AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2013 BMW X5 Sav
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 BMW X5 Sav, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 2 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 4 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 7 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 8 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 9 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 10 |
| Oct 2018 | 2 | 12 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 13 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags533.3%
- Engine426.7%
- Brakes213.3%
- Powertrain (other)16.7%
- Driver assistance16.7%
- Body & structure16.7%
- Electrical16.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects approximately 33,214 vehicles built from March 12, 2008 through June 27, 2013, corrects the remedy and expands the scope of a prior BMW recall (12V-550) which addressed idle pulley bolt failure in approximately 29,800 MY 2009 through 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles built from September 1, 2008 through November 15, 2012. BMW's analysis indicates that due to a number of contributing factors it is possible that the bolt's pre-stressing force could drop to an extent that it results in the bolt becoming loosened over time. A loosening of the bolt could cause additional bending stress on top of the bolt. As a result, the bolt could break. If this were to happen, then a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur.If there were a loss of power steering assist, manual steering capability would be retained, although the effort required to steer the vehicle would be greater, and therefore may increase the risk of crash.ODI's analysis of the complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and BMW complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for RQ18-001 identified a total of 93 unique VIN reports alleging failure of the idler pulley bolt after recall 12V-550 was completed on the vehicle, including 31 VOQ's and 72 BMW consumer complaints (5 complaints received by NHTSA and BMW, 3 unique VIN's submitted multiple complaints to BMW, and 1 unique VIN submitted multiple complaints to NHTSA).BMW is developing a new idler pulley fastening system as the remedy for 18V-336.The remedy is planned to begin in February 2019.Based on BMW's safety recall, this recall query is closed.The 31 VOQ's referenced in this resume are: 10499780, 10559422, 10579534, 10655424, 10661614, 10702323, 10819617, 10903433, 10948014, 10984353, 11002447, 11010667, 11013643, 11041551, 11054759, 11054909, 11066063, 11083479, 11097562, 11098865, 11113332, 11128649, 11130277, 10552773, 10817406, 10937632, 10956710, 11032006, 11042259, 11063010, 11091513.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
OIL LEAK FROM THE VALVE COVER GASKET GETS INTO THE HOT MANIFOLD CAUSING A BURNING OIL SMELL AND SMOKE GETTING INTO THE CABIN THROUGH THE AC VENTS CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11183676
- Incident
- Jan 6, 2019
- Mileage
- 68,000 mi
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND IN PARK. PASSENGER WAS IN FRONT SEAT. DRIVER LOCKED VEHICLE PREMATURELY WHILE OUTSIDE. PASSENGER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK VEHICLE WITH KEY FOB BUT WOULD NOT RESPOND. PASSENGER PUSHED LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS IN VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE. DRIVER REENTERED VEHICLE TO TRY TO HELP. UNABLE TO HELP AND DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. OPENED WINDOW AND HAD TO USE KEY TO UNLOCK DRIVERS DOOR. ROLLED DOWN WINDOW ON PASSENGER DOOR AND AFTER PULLING UP ON MANUAL LOCK AND PULLING HANDLE MULTIPLE TIMES THE DOOR FINALLY OPENED FREEING PASSENGER. ALL DOORS ON VEHICLE WERE LOCKED AND UNABLE TO OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. ONLY DRIVERS DOOR WAS ABLE TO OPEN WITH KEY. DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY FRONT RIGHT WITH ACTUATOR MOTOR FAILURE CAUSING CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM FUSE TO BLOW. REPAIR INVOICE ATTACHED.
- NHTSA ID
- 11142990
- Incident
- Oct 21, 2018
- Mileage
- 71,000 mi
N63 ENGINE FAILURE AND BATTERY CHARGING PROBLEMS. ENGINE BLOWS MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE FROM REAR TAILPIPES AND BATTERY INDICATOR STATES LOW CHARGE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO BMW AS THOUSANDS HAVE COMPLAINED BUT BMW IS ATTEMPTING TO WEASEL THERE WAY OUT OF THIS BY NOT RELEASING A RECALL.
