Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2013 BMW X1 SAV Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
8%of 64 total for the year
Median mileage
53,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 BMW X1 SAV, 8% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11180088, filed 2019-02, 61,000 miles

“The auto start stop malfunctioned. When restarting at a stop light, the car shifted into park rather than remaining in drive. This could be dangerous is start-stop traffice conditions when drivers behind the car believe that it will move with the brake is released. Bmw requires that the start-stop function be enabled each time the vehicle is started.”

NHTSA complaint #11056204, filed 2017-12, 32,000 miles

“'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.”

NHTSA complaint #11185537, filed 2019-03, 53,000 miles

“While driving the transmission goes from drive to neutral. Happened three times and was able to put car in park, turned the car off then back on and worked normally. Two days later it happens again approaching a stop sign and 2 minutes before taking the highway and this time the car will not start. The transmission is engaged (rear will will not move) with the engine so before towing the process to allowing towing is implemented. Taken to Bmw and they say its need a new engine. They said there were no error codes. …”

NHTSA complaint #10875803, filed 2016-06, 39,547 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11109637, filed 2018-07, 75,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201525%
201358%

Other parts of the 2013 BMW X1 SAV

Air bags
32 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 BMW X1 SAV

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology