The 2013 BMW X1 Sav has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 925,179 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS16V0710002016-02-05840,000 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i,…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC14V6270002014-10-078,988 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC13V4540002013-09-2676,191 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
31
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
ENGINE
9
POWER TRAIN
5
SERVICE BRAKES
5
1crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
SEAT BELTS
2
STEERING
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
Total complaints80
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“2 months after reporting a dead/drained battery, it has happened again. The alarm starts whining and then the car needs to be jumped because the battery is dead. Car was stationary when occurred, and is driven daily during the school year, but can sit for a few days during school breaks.”
“Strong electrical burning smell from vents the smell does not go away when recirculating the air and I suspect it is not coming from outside of the engine bay b. This issue is very similar to the symptoms documented in safety recall 17v-676 ' blower motor wiring ' 2006-2011 bmw 3 series”
“Bought the car from a dealer with a new battery. Battery died 5 days later for no apparent reason. Nothing worked on car. Had to jump it. Was told by mechanic to buy a different battery. That new battery died 6 days later. Nothing worked on car. Had to jump it. Apparently from my research, this…”
“My got hit on the drive side door breaking the side view mirror. Took the car to the body shop and I went to pick up my car, the car didn't start as if no electrical power, no power at all, they jump start my car and I brought the car home, the next day no electrical power again, I called the shop…”
“Was driving on highway 65mph car loss power check engine light.motor raddle,had rapid declaration loss all power almost got hit from rearend was able to pull off highway I was in slow lane.just purchased this car . .check engine light said safe to drive.took back to a car dealer.car had turbo…”
“Was driving on highway 65mph car loss power check engine light.motor raddle,had rapid declaration loss all power almost got hit from rearend was able to pull off highway I was in slow lane.just purchased this car . .check engine light said safe to drive.took back to a car dealer.car had turbo…”
“'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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
InvestigationPE13030 Opened 2013-09-06 · closed 2013-10-25
Loss of power assist braking
In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2013 BMW X1 Sav as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.