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2013 BMW X3

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

BMW X3
Pictured: BMW X3 M (G01) FL IAA 2021 1X7A0001. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
Xdrive28i 4 Dr SUV, Xdrive35i 4 Dr SUV
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Horsepower
215–300 hp
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
24 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
Length
183.1 in
Curb weight
4,112–4,222 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 300 hp, versus about 400 hp for similar 2013 models.
  • Many owner complaints213 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 16 for similar models — most often about the engine.
  • 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 BMW X3 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 183 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,112 lb (Xdrive28i 4 Dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 12% better than the 2013 small SUV average of 21.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 213 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2013

  • Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
  • Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 21 to 24

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 X3 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine241 hp2.0L 6-cyl
Engine300 hp3.0L 6-cyl
Engine215 hp3.3L 6-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

xDrive28ixDrive35iLE

Built in: Greer, South Carolina · Munich, Germany · Princeton, Indiana

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2013 X3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Xdrive28i 4 Dr SUV183.1 in74 in66.1 in110.6 in63.8 / 64.2 in4,112 lb50/50
Xdrive35i 4 Dr SUV183.1 in74 in66.1 in110.6 in63.8 / 64.2 in4,222 lb50/50

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
X3 xDrive28i2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 24+12%$3,400372
X3 xDrive35i3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 21-2%$3,900416
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.4 MPG2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 BMW X3.

Similar 2013 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 BMW X3 (this car)24 MPGNot rated7
2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class13 MPGNot rated0
2013 Porsche Cayenne23 MPGNot rated3
2013 BMW X522 MPGNot rated7
2013 Lexus RX29 MPGNot rated1
2013 Volvo XC9019 MPGNot rated0
2013 Audi Q526 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (7)

Electrical System › Wiring › Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles · Aug 13, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · 720,796 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jul 11, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V527000 · 1,145 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Fix
The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Aug 8, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V495000 · 6,785 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Child Seat › Latch Strap · May 23, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V333000 · 188,668 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
Risk
Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Oct 7, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V627000 · 8,988 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Risk
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Nov 15, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V570000 · 3 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 X3 xDrive 28i/35i vehicles manufactured February 11, 2013, through February 27, 2013. Due to a production process error, the tear seam on the instrument panel was not manufactured correctly.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the air bag could improperly deploy, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the air bag's protection and increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger. In addition, parts or fragments from the air bag system could strike and injure the front passenger or other vehicle occupants.
Fix
BMW has notified owners and dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum · Sep 26, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V454000 · 76,191 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Risk
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 BMW X3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

213Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
10Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
85,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine143
Power Train60
Electrical System24
Fuel/Propulsion System15
Unknown Or Other14
Service Brakes12
Engine And Engine Cooling11
Vehicle Speed Control8
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/12: 123/02: 223/03: 123/04: 323/05: 123/06: 123/12: 124/02: 124/09: 224/10: 324/11: 325/02: 225/03: 225/05: 225/06: 225/07: 125/08: 125/09: 125/10: 125/11: 125/12: 226/01: 126/05: 126/06: 122/1223/0423/1224/1025/0325/0725/1026/01max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 BMW X3 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 143 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Power Train — 60 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Electrical System — 24 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 85,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 BMW X3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other X3 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 X329187.4 inNot rated222
2025 X329187.4 in★★★★★938
2024 X325185.4 in★★★★★342
2023 X325185.4 in★★★★★415
2022 X325185.4 in★★★★★784
2021 X327185.4 in★★★★★10113
2020 X327185.4 in★★★★★16110
2019 X326185.4 in★★★★★10171
2018 X325185.4 inNot rated1176
2017 X324183.1 inNot rated692
2016 X330183.1 inNot rated582
2015 X330183.1 inNot rated7104

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →