10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 65,325 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Sunday, 9/10/17 @ 11:30am I was driving South on 294 in Chicago and the oil pressure message came on, shortly followed by engine train message suggesting I pull over and turn off the engine!! thankfully I was able to get to an exit at lake cook road just as the car stopped running. It would not start and was towed to a repair shop whereby they said it was the timing chain and the engine is probably shot. This car has 71K miles and has been serviced religiously yet warranty expired. New to BMW I never expected something like this!
- La Grange Park, IL, USA
Engine coolant pump and thermostat failed at 52000 miles. It's 2000 miles after the warranty expired. It was failed way too early by any measure for any on road vehicle. I had engine overheat warning, possibly due to coolant pump failure. However, the oil temperature gauge on the dash showed normal temperature. After vehicle stopped, tried to inspect the vehicle with hood opened. With oil temperature gauge saying normal temperature, coolant was over heating, which could cause the injury from confusion. One temperature gauge saying normal while the coolant was over heating. BMW should address this issue on their own. They ignore this problem and passes to customers. This should be seriously considered for recall.
- Glenview, IL, USA
Driving (2013 X3 28I) vehicle without concerns, incidents or warnings until the oil pressure warning" light came on. Slowing down to try and make it the mile left to make it home. After the "oil pressure warning" came one, less than a minute later there was a "drive-train malfunction" warning. Now looking for a place to pull over, it was less than another minute when car locked up and stopped in the middle of the road. Living on a curvy road, I was in a very bad situation, due to being between two curves, just after dark. Car would not start or go into neutral. It has been 10 weeks and car diagnosis has not been determined. Without warnings and total engine failure. I was not hurt in any way, and thankfully someone stopped to block the curve so people would slow down. I was stuck waiting for help for an hour. Tow-truck driver couldn't get into neutral to load on his truck. I did buy this as a 1 owner, lease return, and put the top asc warranty on it. The owner of a quality import repair shop says he has no idea and has never come across anything like this before. Short of pulling everything apart to try and figure out a specific problem, he does not want to try and repair it. Going to have to tow it to the dealer and hope they will give some answers. 10 weeks and no closer to an answer than on day one.
- Troutville, VA, USA
When my husband was driving on the highway at 10:30 a.M. on the 8/8/2017 the car lost power as if it ran out of gasoline. Thank god he was able to pull over to the service lane without getting into a major accident (he is always cool under pressure as he retired as a captain in the army). He shut off the engine, and restarted a few minutes later when "drive train malfunction" message came on. He called the dealership service and was told to bring the car in on 8/10/2017 in the morning. He told them what happened and was told he will receive a call back that evening. He was never contacted, and 3 days later went to check what happened. He was told that the timing chain has to be replaced and it will cost at least $2,700 plus... almost a year ago I went to them because I had white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. So they were aware there was a problem already and they should have changed the timing belt at that time (while the car was still under warranty.) instead they totally disregard people's safety and security and create unnecessary hazardous conditions. I spent more than $50,00 0 on the brand new vehicle and it almost killed my husband, reading through your website I saw many others had the same problems something must be done before someone gets killed.
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. While driving approximately 35 mph, the low oil pressure and drive train malfunction warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle lost power and then stalled. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and had it towed to the bill jacobs BMW dealer (located at 2495 Aurora ave, naperville, il 60540). The dealer diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the oil, causing it not to have compression. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that they would pay half of the repair fees. The contact would be responsible for the other half. The approximate failure mileage was 30,300.
- St Charles, IL, USA
Earlier this year while driving my 2013 BMW X3 on the highway it broke down with little warning. Fortunately I was able to get to an exit ramp before my car completely failed. After having it flat bedded to a mechanic who had to push the vehicle into the shop they verified that the vehicle would crank over and not start. It was relatively clear from the sound the engine was making during the starter engagement that the camshaft timing was off. The valve cover was removed and the mechanic verified that the timing was indeed off. The timing chain had jumped time on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. The timing was off due to excessive slack in the timing chain due to a failed chain tensioner. This should not happen on a 2013 BMW with mainly highway miles. I was told I need a new engine that will cost upwards of $15,000 or buy a slightly used one for approximately $9,000. I've reached out tot he dealer and BMW na with no relief. Similar issues have been identified in the X5 and other BMW cars which were recalled but for some reason no recall was sent out on the N20 engine for the X3. From a quick internet search there are many X3 owners that have the same or similar problems. Something needs to be done to get relief for these owners. Unfortunately this once proud vehicle maker that no longer backs the longevity of the luxury car they build.
- Melville, NY, USA
I have a 2013 X3 28I that was purchased fairly new with 15K miles on it and has had all BMW recommended maintenance at a BMW dealer. I have exactly 50K miles on the car. A couple of days ago, with no warning the timing chain broke and blew the engine. I had just taken it to the dealership a couple of weeks prior for maintenance and they said everything looked great. The dealer first told me it was going to cost over 20K to replace the engine. BMW got involved and now I'm told it will cost just over 15K plus taxes. I started checking online and noticed that BMW has had a lot of problems with the timing chain, however they don't list the X3 as one of the cars with the problem. At 4 years old and 50K miles, I would think the timing chain shouldn't break, and definitely shouldn't cost 1/3 of a new car to repair.
- Overland Park, KS, USA
Shifting is erratic, especially accelerating from a stop. Both wife and myself noticed this on separate occasions driving by ourselves. Dealer says there are no codes and it drives like all other X3's. it does not drive like other X3's as we were given a new X3 as a loaner.
- New Ulm, MN, USA
I have 3 parts in my vehicle that are now identified as needing replacement by my mechanic. I went to the mechanic after my vehicle went into "limp" mode while driving at 45mph in normal conditions and I received a message stating my vehicle was overheating. My mechanic advised that I need a new water pump, a new thermostat, and while it's not related, I also need a new oil housing gasket. It sounds like these are all common failures on these vehicles and my mechanic noted "it's not a matter of if these items will fail, but when". moreover, one simple google search will tell you the same. If these parts are truly an issue, why are then not recalled? my car going into limp mode while driving on a highway should be considered a safety concern, particularly in populated metro areas with a toddler in the back seat. Unfortunately, to repair these 3 parts, I've been quoted $1500 for the repairs, which is absolutely ridiculous for a car that has 60,000 miles on it.
- Woodbury, MN, USA
Engine overheat warning due to water pump issues. Just under 5 years of brand new purchase. See similar part has excessive complaints. X3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?T=1219853&page=2 BMW initially charged me as a thermostat issue, and replaced it after 3 months back-ordered parts. 1 day after thermostat replacement, symptoms re-appeared. This time they are replacing other parts. With number of people complaining about it, it should be considered as a recall. Every repair with BMW is very expensive.
- Lynnwood, WA, USA
Timing chain malfunction/engine failure
- Kansas City, KS, USA
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that the warning indicators flashed for the oil pressure low and drive train, and the vehicle suddenly decelerated without warning. The vehicle started to coast and randomly stalled. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that metal shavings were in the oil. Further diagnostic testing was required to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to a second independent repair shop for further testing. The dealer and manufacturer were notified. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
- Hinckley, OH, USA
On year after puchasing car, and after warranty period, starting getting drivetrain malfunction error. Smoked on turning on ignition a couple of times. Took to BMW and was told it needed a turbo. Was told by BMW mechanic that every one of this model needed a new turbo. $6000. Internet blog sites also indicate that the turbo goes out all the time. If it is a manufacturers defect new then this should be a recall. People can't pay $6000 on new cars for turbos when they know it is defective.
- Hickory Flat, MS, USA
Had been driving for approx. 5 minutes in residential area. Check engine light, low oil pressure warning & black smoke thru dashboard. Could see flames under the hood. Within 5-6 minutes car was fully engulfed in flames. Nothing left except for the frame. Total loss, almost no warning.
