Table 1 shows one common structure related problems of the 2013 BMW X5.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Body problems |
I own a 2013 BMW X5 with the soft-close door feature. On June 2, 2021, I was making a right-hand turn when the driver's door flew all the way open without warning. The door then slammed shut as I finished the turn, injuring my left wrist. It was determined that the soft-close door latch mechanism is failing and needs replaced. The soft-close latch does not consistently secure the driver's door. No warning was given by the vehicle to indicate the door is open or not latched properly. I informed Bmwna of the issue and they declined to offer any assistance with the repair, estimated to cost $900.
The care was off overnight in the garage unlocked. In the am, in the garage, there was a smell of burnt electronics. Noticed something on the behind the driver's door handle and the same thing dripped down the door and some on the floor. Looking closer at it, it appears that something overheated in the door handle and melted a hole in the backside of the handle which caused some melted material, plastic or rubber to spray on the door panel and drip down the door. I checked the fuse that corresponds to the door handle, specifically the comfort access feature and found the fuse to be blown. This all happened overnight with the car not running or otherwise occupied. I am concerned that this could have resulted in a fire and suspect that the fuse doing it's job prevented a fire from occuring.
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.
Vehicle was stopped and in park. Passenger was in front seat. Driver locked vehicle prematurely while outside. Passenger was unable to exit vehicle. Attempted to unlock vehicle with key fob but would not respond. Passenger pushed lock/unlock buttons in vehicle with no response. Driver reentered vehicle to try to help. Unable to help and driver's door would not open. Opened window and had to use key to unlock drivers door. Rolled down window on passenger door and after pulling up on manual lock and pulling handle multiple times the door finally opened freeing passenger. All doors on vehicle were locked and unable to open from inside or outside. Only drivers door was able to open with key. Door latch assembly front right with actuator motor failure causing central locking system fuse to blow. Repair invoice attached.
Plastic fire wall bulkhead between engine compartment and cabin filter housing location, bulkhead is prone to breakage and will snap between the upper sections and the lower letting fumes travel into the passages compartment. Engine compartment chemical fumes will is smelled in the cabin of the car when the car is stopped and the engine is hot. Smell dissipates during driving at high way speeds. BMW part numbers 51717169419,51717169420,5171769421. This is common on all e70 X5 BMW, the plastic bulkhead separates due to the thin amount of plastic between the upper section and the offset lower sections of the bulkhead parts. Pressure from the hood and heat may cause the failure of these parts. A shop repair of this problem could cost up to 500$ and would brake again later on.
On 4/6/2017 I parked my 2013 BMW X5 at 7:30pm, around 3am I heard a popping sound and the alarm going off . I looked out the window and fire was coming from under the hood. On 3/20/2017 I took it in for service because it did something crazy and the engine malfunction light came on, also there was a short in the fog lights. BMW said they they changed the coil in the engine and fixed the lights they also told us we need to upgrade the sos button or take a $300 refund and not fix the sos system . They completed that repair on 3/28/17 . 8 days later my truck caught fire.
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.