10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,489 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #7

Jul 272023

X3

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X3. The contact stated that after his wife parked the vehicle, she shifted the gear into the park (p) position however, after his wife exit the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently rolled and crashed into a post without warning. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The contact notified AAA and upon inspection, the contact was informed that the was shifted to the park (p) position. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Cement City, MI, USA

problem #6

Aug 092019

X3

  • 100,000 miles
The vehicle suddenly loses power and stops.the engine does not stop. This vehicle has had a recall for this problem but my VIN number was not included. The variable camshaft timing adjustment loosen and the bolts may break. The dealer listed 5 things that needed to be repaired at a cost of $4000. None were related to the issue. While driving on a 5 lane road the car just stopped moving. When I shut the engine off and restarted the car, it moved again. Recall number 14V176000. Date 04/10/14. This has happened twice and is very dangerous.this has happened twice.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 012018

X3

  • 45,500 miles
When accelerating from low speeds, the transmission bucks and jerks, searching around for the right gear. After googling this, it is a well-known problem that costs thousands to fix. We've already spent approximately $1,500 on it, and it's still hasn't gone away. Next would be the transfer unit, which is upwards of $5,000. The car only has 46,000 miles on it. The lack of acceleration is a serious safety issue, as it's impossible to get out of danger, merge safely into traffic, etc. This seems to be a design flaw that should be recalled.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #4

Mar 122018

X3

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the bolt housing for the cam shaft detached and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The VIN was not available.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #3

Aug 012014

X3 6-cyl

  • 24,920 miles
In a single sitting vehicle in park, engine revved to 2500 then to 3500 and then to redline (approx 7500rpm). I shut down the engine and waited 5 minutes. Started engine and shifted to reverse. Engine revved to 2500 and I immediately shut down engine. Waited 10 minutes and tried again. After a period of idling proceeded to shift into drive and all was normal.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #2

Sep 242013

X3 6-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
2012 BMW X3. At a stop with foot on brake, car uncontrollably suddenly surges forward at full throttle causing crash. This has happened twice resulting in accidents both times and causing severe damage to front end of car. Fortunately nobody was in front of car or the unthinkable would happen. I have called the dealer and they claim no other incidents like this have happened. The lead technician also said there were no tsb's relating to this issue. I have called BMW North America and they are looking into this issue and will advise within 1-3 days.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 262012

X3

  • 30,000 miles
Our X3 new X3 has surged violently ahead on two occasions now, on one occasion with foot on brake. BMW are denying any other examples of this problem exist, which by viewing this website clearly is not the case. I encourage all that have had this problem to lodge an official complaint to cause a full recall of this dangerous design flaw. Please note that we are in australia, and that BMW in germany are denying any knowledge of this problem.

- Adelaide, AL, USA