- Princeton Junction, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
- Miami, FL, USA
Firstly approximate incident date is approximate and may be off. Its just been over 2 years I have owned this BMW and I have kept my BMW for check engine error repair for 4 times at stevens creek BMW. 3 times out of this 4 has been between June 2014 to till date. Once again the check engine error is on which makes it the 5th time. At this point I don't think this BMW is reliable and I don't have the energy and patience to keep taking appointments and getting such errors fixed on monthly basis. I don't intend to keep using this vehicle and getting it fixed on monthly basis. Its good that my BMW is still under the 4 year coverage but if this wasn't available then I would have incurred huge expenses on monthly basis to get these errors fixed. Getting the same error on repeated basis proves that this BMW has a manufacturing defect. BMW customer relations isn't helping me on this. They are just wasting time saying we are getting reports from dealer and awaiting the BMW western regional team to look into this. The last check engine light came on during thanksgiving break and I took an appointment with stevens creek BMW for 12/03/2014. On 12/02/2014 the check engine light didn't come on. I checked with stevens creek BMW and they said since the check engine light isn't on we can't diagnose the reason why it had switched on so please don't bring in the BMW as we wont be of any help. So I didn't bring my BMW to dealer workshop. Based on this BMW regional management has denied looking into my case and said we can't provide any assistance.
- Cupertino, CA, USA
My wife was driving on a local side street (speed limit 25 mph) at a speed of approximately 20 mph and I was sitting in the passenger seat. We were coming upon numerous stop signs, so in order to avoid the BMW autostart/stop feature (this feature shuts the car engine off when the car stops to save fuel) from activating, I reached over to turn off the autostart button. This button is located directly next to the start/stop button. Instead, I accidentally hit the start/stop button (this is a keyless car) and while traveling at 20 mph the car engine shut off and we had to coast to a stop without power steering or any power, before being able to start the car. In order to restart the car, the brake pedal must be pressed. If this happened while at highway speeds, an accident would have been very likely to have occurred. This is a design safety issue that needs replacement/recall.
- Norfolk, VA, USA
In stop and go traffic on the interstate I was braking after moving forward a few feet and the engine started racing causing the car to lurch forward (given I was on the brake) until the brake would not hold any longer at which point the car accelerated in traffic despite me pushing even harder on the brake. The brake was completely unresponsive at this point. I avoided rear ending the car in front of me by swerving around him but could not avoid the vehicle farther ahead in traffic and hit the right rear of a uhaul storage unit towed by a vehicle and the BMW flipped onto its right side. Miraculously, we walked away with only minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Seat restraints and airbags worked perfectly which is the only kind thing we can now say despite having no prior issues. Whether it is an onboard computer malfunction or not we will never own another BMW... and if the other online posts have been there when I purchased the vehicle in Sept 2012 (and had I read them) then I never would have purchased the vehicle. Coupled with other carcomplaint.com, BMW community blogs, and NHTSA posts surrounding 2012 and 2013 X3 events of the identical nature there should be an immediate investigation as to the simultaneous and concurrent event of the throttle acceleration while braking, and the brakes failing (as if the computer thinks the brake pedal is the gas pedal?).. and a recall before deaths occur... though it is likely they've already occurred since the dead can't testify as to a problem that other BMW dealer service departments fail to replicate and therefore discount. The back hatch of our vehicle also flipped open allowing items to fall onto the highway (despite no impact to the rear of the vehicle) though all passenger car doors remained closed. The vehicle has been totaled. We would certainly not get into that car ever again even if it were repairable.
- San Diego, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while trying to accelerate from a stop the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. After inspection, they advised her that the vehicle was acting as normal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150. The current mileage was approximately 200. The VIN was unavailable.
- Mountain Lake, NJ, USA
- St. Augustine, FL, USA