- NHTSA ID
- 11142958
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2017
- Mileage
- 56,000 mi
WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE THE PARKING BRAKE SYMBOL WENT YELLOW AND IT SHOWED A MESSAGE STATING IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL. THIS CAR HAS AN ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED PARKING BRAKE. SINCE THE CAR MOVED FINE WITHOUT ANY NOISE AND IT GAVE NO INDICATION OTHERWISE IT SEEMED SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. SOME TIME LATER IT STARTER MAKING A SCREECHING NOISE FROM THE REAR RIGHT. AFTER STOPPING AT A TRUCK STOP THE BRAKES WERE FOUND EXCESSIVELY HOT IN ADDITION TO MAKING NOISE. AFTER BEING TOWED TO A SHOP IT WAS REVEALED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD PARTIALLY ACTIVATED, DRAGGED THE SHOES UNTIL THEY WERE WORN DOWN, MADE METAL TO METAL CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR HAT AND CREATED ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT ALL ASSOCIATED HARDWARE ON BOTH SIDES. UNDER SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS NOT UNLIKELY THAT ONE OR BOTH REAR WHEELS COULD HAVE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. THE ERROR MESSAGE ASSOCIATED WITH FAILURE OF THIS MODULE IS HIGHLY MISLEADING, SINCE IT SEEMS WITH THE FAILURE OF THIS MODULE THE VEHICLE HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHETHER THE PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED OR NOT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11122754
- Incident
- Jul 28, 2018
- Mileage
- 88,900 mi
RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY RECEIVED HIGH ENGINE TEMP WARNING ORANGE. IT QUICKLY WENT TO RED AND READ ON DASH TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE LOST MUCH POWER AND STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT LET IT GO FASTER. I HAD TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE SOME VEHICLE SPED THROUGH TO THE RIGHT OF ME WHILE TRYING TO PULL OVER. 45,000 MILES AND WATER PUMP HAD FAILED WHEN I TOOK IT TO A SHOP.
- NHTSA ID
- 11113494
- Incident
- Jun 28, 2018
- Mileage
- 45,000 mi
TAKATA RECALL - TAKATA RECALL CONTINUES TO GO UNRESOLVED. VEHICLE IN QUESTION IN PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MY SPOUSE AND NINE-YEAR OLD SON. BMW SHARED THIS WEEK ONLY DUE TO MY CONTACT THEM THAT THE AIRBAG FOR THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN ONE MONTH. I HAVE NO FAITH AND AM SEEKING INJUNCTION BY NHTSA TO RESOLVE THIS DELINQUENT RESOLUTION IMMEDIATELY.
- NHTSA ID
- 11024216
- Incident
- Jun 2, 2016
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL, FEB 05,2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERNA NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V071 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE SUMMARY DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG: DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE MAY PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE THAT COULD CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO RUPTURE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11016453
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2016
THE PARKING BREAK SWITCH LEAVER BROKE. THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLASTIC SWITCH LEAVER IS VERY THIN (FLIMSY), THEREFORE, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR IT NOT TO BREAK UNDER REPEATED NORMAL USE. THIS RESULTS IN THE PARKING BRAKE BECOMING INOPERATIVE. PLEASE SEE UPLOAD PHOTO.
- NHTSA ID
- 11013091
- Incident
- Jul 27, 2017
- Mileage
- 36,600 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test, and/or Programming procedure- the BMW Footwell Module (FRM) may become unresponsive. As a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: Headlights including the high beams, and/or taillights are not turning on or off Interior lights are not turning on Turn indicators are not working Instrument cluster indicator lights stay on The IHKA climate control system is not working Power windows are not working Folding mirrors are not working, and/or a Functional remote-control key FOB will not unlock and lock the doors
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Only fuel nozzles with the recommended “specified” diameter for diesel engine passenger vehicles can beinserted into the filler neck. Most fuel stations have their diesel fuel pumps fitted with this recommendeddiameter fuel nozzle. However, if the vehicle’s filler-neck misfuelling protection system has been disabled, or the incorrectdiameter fuel nozzle has been installed on the diesel fuel pump, the vehicle’s diesel fuel system can becontaminated by filling the diesel engine vehicle with gasoline. If the diesel fuel system has been contaminated with gasoline, follow the repair guidelines below:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Butt connector for repairing a plug connection. The ?top up coolant? message is displayed in the central display (CC message ID 166). When checking the cooling system there are no leaks found and the expansion tank is filled to the proper level.
EQUIPMENT
Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.