BMW X3 Complaints (2015)

105 consumer complaints on file.

#11638227January 24, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638040January 23, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, there was a burning odor coming through the vents on the dashboard. The contact stated that she had not observed any warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that the odor was intermittent but had been occurring for almost 4 months. The contact had stopped driving the vehicle out of concern that the vehicle might catch on fire. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. The contact was advised by the dealer that a second letter would be sent when parts were available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636209January 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The vehicle was driven 30 miles and parked at 9am weather was in the 30s-40s F. There were no check engine light, warning lights or abnormal readings on the gauges during the commute. At approximately noon, the vehicles was started and idled for approximately 20 min, it was not driven or moved from the parking spot, the car did not reach full operating temp. Smoke with a burnt plastic and electrical odor was noted emanating from under the hood while parked idling. The car was immediately shut off and exited. The driver went inside to get help. After returning to the vehicle in approximately 5minutes it was fully engulfed in flames. The fire department came to put out the fire. The vehicle is a total loss. The fire damaged adjoining vehicles and the property where it was parked. The vehicle was towed back to my residence where it remains for evidence. Upon review of BMW recall 24v-608 i performed an inspection of the water pump electrical connection plug and identified there is evidence of an electrical short on the plug which appears to have burnt through the connector prior to the major engine compartment fire. I have contacted BMW to file a complain and have followed up multiple times with the point of contact identified to me by BMW, but have been unsuccessful to date to establish communications with the BMW representative.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634214January 5, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving on the interstate [XXX] when the car (2015 x3 BMW xDrive28d) went into neutral out of nowhere and the car completely stopped and never came back on. I was just about to get off of the next exit and did not make it I was stuck in the middle of the interstate scared no one would pull over to help me it was dark when all of this was taking place cars were speeding and would come up on the car at the last minute to go around almost causing a accident once they realized the car wouldn’t start. When trying to see if the car would turn back on it wouldn’t things came up on the screen saying power train along with the check engine light and some smoke was coming from underneath the hood it was also saying battery not charging. I had to wait 2hrs for a tow truck to get the car back to my house and the police never came. On [XXX] I then had the car towed to bmw dealership (Bmw of Bloomfield) in New Jersey where the vehicle is currently at they have told me it was a fuel pump issue. This has never happened to me before until the night of [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633882January 3, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving on the interstate at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a right turn onto the exit, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral, and the vehicle shut off unintendedly. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined the fuel pump control module (EKPS) needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626787November 22, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact noticed a coolant leak on the floor. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626236November 19, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine overheated, and the messages "Low Coolant" and "Service Engine" were displayed. Upon inspection, the contact identified a damaged coolant hose causing coolant to leak onto several electrical wires within the engine compartment. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611345August 28, 2024
AIR BAGS
Front passenger air bag seat occupancy sensor (OC3) mat. The air bag is on for a while "passenger restrain system", nothing really happened it appear one day and never left.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610935August 26, 2024
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
Intermittent, but frequent failure of seat occupancy sensor on front passenger seat. Appears to be related to occupancy weight sensor. As sensor is not functioning properly, passenger airbag is being unsafely deactivated, leading to lack of airbag deployment if a front end collision were to occur. Problem is reproducible, but has not been taken to dealer, nor has it been inspected. Warning alert displays, then turns off, then returns frequently while the front passenger seat is occupied.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609910August 21, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel pump failed, leading to overheating notice, leading to engine cutting out while driving. I was on one lane road 50 MPH speed limit and able to drift to side of road at around 10-15mph, but if I was on freeway and engine cut and had to get to side of road at 10-15mph it would have been extremely dangerous. Car towed to BMW dealership, replaced water pump, but since 2015 x3 35i not subject to recall , paid out of pocket.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605415July 30, 2024
ENGINE
