BMW X3 Complaints (2021)

113 consumer complaints on file.

#11554345November 9, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving on a highway with occasional traffic lights, my 2021 X3 Plugin hybrid's sunroof's from glass cracked with a loud bang. I had it closed and the sun shade part also was closed. The loud bank also felt like an impact on my head and I felt in a bit of a shock like the time I was hit from behind with a shock and having to think. I first though it was a tire and slowed down to safely exit into a business parking lot to asses the situation. After checking the tires I noticed something on the roof. The glass was cracked and deformed in an upward direction. It was still pushing upward and a 4-6 inch section fell off and onto the top of the sun shade part. In safety, the loud shock caused a brief distraction on a highway going at least 50 MPH. Also if the sun shade was open some of the glass could have fallen on me. I searched online and found previous complaints about 'exploding sunroofs': https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/bmw-exploding-sunroof-lawsuit.shtml. I did not see anything coming toward the car or notice other cars possibly slowing down or getting hit by something that would have hit my sunroof and bounced around in the traffic. I mobile detailer helped clean up the glass so I can drive on and able to take it to the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550565October 18, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving approximately 3 MPH, and slowing to park the vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,307.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546822September 27, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sun roof glass shattered while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541760August 30, 2023
STEERING
Both front end tie-rods had to be replaced at 28000 miles. They were making a loud popping noise when steering the vehicle on uneven pavement. The bushings on the tie-rods were worn out and could have failed at any time, resulting in a complete loss of steering control. The vehicle has not been in any accidents or received any damage to wheels and/or tires from hitting any curbs or potholes. In my opinion, this is a dangerous condition which warrants additional investigation. The repair / replacement was performed at the auto dealership where the vehicle was purchased new in April 2021.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537884August 11, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION
I was driving down the street from my home and I slowed down turned right and my car was out of control I steered to the curb. I got out and saw that the tire had blown-up and a large piece of the tire which was cut in half was on the ground. I couldn’t drive the car I called a tow truck driver who was there within 30 min he towed my car to BMW. It hasn’t been fully inspected I am waiting for USAA to inspect with Spectrum collision. Several people from the collision company have said it may be a tire failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534701July 26, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Severe clunk while in reverse probably coming from rear differential
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522586May 18, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The BMW X3 went in for a recall to reprogram the DME. After updating the DME software by BMW the DME was no longer talking to other modules. The BMW Assistant Service Manager said and I quote him "IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITHOUT A FIX". I ask for clarification and I was told that there were some 100 modules or so that are in the car and that they now no longer reliably talked with other modules as a result of the updating the DME recall software. I was given one example by BMW of possible implications to modules not talking to each other where BMW was not sure if the airbag was getting correct information. BMW when on to say they were not sure what exactly was and was not affected but they considered it now a safety issue. They have had our BMW X3 since February 7th, 2023 after numerous fix attempts. As of today that would be 101 days at the BMW service department. BMW also said there were other BMWs with the same issue. Bottom line BMW treated the issue as a safety issue. Again that safety issue was created by a failed updating the DME software module on a recall. There is a dashboard emissions warning light that appears when the hybrid battery is drained. BMW also indicated that they have no idea what the full extent of failed software update, has done. RECALL . PLEASE PERFORM OPEN RECALL FOR THE DME PROGRAMMING, B121221, ADDDED ON 11/14/2022 AT 4:15 BY [XXX] preformed service Acton 12 12 21. defect code 0012690500. labor ops 00 71 240. ···WARRANTY, 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
#11520483May 4, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
I was slowly pulling into a parking space and as I applied pressure to the brakes, there was no response. In fact the car seemed to rev up and accelerate, jumping the curb and ramming a tree. I was able to steer away from the tree to avoid hitting the center of the front end, but smashing the left front. Even after hitting the tree the car did not slow and I’m trying to pump the brakes, there was no response… I kept going over a grassy area, across a sidewalk and back into the driveway in front of the building, finally the brakes engaged and the car came to a stop. I was then able to pull into another space safely out of the way. I was so lucky it was only 7:15 am and no pedestrians were around and no other vehicles. So I did not hit anyone and did not injure myself.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518308April 21, 2023
ENGINE
Intermittent Check Engine Light with the Plug In Hybrid X3 30e since January 2023. Vehicle has been taken back to BMW 2 times and released back to me without permanent fix. Vehicle as of April 2023 is currently held at dealership for 3rd time still without fix. Each check engine light results in a trip back to the dealership service center because we wouldn't know what is the severity of the issue. My safety is put at risk because a normal drive suddenly becomes worrisome and interrupted at random times and we have to attempt to safely pull over to call roadside assistance. Currently in communication with local dealership and have reached out to BMW Customer Relations without response yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516916April 13, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Traveling on 2 lane road with no cars around, bright day, 2:30pm about 40mph. Emergency braking beeped twice and immediately slammed on the brakes. Not sure what it thought it saw- tree shadows? The feature was set to medium. If another car was behind us it would have slammed into us. 5th time in 2 years. The dealer just shrugs and says to not set it to high responsiveness. This is a bad defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515636April 5, 2023
ENGINE
The check engine light is on. We have taken the vehicle to 2 different BMW dealerships and the problem persists. I have contacted BMW of North America and they have not responded. We are hesitant to drive this vehicle since it is unknown why the "check engine" light is on. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11488519October 9, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On 10/7/22 my wife started her 2021 BMW X3 and the instrument panel did not appear. She drove the vehicle to the local BMW dealership. After being told that the reported problem had not been previously reported by any other X3 owner, the dealer tested the vehicle. A scan returned a fault code, B7F8F9 HU-H. A software reset was performed and a test plan was conducted. Test plan directed technician to program vehicle due to unfavorable software. Vehicle was programmed to the latest integration level. Vehicle was test driven to confirm the repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462110April 25, 2022
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the sunroof fractured with some pieces of glass detaching from the sunroof assembly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451640February 12, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
wHILE DRIVING ON A MICHIGAN EXPRESSWAY 1/28/22 THE SUNROOF EXPLODED NOTHING HIT MY VEHICLE THE SUNROOF CAME CRASHING DOWN IN SMALL PICES AND COULD OF CUT A CHILD OR GOT IN ANYONES EYES PLUSH THE SHOCK OF THE EXPLODING GLASS I CONYACTED THE BME DEALER THEY DID NOT HELP PLUS ACTED LIKED THIS VEVER EVER HAPPEND i CONTACTED BMW USA AND THEY ADVISED HARD TO PROVE IT WAS A DEFECT AND IT MUST OF BEEN OUTSIDE FORCE MY INSUREANCE COMPANY DID INSPECT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448559January 23, 2022
SEATS
The side seat rail plastic covers are easily detached from both driver and passenger side of front seats. On one occasion, the driver seat cover detached and slid forward near pedals while driving creating a potentially serious accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442456December 2, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact leased a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V601000 (Electrical System) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440495November 15, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that the tailgate would fall on the contact without warning upon use. On one occasion, the tailgate had fallen on her left arm and the contact had to wrestle her arm out of the vehicle as the tailgate sensor failed to recognize her arm. Once her arm was released, the tailgate locked her purse inside the vehicle. The contact did not suffer any injuries. The contact called the dealer and arrangements were made to drop her off at home and to take her back to the vehicle once a spare key was made. The contact also stated that the car alarm would independently activate without warning while being driven and while stationary. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438825October 31, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My sunroof exploded while driving on the interstate. There was a very loud boom almost like a gunshot. All of the glass came crashing down into the cabin. This was an extremely dangerous situation as I was traveling on the interstate. There was no warning, no rocks or any other object hit the glass to initiate this occurrence. The vehicle will be inspected by the bmw dealer 11/1/21 and my insurance company is in the process of reviewing photos of the damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435343October 4, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
On many cars including mine, and a family members 2021 8 series, BMW uses a light sensor on the instrument cluster to set the daytime dimming of the digital cluster and backup cameras. However, Florida-legal window tint confuses the system, and causes the screens to dim in a way that cannot be overridden or adjusted. There is a setting for screen brightness, however it is only active for night. This has caused difficulties reading the instrument display repeatedly. This is includes: collision warnings, back up camera, vehicle speed, and safety warnings. Here is a video showing the effect on someone else's car. Mine is worse, and driver said that that is gets worse depending on circumstances. https://streamable.com/n4tjp4
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434808September 28, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The high voltage battery recall has been open for 1 year, which any reasonable person would agree is far in excess of a reasonable amount of time as the issue is one that could lead to a fire / death.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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