5.6

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,460 miles

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problem #3

May 152023

X3

  • miles
I am writing to report a potential safety problem with my 2018 BMW X3, VIN: (provide VIN here if available), that was purchased in May 2018 and has covered 36,000 miles since then. The vehicle has always been garaged and well-maintained. A few weeks ago, I experienced a critical malfunction with the vehicle's moonroof. I opened it normally, but it failed to close afterwards. I should note that this was merely the 4th or 5th time I have ever operated the moonroof since the car was purchased. As of now, the moonroof remains in the open position unable to close it even manually. With summer on the horizon, the interior of the car is exposed to direct sunlight and increasing temperatures. This situation raises significant concerns for my family, particularly the potential health risks to my 7-year-old daughter due to prolonged exposure to excessive heat and sunlight. Upon experiencing this issue, I contacted the service department for troubleshooting. The technicians diagnosed the issue as a problem with the interior sunshade motor, an electrical issue that necessitates a labor-intensive process to fix, including the removal of the vehicle's headliner. Subsequently, I reached out to BMW North America, seeking support and resolution for this significant malfunction. To my disappointment, they declined to acknowledge the problem or offer any assistance towards remediation. This response was unexpected and unsatisfactory, considering the potential health risks and safety concerns the malfunctioning moonroof poses to occupants of the vehicle. I respectfully request your department to investigate this matter and take appropriate action to protect the safety and wellbeing of consumers who may be dealing with similar issues. This may well represent a widespread manufacturing defect that could affect numerous vehicles of the same make and model, thereby posing substantial risks to a large number of people. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

- Fulton, MD, USA

problem #2

Mar 162021

X3

  • 31,380 miles
The vehicle's rear liftgate has opened randomly several times without notice or without input from the user. The first incident was when backing out of a parking spot, the rear liftgate opened suddenly. This is concerning because it was a busy parking lot and our dog was in the car and began to jump out of the vehicle and could have jumped into moving traffic. Another incident occurred in our driveway where the vehicle was parked and unlocked and unoccupied. We noticed that the hatch had opened by itself at some point without any input from anyone. I do not want to wait for an additional incident to occur which could lead to the injury or death of an occupant, human or otherwise. Our vehicle is outfitted with a factor tow hitch so we believe that the car does not have the capability of hands-free liftgate opening with a 'kick' motion. We do not know if the sensors for this feature are still installed but disabled and/or if they became enabled by mistake through a software update at the dealership.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #1

Jul 172019

X3

  • 15,000 miles
Uncommanded opening of the rear hatch while the vehicle was in motion. This has happened on four occasions. The first time was on md route 29 near the route 175 intersection. The second was on goshen view dr gaithersburg md. The third and fourth were on goshen rd, gaithersburg md.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA