Summary of complaint: We own a 2007 BMW X3 SUV that we have taken to the BMW Mt. Laurel NJ dealership for service since we bought the car over five years ago. On August 15th 2023, we took the car for a scheduled service and oil change. We paid $3000 + and brought the car back home first week of September when the car was purportedly repaired. My husband noticed that the car was not driving quite well. The steering was tight. When we called BMW they told us it might take a few drives for things to get back to normal. Then our 29 yr old daughter came from NYC where she resides to visit is for the weekend. On Sunday Sept 10th 2023, She went on an errand for us to Moorestown area. At a stop sign when she was not moving the car, the car started a spin in all directions. The oncoming vehicles thankfully avoided hitting her and she was able to come to a stop. Our daughter was terrified. After calming down she called to let us know what happened. She was so shaken up she barely managed to drive back home. We then called BMW right away when they opened on Monday and told them what happened. They came to pick up the car from our house to check it out and see why it spun out of control in circles. Then the service Dept called and said the car spun out of control due to a transfer case issue. I then questioned them why they did not properly diagnose this initially instead of us wasting $3000+ on repairs and still the car was not safe to drive. I then contacted Robert Durante the Asst service manager and he has not been too nice. BMW should do the right thing.I just paid over $3000 for car repairs in September and car did a spin out on Sept 10th less than two weeks after repairs was completed. The car was worse off when repairs was completed than when I brought it in. Way I see it, an inexperienced mechanic or a negligent mechanic worked on our car. I have NEVER had any problems with repairing our car with the dealer service department till this incident.

- Cinnaminson , NJ, USA

White driving on the highway at a speed of 65 mph the engine lost power and stopped. After to the vehicle was stopped and started again the heater was no longer working. Took in for the repair, was told it was a water pump. $1600 repair 6 weeks ago. Last night 1/1/2020 while driving on the same highway all the lights began blinking and the engine ceased again with the indicator lights showing a transmission error.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Problem 1: when in slow and speed turning / turning to stop / stop to turning, a shudder and hesitation occurs. Feels the car is "jumping" more and more obviously. Problem 2: rearview mirrors on both doors had failed to operate. It folded itself automatically when driving on highway. The mirror fell off multiple times. The car was never under impact or in accident.

- Clemmons, NC, USA

The gearbox feels like it's failing to respond to throttle inputs while driving under normal conditions, it fail to engage a lower gear- downshifts very roughly in normal drive mode. This issue has occurred multiple times since I purchased the vehicle less than a year ago and continued to take place from time to time and it feeling like the transmission is going to fail completely.

- Agawam, MA, USA

2007 BMW X3. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle stalling when traveling at low speeds.

- Cary, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power, and the windshield wiper fluid and wheels seized. Various warning indicators were illuminated. Germain BMW of naples (11286 tamiami trail N, naples, fl) diagnosed that the transmission and drivetrain were defective and needed to be replaced. In addition, the windshield wiper pan was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

- Estero, FL, USA

While driving on interstate 72 in Illinois, we noted a low coolant level light. Checked the owner's manual, and it stated that this was not a major issue, but we should check it at the next opportunity. Coincidentally, the other party we were traveling with asked if we wanted to stop for coffee at a location 1.5 miles off the interstate. When we stopped, the low coolant light went off. Before getting back on the road, noticed that coolant was dripping from the front right side of the engine. A repair facility was nearby, and they investigated the leak and determined that it was emanating from a crack in the water pump. Also determined that the cause of the crack was the engine sagging. Further investigation determined that a lower engine mounting bolt was missing entirely. This was replaced along with the water pump, when the engine was jacked back into proper position. At this point it was discovered that the upper mounting bolts had sheared off inside the engine. This is a serious issue. We were one mounting bolt away from the engine sagging excessively, likely causing drive train seizure.

- Manassas, VA, USA

I was driving on an interstate highway going about 65mph when the engine started cutting off and on and the eml warning indicator light came on. My car did completely cut off and fortunately I was able to get over to the right shoulder of the interstate. I waited for a few minutes and the car restarted. I called my husband and he met me at my planned destination an hour later. We took the car to the nearest BMW dealership. On the way it cut off again. We finally made it and had the service department run a diagnostic analysis. It showed a malfunction with the eccentric shaft sensor, which basically deals with throttle control. The total cost for replacement was quoted at $1,707.08. The vehicle (a BMW X3 ) has 92,538 miles on it. This was a very dangerous situation and expensive to repair. I want this on record in case other BMW owners have had a similar problem.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

I was driving on the interstate, exiting an off ramp, decelerating in speed when the engine died, the car stalled and I lost power steering. This very same thing happened 5 weeks prior while I was on the interstate traveling 60 mph.

- Lake Saint Louis, MO, USA

I purchased the vehicle on February 07, 2014 and while driving home from work my vehicle started jerking. It would jerk really hard and when you would try to stop by pressing on the brake the vehicle would jerk harder as if it is about to break down. The second time was in April, I believe the 5th I was having the same problem and then several warning lights came on. I called the dealership and brought the car in. As soon as the service advisor checked on the vehicle she said the car is not drivable and how it is unsafe to drive. There was another problem with the vehicle. I brought the vehicle in may for an oil change but when I was driving the vehicle towards the end of June it said I was really low on oil. I went to turn the vehicle in and it would not start.

- Menifee, CA, USA

Severe acceleration and deceleration issues with transmission on 2007 BMW E83 X3. Once the engine has reached normal operating temperature, transmission issues are more noticeable. My vehicle does not respond immediately to throttle input when starting from a dead stop. Several hesitative jerks are felt and then the vehicle accelerates very slowly. Often times during this sequence, the exhaust emits a huge plume of smoke, blinding drivers behind the vehicle. Upon deceleration, my vehicle may downshift harshly, generating a forward surge of acceleration because the transmission fails to match engine revs with the lower gear; I have only experienced this particular characteristic at low speeds (<20 mph). Also while decelerating, my vehicle may lose power, which results in a loss of power steering, making the vehicle very difficult to turn. I have not been able to determine a deceleration rate that "triggers" this behavior. I am a test engineer and a performance driving instructor with BMW cca. I have regularly driven bmws over the past decade and have never experienced this issue with any other models that I have driven (E46, E39, E63). I also have limited racing experience in E30 bmws. I.e. I know how an engine/transmission is suppose to accelerate and decelerate under a wide variety of conditions. These acceleration/deceleration issues are very concerning to me.

- Mound, MN, USA

The vehicle hesitates when starting from a stop despite pressing the accelerator pedal. The hesitation ranges from 1-3 seconds before the vehicle accelerates. The hesitation is often accompanied by the dynamic traction control activation light illuminating. This is particularly troubling when accelerating through an intersection or making a turn from a stop through an intersection. I do not feel safe letting my family drive the vehicle with this problem.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

The transmission on our 2007 model year is a 6 speed automatic transmission. There has been gradual increase in upshift kick and downshift kick affecting the accelerator foot pedal feeling. At times it feels like the vehicle is ready to move from a dead stop, this is specially concerning on stop and go traffic where the transmission is constantly upshifting and downshifting in low gears. The downshift kick is more prevalent in the lower gears 3rd to 2nd and 2nd to 1st. The upshift kick is more prevalent in 2nd to 3rd. A sense of concern has creeped up on my wife every time she drives the vehicle with no sense of security as she tries to make left turns or in slow stop and go traffic that the transmission will not react and be involved in an accident.

- Miami, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving various speeds and attempting to engage the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would hesitate and then lunge forward abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 64,000.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

There is a delay in throttle response through the 1-2, 2-3 upshift when accelerating from a stop; there is a lack of power or hesitation when reapplying throttle, during either a 4-3 or 3-2 tip-in downshift. This may occur after slowing and coming to a stop on a hill and then continuing into a turn; harsh downshifts when slowing on a roadway with hills; downshifts become violent. BMW dealer has looked at vehicle twice for same concern but seems to be getting worse. This all happens under light acceleration. The vehicle has almost stalled 3 times in the last 2 days, once making a left turn with oncoming traffic at an intersection with no light, and the other two times while entering a roundabout. BMW na says see a dealer and the dealer does nothing.

- Gig Harbor, WA, USA

Transmission continues to hesitate @ low gears, especially at initial accelerations while stopped @ a stop sign or signal light. Automatic transmission hesitates, car jolts trying to find the right gear. The car then jumps into a higher gear and dangerously accelerates rapidly. In addition, when driving on a steep downhill decline, the car adjusts well; however, when transitioning to a level surface street after a steep downhill, the gear will not shift into the appropriate gear (I.e., was stuck in previous gear). On 6/14/2010, took car to dealer. They "performed BMW diagnosis control unit function, there is no fault record in control unit, and at test drive I9 could not duplicate customer complaint at this time." No fix was provided. After years of minor jolts when accelerating (I believe in 1st and 2nd) & then a rapid kick acceleration to 3rd, no major incidents have occurred but safety on road has been compromised. I have learned to ease into accelerations with this car and do not allow anyone to drive this car because of unexpected hesitations/accel. On 1/14/2012, I had a close call entering an intersection after I was stopped at a light. As I proceeded into the intersection to turn left, the car hesitated & stalled in middle of intersection, then jerked forward and yellow transmission light came on. I parked on the side of the road, put it in "P" & turned engine off. Turned it back on and tranny light remained on and car would not accelerate in "D"; however, it would allow me to "reverse." It took three attempts (on/off engine) and the car went into "D" with hesitation. I attempted to drive home and car stalled at the next light. Was stuck in middle of road for 2 minutes trying to get it in gear. "D" finally worked. I parked in a lot, turned engine off for 15 minutes. Car has been working ok rest of day but it is not safe! this is seriously dangerous!!!!!

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

In acceleration the car will hang and hesitate, and lunge. In a slow down situation the car will violent lerch from one gear to the next, and can not things out of the seats.

- Springfield, MO, USA

After multiple attempts to remedy the situation, BMW has been unable to resolve the transmission and the intermittent loss of power and most recently "limp-home" mode occurrence associated with the drivetrain on the 2007 BMW X3. The symptoms 1st presented itself as a loss of power from a start. Upon pressing the accelerator, the vehicle did not respond and then responded with a surge or lurching forward. This makes for unpredictable and dangerously erratic vehicle performance. After multiple visits (+4) and multiple complaints along with the sound of gear or differential noise, the dealership finally did some type of ECU update that appeared to resolve the problem. The noise never subsided and recently the car was inoperable forcing a tow after upon pressing the accelerator the vehicle went into transmission limp-mode. As usual, the symptoms "can't be duplicated" once codes are cleared yet the ECU is throwing multiple codes for transmission limp-mode and code 56be for clutch gears 2 and 6. I believe that this is a very dangerous situation to either press the accelerator and for it to be non-responsive then have a delayed vehicle surge not proportional to the input and timing of the accelerator depression and/or press the accelerator and experience significantly curtailed vehicle power due to the "limp-home" condition. This has been a recurring issue since the purchase of the vehicle on 5/31/2009.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

Transmission shudders in second and third gear around 2000 RPM uphill. The shudder gets worse and worse as miles add up. They have had the car two weeks this time and still not fixed.

- Kona, HI, USA

Over a year ago I began hearing loud noises underneath my 2007 BMW X3. I have had it serviced four times for the following: Loud popping from underneath especially with slow driving (5mph ), problems with jerking with acceleration, & a significant rattling and or shaking from under the car between 35-45 mph. The first two times it was taken to the dealership they claimed to hear nothing. The 3rd time they told me the tires were to blame. Wherein they further told me that if it was transmission issues ( I told them each time it was taken in we thought it was a faulty transmission) then they would not be responsible because the tires were causing an issue with the transfer casing. The fourth time was the same as before with still no resolution.

- Mustang, OK, USA