSE OF ELECTRICAL DAMAGE WHICH DISABLED THE VEHICLE. WATER IN THE TRUNK OF BMW X1 CAUSES VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING. BECAUSE OF THE PLACEMENT OF THE VULNERABLE ELECTRONICS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CARGO AREAS. -INSTRUMENT FAILURES -LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE -VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN ON HIGHWAY -DELICATE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS DAMAGED BY A BOTTLED WATER -CAUSES ELECTRICAL FIRE OR CARE
Mileage: 51,000
WE WERE DRIVING ALONG THE NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY WHEN ALL THE VEHICLES INDICATOR LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING, THE SPEED AND RPM NEEDLE STOPPED WORKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE NAVIGATION EVENTUALLY BLACKED OUT, AND THE CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. AS WE DRIFTED TOWARD THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR TURNED ON AGAIN BUT ALL LIGHTS IN THE CAR CONTINUED FLASHING UNTIL THE CAR SHUT OFF ONCE AND FOR ALL. THE CARS COMPUTER WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT BROUGHT TO THE SCENE. A BOTTLE OF WATER WAS FOUND OPEN NEAR THE MODULES IN THE TRUNK AND CONFIRMED TO BE THE CAUSE OF ELECTRICAL DAMAGE WHICH DISABLED THE VEHICLE. WATER IN THE TRUNK OF BMW X1 CAUSES VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING. BECAUSE OF THE PLACEMENT OF THE VULNERABLE ELECTRONICS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CARGO AREAS. -INSTRUMENT FAILURES -LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE -VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN ON HIGHWAY -DELICATE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS DAMAGED BY A BOTTLED WATER -CAUSES ELECTRICAL FIRE OR CARE
Mileage: 51,000
VEHICLE ENGINE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE DURING DRIVING. DUE TO AMOUNT OF OIL WAS LEAKING SPITING ON WIRES AROUND THE HOT ENGINE. I FOUND AS JUST PARKED ON MY DRIVE WAY SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. WE OPENED THE HOOD HUGE SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE. I CALLED DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO TOW THE VEH. TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID, IT HAPPENED DUE TO THE VACUUM PUMP ISSUE. CHECKED WITH BMW USA SAID NO SUCH RE-CALL.. BUT FOR ME 5-6 YRS OLD VEHICLE SPECIALLY BMW COULD HAVE PUT FAMILY IN DANGER. ENCLOSED PICTURE SHOWING BROKEN /TUBE PIPE. MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT OIL CHANGE AND OTHER JOB WAS PERFORMED JUST COUPLE OF WEEK AGO LEAK WASN'T CAUGHT BY THE SERVICE MAN.
Mileage: 104
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A SIDE STREET, GOING ABOUT 25MPH. REDUCED ENGINE SPEED LIGHT CAME ON AND A FEW SECONDS LATER THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. MANAGED TO CREEP THE CAR TO THE CURB BEFORE SHUT DOWN. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. MECHANIC SAID TIMING GUARD AND CHAIN WENT, ENGINE IS DEAD AT APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES. BMW NORTH AMERICA WAS CONTACTED TWICE. I WAS TOLD BASICALLY THAT I WAS OUT OF LUCK. NEEDS A NEW MOTOR. USED MOTOR TO COST $11K INSTALLED. STILL OWE MONEY ON LOAN.
Mileage: 78,000
DRIVING ON 95 NORTHBOUND IN MIAMI. CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES. I WAS FAR AWAY FROM HER REAR END (2 CAR DISTANCE) TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BRAKE. WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES THE CAR KEPT MOVING. I SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF HER CAR. THE AIRBAGS ALSO DID NOT GO OFF.
Mileage: 35,000
DRIVING ON 95 NORTHBOUND IN MIAMI. CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES. I WAS FAR AWAY FROM HER REAR END (2 CAR DISTANCE) TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BRAKE. WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES THE CAR KEPT MOVING. I SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF HER CAR. THE AIRBAGS ALSO DID NOT GO OFF.
Mileage: 35,000
TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (55 MPH) WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER (YELLOW IMAGE). QUICK SEARCH OF OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED CAR COULD CONTINUE TO BE DRIVEN ' BUT VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A SERVICE CENTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 1 MILE, VEHICLE SUFFERED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD ONTO A SIDE STREET. ENGINE SUFFERED TIMING CHAIN/CHAIN HANGER FAILURE. ENGINE IS SEIZED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ~$9,000. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES. FULL POWER LOSS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATHS. EVIDENTLY, THIS IS NOT AN UNKNOWN ISSUE WITH CERTAIN BMW ENGINES. PLEASE ELEVATE THIS ISSUE WITH BMW TO ISSUE A RECALL - IT'S OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! NEED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!
Mileage: 75,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.