There are 2 owner-reported visibility & wipers complaints for the 2013 BMW X5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
WHILE DRIVING ONE RAINY AFTERNOON ON A CITY ROAD, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE SMOKE TURNED INTO FLAMES. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED 911. AN OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER STOPPED AND HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HE WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT MOST OF THE FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND FINISHED THE JOB. THE FIREMEN THOUGHT THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE WIPER MOTOR. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER THE PREVIOUS WEEK FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL.
EXPLODING SUNROOF. 2013 BMW X5 SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH A SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT WHILE DRIVING ON CLEAR DAY IN LOW 40S (F) DEGREES. NO OBJECTS IMPACTED THE GLASS. TWO GLASS PANELS AFFECTED WITH PANELS ARCHING UPWARD. NO OTHER DAMAGE. MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE. *TR
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