There are 18 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2013 BMW X5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was sluggish. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for routine maintenance and to address the vehicle driving sluggish. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the valve-tronic camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. There was an existing for similar vehicles; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
While driving locally at a 20-25 mph speed my vehicle shuttered violently and a huge thunk was heard which sounded as if the engine had dropped out. I immediately pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle underneath and under hood but nothing was detected by me. Thankfully I was on a local street with grass side and not highway driving at greater speed and without location to safely park. No warning lights had flashed prior, and no warning lights came on when I restarted vehicle. I limped the vehicle a short distance to a auto repair shop for diagnosis. It was reported to me the front drive shaft had broken out and fallen down into the skid plate. It was given to me and I still have the shaft which is broken at the front fork with one fork missing. I had the 2013 BMW X5 taken to the local BMW dealer and was told this vehicle is not covered by the NHTSA Recall 17V138000 for this model BMW due to my VIN being excluded. The vehicle is 12 years old but has only 114,000 miles. I cannot understand how such a major safety component failure for a maker and model can exclude certain VIN vehicles and that major safety component actuall fail in that excluded vehicle. At this point BMW is denying any responsibility for this issue. I feel as if I could have been killed, and possibly killed others, if this had happened in a higher speed and higher traffic situation.
Driving at approximately 60 mph, suddenly - a lot of vibration and an incredibly loud bang. We were able to continue driving. On investigation, confirmed that there had been a catastrophic failure of the front drive-shaft. On further investigation, this is a known issue with this make & model and there was a recall [XXX]: Replace Front Driveshaft in 2017. This recall literature describes everything in the document as to what actually happened. I called BMW of Westchester where I purchased car on [XXX] and left message, they did not return my call/message. I then proceed to call BMW USA (1-800-831-1117) on [XXX] and as to how come car had not been called and concern with potential gap in their system. They explained that this recall only applied to cars produced on April-22, 2013 and my car had been produced on [XXX]. Apparently, they changed the front driveshaft part. However - as you can see, this seems to be too much of a coincidence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the front drive shaft failed to operate as designed, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The contact stated that during the failure, the driveshaft detached, and caused damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the front drive shaft and hydraulic steering lines were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V138000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was 160,000.
The Drive Shaft was replaced as part of a recall in 2017 and the damage from that drive shaft has caused an issue in the transfer case resulting in humming and other periodic noises and vibrations. The dealer asked for $5300 to replace the Transfer Case and I have stopped driving it as it could lead to an accident. Mechanics have said this is VERY COMMON in those cars with this recall. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCRIT-17V138-1965.pdf I have reached out to BMW USA who said to reach out to you as they will not honor the repair unless a BMW certified mechanic states that it is related OR NHTSA agrees it is a safety issue. The car has 65000 miles on it.
Rod bearings, got rod knock. When is bmw going to fix this? This is my second N55 engine to dies from this problem, first one being my 3 series. They should be held accountable for this problem.
TL* THE CONTACTS WIFE OWNS A 2013 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED OIL WAS EMERGING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS FAILED AND THE OIL TANK WAS PUNCTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,971.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER (UNKNOWN DEALER INFORMATION). IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CURRENTLY IN THE USA. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
WHEN WE ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS/HESITATES TO THE POINT WHERE IT FEELS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN WE TOOK THE X5 TO THE MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS ODD THAT THERE WOULD BE A TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON THE X5, WHICH WAS AT 67000 MILES AT THE TIME. WHEN I RESEARCHED ONLINE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OUR MAKE/MODEL, I LEARNED THAT THERE WERE MANY OTHER OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEM -- MANY, IN FACT, DEMANDED THAT BMW OR THE NHTSA RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM (HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/BMW/X5/TRANSFER-CASE-PROBLEMS.PHP). I, ALONG WITH OTHER OWNERS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL, BELIEVE THAT THIS TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL AS THE VEHICLE FEELS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BLUEGRASS BMW (3235 PARK AVE, PADUCAH, KY 42001, (270) 444-0660) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A HOLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED IN THE ENGINE AND THE DRIVESHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
UNIVERSAL JOINT AND DRIVE SHAFT BROKE. PER TECHNICIAN AT BMW DEALERSHIP EXACTLY THE SAME AS FOLLOWING RECALL ALTHOUGH MY VIN IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL: RECALL NUMBER 17V138000 RECALL DATE 03/02/2017 COMPONENT POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN LOAD BANG, FOLLOWED BY INCREASING LOAD NOISE. PULLED RIGHT OVER. DRIVESHAFT SLAMMED INTO OIL PAN CAUSING LOSS OF ALL OIL AND HYDRAULIC STEERING FLUID
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON COUNTY ROAD WHEN OVERHEAT WARNING CAME ON ADVISING TO SLOW DOWN. WITHIN 10 SECONDS VEHICLE OVERHEATED WARNING CAME ON AND CAR SHUT DOWN FORCING VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. NO APPARENT OTHER WARNING, NO SYMPTONS SUCH AS STEAM FROM BLOWN HOSE OR HOLE IN RADIATOR. VEHICLE 4 YEARS OLD W/69K MILES; WATER PUMP & THERMOSTAT WENT BAD. $1500 REPAIR. APPARENTLY BMW KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURED X5 WITH INFERIOR WATER PUMP W/50K WARRANTY. THIS IS ONLY COMING TO LIGHT TO CUSTOMERS NOW SINCE X5'S ARE OVERHEATING AFTER WARRANTY. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY WITH VEHICLE JUST SHUTTING DOWN ENROUTE IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD. FOR A LUXURY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER THIS IS A MAJOR FAIL AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW OF BIRMINGHAM (1000 TOM WILLIAMS WAY, IRONDALE, AL 35210) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BMW WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE DRIVESHAFT. THE DEALER STATED THAT BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 125,000 MILES. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BMW WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OR THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,500. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF MORRISTOWN (111 RIDGEDALE AVE, MORRISTOWN, NJ) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (KNAUZ BMW, LAKE BLUFF, ILL, 847-604-5000) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V138000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. D PATRICK BMW (200 N GREEN RIVER ROAD, EVANSVILLE, IN) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
I DON'T KNOW WHY BMW WOULD TAKE SO LONG TO FIX A RECALL ON MY CAR. IT'S BEEN 6 MONTHS AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS. IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE, THE DRIVE SHAFT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I TOOK MY CAR TO BMW AND THEY CAN NOT FIX THE RECALL YET BECAUSE I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE FINAL NOTICE.
ACCELERATION ISSUE WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP POSITION. WHETHER PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC OR JUST SIMPLY ACCELERATING, THIS VEHICLE STALLS AND THEN KICKS IN. TERRIBLE HANDLING. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026