2013 BMW X5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 14%of 149 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 BMW X5, 14% of the 149 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On thursday, may 2nd, 2019, my wife and 19-month old son were at the park and returned to the vehicle, which was parked in the parking lot. My wife had the key fob in her bag. She placed her bag on the floor of the car, just behind the front passenger's seat. She placed our son in his car seat, strapped him and closed the door. The vehicle then proceeded to lock itself, thus locking my son in and my wife out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11205828, filed 2019-05, 96,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11197031, filed 2019-04, 61,000 miles“My 2013 Bmw X5 35d was in motion on a city street, when it stalled, lost all power and ultimately would not restart. I was able to get it to the side, but not off the road and it was towed to the Bmw dealership where they discovered that there had been a still unidentified sourced, fuel leak into the electrical harness and finally pooling into the dde component, frying the dde component to failure. There was enough fuel in the dde component that it was drained into a drip pan and fuel covered the wiring connection points as well as had discolored the wiring. …”
NHTSA complaint #11194824, filed 2019-04, 78,000 miles“I heard the engine fan going at max speed. About a mile later, warning messages came on to drive the car moderately and then to pull over and turn it off. Said the engine temperature was too high. Electronic water pump failure”
NHTSA complaint #11000483, filed 2017-06, 56,000 miles“Vehicle was parked in a parking lot. Wife unlocked doors using left/rear door handle (vehicle has comfort access locking system) and placed baby and diaper bag with key fob into the back seat. She closed the rear door and the door locks immediately locked with no input from my wife. The car would not unlock. Police were called and broke out the rear window. They were unable to open the door using the interior handle. They had to retrieve the key fob from the bag, bring it outside the vehicle, and after numerous attempts were able to unlock the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11128783, filed 2018-09, 74,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037510Sep 21, 2026While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test, and/or Programmingprocedure- the BMW Footwell Module (FRM) may become unresponsive.
- 11032735May 6, 2026The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the…
- 11015849Mar 13, 2025The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the…
- 11014417Feb 20, 2025The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the…
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The 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…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10225115Sep 1, 2022Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when constant…
- 10224212Aug 1, 2022Driver Assistance reduced checked control message (CCM) appears. All or some of the system functions maybe inoperative. The following fault will be stored: 481CC6.
- 10218384Jun 1, 2022Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 36% |
| 2025 | 8 | 13% |
| 2024 | 25 | 17% |
| 2023 | 8 | 24% |
| 2022 | 16 | 22% |
| 2021 | 38 | 35% |
| 2020 | 39 | 35% |
| 2019 | 72 | 37% |
| 2018 | 15 | 21% |
| 2017 | 17 | 23% |
| 2016 | 23 | 31% |
| 2015 | 13 | 9% |
| 2014 | 15 | 15% |
| 2013 | 21 | 14% |
| 2012 | 29 | 11% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 23 | 19% |
| 2009 | 16 | 12% |
| 2008 | 35 | 16% |
| 2007 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 20 | 12% |
| 2005 | 15 | 18% |
| 2004 | 10 | 16% |
| 2003 | 17 | 17% |
| 2002 | 16 | 16% |
| 2001 | 24 | 15% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2013 BMW X5
47 complaintsEngine
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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