On 07/06/2024, I turned on my car and hear a loud ticking noise that ticked faster or slower when I tried to accelerate or decelerate the car. I turned the car off and towed it to a AAA mechanic. They reported my engine was damaged and I’ll need a new engine. I towed it to a second mechanic for a second opinion, at Jindal-Andre Automotive/Yellow Cab and the reported engine rod bearings failure on my BMW that has only 86,880 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581747April 8, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568985January 31, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger’s side door handles had melted and was falling apart. The passenger’s side door handle had split down the middle and was peeling. The driver's side door was melted and had detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and declined to assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554479November 10, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This is a very common malfunction happening with this motor/fuel injection system. N47T/N57T DIESEL FUEL INJECTORS: LTD WTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES. The vehicles listed have the same engine as mine, yet my specific model is not listed. Please can I have a letter explaining to the dealership that this is a faulty fuel injector and the warranty extension should cover my vehicle as well. SI B01 09 19 (DC 13 53 90 06 00)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552082October 26, 2023
AIR BAGS, SEATS
I continue to get airbag warning light and front passenger seat occupant detection malfunction. I was told by local mechanic that ACSM fault codes are 930A60 and 930A1C.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525875June 7, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle started to decelerate independently. The driver stated that he started to smell a smoke odor inside the cabin of the vehicle and saw smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stated that no visible flames were seen. The contact stated that the drive train warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road and exit the vehicle safely. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler, the valve cover, and intake manifold was melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515776April 6, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact's mother owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated while his mother was driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The owner took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the diesel fuel injector to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515345April 4, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
Driver drove approx. 3.5 to passenger’s home. While sitting & talking to the passenger for several minutes, the car suddenly, rapidly lurched forward, crashing into neighbor’s property. Substantial damage was done to the neighbor’s deck and brick wall at rear of the house. At least one piece of heavy lumber speared through the windshield between the driver and passenger. Vehicle is auto-shut off capable, however, the driver doesn’t recall if they shut the engine off manually, but believes it may have auto-shut off, while stopped before parking the vehicle. Driver recalls pressing the “P” button to put the vehicle in park. Driver said they were just sitting and talking to the Passenger (ie Driver was in a relaxed seating position, hands were not on the steering wheel, and feet not on the pedals). Driver said they attempted to hit the brakes after the vehicle lurched forward, but feels that they may have partially froze due to the shock of the unexpected acceleration. The passenger who also witnessed the event says the car seemed to go slowly for a split second then suddenly took off at extremely high acceleration. Passenger said prior to the car moving, the driver was pressing or had pressed the park button on the gear shift, when the car started to move, slowly at first (for a split second) and then suddenly the car took off at rapid acceleration. Driver said they recalled checking to see if the car was in park, which they noted is indicated by a red light (which they recall seeing). Passenger doesn’t recall seeing light on, but recalls Driver pressing the P button at least twice. Vehicle owned since 2017, purchased with 24k miles, 1 prior owner (previously leased). Vehicle had about 50k miles at time of incident. Vehicle was always serviced at BMW of Fairfax. No prior issues with the vehicle. The car was equipped with BMW OEM rubber floor mats. No Airbag deployment. The event occurred on or about May 25th, 2021 at 9 pm. Vehicle deemed total loss.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506007February 7, 2023
ENGINE
Yesterday I was driving on the highway and in the fast lane, with only a break down lane off of the slow lane, the car just shut off. I was extremely lucky that I was able to coast over to the slow lane and then to the break down lane. I could have caused an accident or been hurt myself traveling at high speeds and the car just shutting off. I had the vehicle towed and was told the timing chain broke. This is a known issue and a class action lawsuit was filed against BMW and they settled outside of court. BMW has failed to admit they made a mistake when designing my vehicle and others like it that use the same engine and features. They have refused to admit this should be a recall. The timing chain is inside the engine and is very labor intensive for to be replaced or if it can be at all. There are so many BMW owners that have had this problem that it is known, the timing chain can be replaced before it breaks but once it breaks the entire engine has to be replaced. The only warning light I had was while it was happening. There was not pre-warning that I should take it to the shop and have it replaced. If there was, I would have had the work done! Now I am left with a totaled vehicle that isn't covered by insurance and BMW won't back their product and help in any way. I called BMW North America and several BMW dealerships, no one is willing to do anything. They are telling me I have too many miles on the vehicle. I brought the vehicle in to a BMW dealer (with 98k miles) for a noise and that it was shutting off. They said it was the battery. They replaced it and sent me on my way. Never mentioned the lawsuit or bad part. Now the timing belt has broken at 113k miles. BMW is supposed to be known for their longevity but they will not back their product.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499149December 28, 2022
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owned a 2015 BMW X3. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The contact stated that unknown warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for the recall repair, and the contact was made aware of additional unknown failures and repairs that were needed. The recall repair was completed, and the vehicle was then traded in. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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