10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,938 miles

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problem #8

Oct 012023

X3

  • miles
BMW is not addressing this recall in a timely manner. The history makes me think they're intentionally stalling the process and allowing customer engines to fail, reducing repair loads on their service centers. This VANOS bolt issue has been well-known and wide-spread for over a decade (see [XXX] for example), and BMW has been selectively recalling very narrow ranges of engines over this period. Now, they are claiming that parts are unavailable for this recall issued in Oct 2023 - 6 months ago. When I called their corporate office, they claimed parts should be available "any day now. 7-10 at the most, " with no further explanation. My engine could blow up on the road at any moment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #7

May 242022

X3 6-cyl

  • 102,500 miles
The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal growling sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the abnormal sounds intensified while depressing the accelerator pedal and would stop when the vehicle was idling. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there were bolts missing from the camshaft and in the engine compartment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would not cover the repair of the vehicle under an extended warranty as the failure did not occur within 10 years of owning the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 102,500.

- Lake Oswego, OR, USA

problem #6

Mar 102022

X3

  • miles
Since purchasing the vehicle (prior to the March 2022) recall, I have smelled a burning smell coming from the engine. I have spent thousands of dollars attempting to get rid of the smell. Come to find out it is due to the PCV valve. I have contacted BMW who informed me that there is a "RUMOR" that the remedy is in the works. A rumor? A neighbor who also owns/owned a BMW had their vehicle blow up in the driveway. I am VERY concerned for my safety and BMW has offered no help.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #5

Feb 102022

X3

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking an unknown fluid from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Panorama City, CA, USA

problem #4

May 102021

X3

  • miles
No warnings. The car started smoking while driving down the interstate. Lost electrical and brakes at around 30 mph while trying to stop. My daughter had to roll out of the car while moving because my brakes wouldn-??t stop. Finally slammed in park. Car was totaled.

- Greeley, CO, USA

problem #3

Jan 102017

X3

  • miles
The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V605000 (air bags) and 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and unable to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 272014

X3

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3 sav. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning in the middle of three lanes of traffic. The contact exited the vehicle while the passenger remained inside. Another vehicle driving at a high rate of speed crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle, pushed the vehicle to the left, and caused it to crash into a curb. The air bags did not deploy. The driver was not injured. The front passenger sustained major injuries to the back, shoulder, and neck. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the body damage was repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vanos housing bolts were supposedly replaced. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags). The contact received notification of a manufacturer recall for NHTSA campaign number: 14V176000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified, but had not called the contact back. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Baldwin, NY, USA

problem #1

Feb 152012

X3

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled as the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Barrington, RI, USA