I have a 2014 X3 xDrive28i with 114, 000 miles. On August 4th 2024 while I was going 15 miles per hour on a residential road, when my iDrive instrument notification panel displayed "drivetrain malfunction! pullover shut off engine". I immediately came to a stop and turned off the engine, I was unable to re-start it afterwards. I had it towed to my local Ralley BMW dealer, where it then restarted after being removed from the flatbed tow truck. They were unable to determine the cause of the issue. They did a software update and told me that was probably all it was. I soon found out there is a massive issue with the timing chain & chain guides that can cause the timing to skip, resulting in premature shutdown or catastrophic engine failure. I took it to a reputable independent shop who later identified that the timing chain had excessive slack and was not able to be adjusted for proper tension, due to the catastrophic failure of the timing guides. Required repairs will cost upwards of $4,000, which I am currently in the process of completing.

- Miller Place, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted into neutral(N), and the engine seized. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Lemont, IL, USA

Vehicle intermittently lost power in motion on a highway causing the speed to drop at times from 55 to 45 until slowing down to a stop and intermittently caused random alerts to come on such as "door open" when driving when door was locked/not opened or powertrain alert or chassis stabilizer alert. This happened prior to hid installs but occurred more frequently with hid installment. Dealership discovered the accelerator pedal module was faulty. Very unsafe. Apparently the extra voltage from the lights was the reason for the increased duration for this faulty issue. Multiple reports of this on forums. Car is only at 46K.

- Wasilla, AK, USA

Bought a new 2014 BMW X3. In November 2014 without any warning, this SUV had a mechanical breakdown in the middle of the street. This vehicle controlled itself, I was not in control of this vehicle. For more than half an hour, the truck was jerking hard back and forth if I took my foot off the brakes. The wheels were not moving any time. I could not exit this vehicle because the body was jerking. I thought about jumping out but I didn't know if the vehicle would hit someone or I would have been hit by another vehicle, hurt from jumping and falling, etc. The vehicle cabin felt as though it was disconnected from the bottom of the SUV and held together with springs. My life was in danger as a result of this. The flasher stopped working after a couple minutes. I pushed the starter/stop button, the remote lock, the emergency brake, etc. But nothing kept the truck from moving unless I kept my foot on the brake for over half hour. Also, I had conversations with geico tow and BMW tow while this was taking place. I could not control this vehicle! the damages were extensive to this vehicle that the dealership had to get bmwusa to authorize the repairs. The mechanic told me in all his years, he had never seen anything like this. The tow truck driver could not get the X3 to move either. I want passport BMW to fully disclose all the problems with the vehicle to the new owners because they appear to minimize damages in their report to me. After this experience, I had to buy another vehicle because I will never drive/ride in that X3. My thoughts are with the people that purchase that X3.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA