BMW X3 Complaints (2008)

122 consumer complaints on file.

#11462547April 28, 2022
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving my car and the car overheated due to a faulty pcv valve heater: 1.The purpose of the PCV heater is to prevent the PCV valve from freezing in cold ambient temperatures. Heated PCV valves are heated either by water or electric. Water heated systems use engine coolant to heat the valve to prevent freezing. Electrically heated systems use a heating element enclosed in the PCV valve to prevent the valve from freezing. Symptoms of my car Faulty water pump 2 A malfunctioning pcv valve heater, a clogged hose or PCV system or inoperative valve can increase oil consumption because pressure builds when the vapors in the crankcase aren't allowed to flow into the combustion chambers. That additional pressure can force oil past seals and gaskets Symptoms of my car Leaking oil pan gasket Lealing valve cover gasket 3 If the PCV valve and or pcv heater is faulty , the extra gunk can mess up a BMW X3’s spark plugs and increase oil consumption. Symptoms of my car Faulty spark plugs 4.Excessive heat or excessive oil due to malfunctioning pcv valve heater can cause a camshaft actuator to fail Symptoms of my car Faultt camshaft actuator
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461763April 22, 2022
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X3. The contact stated that while at a stop there was an abnormal plastic burning odor coming through the vent. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was called to her home for maintenance, and the mechanic made minor repairs and reset the computer; however, the failure returned soon after repair. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while picking up her grandson from school, she had attempted to accelerate after placing the vehicle into the park; however, the vehicle stalled. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights were illuminated during the failure. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to her home where it remained. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts are not available. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441871November 28, 2021
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The problem with the 2008 BMW X3 transmission is going to get someone KILLED!! This transmission DOES NOT RESPOND when depressing the accelerator at random times & HAS DONE THIS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. it happened once after pulling away from an ezpass booth - the car just froze and would not accelerate nearly causing an accident. Now it has caused an accident. How are you not doing anything when this has CAUSED DEATHS!!! here is a link to a blog that shows many bmw x3 owners have the problem - some have had their cars replaced by bmw and others have been ignored. this is a serious safety issue that is being ignored by the manufacturer (similar to the toyota issue). please investigate before someone gets killed. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262130.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441875November 28, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I am working with a journalist at CNBC to get info about this death trap out since NHTSA is ignoring the issue completely. People are telling you their family members are injured and/or dying because 2008 BMW X3’s simply loose power at 70mph and transmission issues that make this care not accelerate, jerk, stall, etc. I have been helping contact other owners in an effort to see if they have any unreported issues and many say their complaints were also ignored. when you try to accelerate, the transmission "thinks" about what gear it should be in. the vehicle hesitates, stalls slightly, and creeps along slowly before second gear catches. the rpms are erratic when accelerating. very unpredictable when trying to accelerate. the hesitation is the main issue, especially when trying to pull out of an intersection across traffic. it can become a very scary situation when you want to accelerate and nothing happens. this is an ongoing problem. nothing in particular causes it to happen besides regular acceleration. the problem is intermittent and may disappear while driving. however, it will appear again for no real reason. a software update was performed in mid-july. the problem was still noticeable. on august 3rd, the vehicle was once again brought in for service work. the service manager came along for the drive and noticed the transmission problem. another 2008 bmw x3 that was on the lot was driven under the same driving conditions. the same issues with the transmission were noted. he told me that they will contact bmw to see if there are any service bulletins on how to correct the problem, but was unaware of any fix currently available. after two service calls the problem still persists without any fix as of yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404395March 23, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED MAKING THE WINDOW NOT WOR AND SIT IN THE FRAME WRONG AT HIGH SPEEDS IT SOUNDS LIKE THE WINDOW WILL SHATTER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11396729February 18, 2021
SEATS
ON DECEMBER 19, 2020 WHILE DRIVING WITH MY DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ON WARMING MY SEAT DUE TO COLD WEATHER, I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MEDICATION AT THE PHARMACY WHEN I NOTICED A SHARP STING AND BURNING SENSATION ON MY LOWER RIGHT SIDE. I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED MY COAT ON FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I GOT OUT, FRANTICALLY PATTED MY COAT THAT WAS BURNING, AND LOOKED AT MY SEAT TO SEE IF THERE WAS A FIRE AND THERE WAS A HOLE WHERE THE HEATER HAD BURNED COMPLETELY THRU THE LEATHER SEAT. I GOT BACK IN, DIDN'T TURN THE HEATER ON, AND WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I DIDN'T DRIVE UNTIL THAT MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 I DROVE TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP THAT REGULARLY SERVICES MY VEHICLE AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A KNOWN RECALL OR ISSUES. HE EXPLAINED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE HEATER SYSTEM IN THE SEATS FAILING AND CAUSING DAMAGE BUT CURRENTLY NO RECALLS FOR THE ISSUE. I ASKED HOW COULD THAT BE WITH THE DANGER INVOLVED? I EXPLAINED IT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGICALLY WORSE IF I HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND COULDN'T GET IT OUT. I WAS LUCKY I FELT IT QUICKLY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. CHRIS AT CAIN BMW, NORTH CANTON, OHIO INSPECTED MU VEHICLE AND GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $1,495.00 TO REPLACE THE PART OF MY SEAT AFFECTED WITH A NEW HEATING SYSTEM AND REPAIR. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER ALREADY KNOWING THERE'S AN ISSUE. I JUST WANT THEM TO RECALL VEHICLES THEY KNOW ARE AFFECTED AND REPAIR. OR AT LEAST VOLUNTARILY REPAIR VEHICLES THAT REPORT THE ISSUE. (JUST FOR CLARIFICATION: I WAS DRIVING THRU TOWN ON A STATE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS) I KEPT THE COAT THAT CAUGHT FIRE JUST IN CASE IT WOULD BE NEEDED LATER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11388375January 15, 2021
ENGINE
SHEARED MOTOR MOUNT SUPPORT BRACKET TO ENGINE BOLT AT OR BEFORE 112K MILES. FOUND BOLT HEAD ON REINFORCEMENT PLATE UNDER SUPPORT BRACKET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11387649January 12, 2021
AIR BAGS
BMW FORT LAUDERDALE REFUSES TO REPLACE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG! THEY CLAIM ONLY DRIVERS SIDE TANAKA AIRBAG NEEDS REPLACEMENT!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11384143December 18, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY CAR HAS SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN SEVERAL OCCASIONS NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT 60 MPH ON ONE OCCASION. WHEN POWER IS LOST STEERING SEIZES UP COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WHATSOEVER & MY CAR HAS STARTED UP AS THOUGH NOTHING IS WRONG AFTER. THE SECOND ISSUE IS SO WELL KNOWN IT HAS BEEN LABELED AS THE "TERRIBLE TRIAD" AC ROAD ALL BMW FORUMS, YOUTUBE. TWITTER, ETC. YOU CAN FIND THOUSANDS OF CHATS & FORUMS DISCUSSING THE 3 LIGHTS WHICH APPEAR SIMULTANEOUSLY DUE TO TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR & I DRIVE ISSUES. MY 4X4 LIGHT IS ON INDEFINITELY & ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS CAN BE FELT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11360382September 22, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
NHTSA: PLEASE HELP, OUR 2008 (BESIDES ALL LOST TIME FOR THE REPAIRED RECALLS) OUR 2008 BMW X3 IS SUFFERING THE EXACT AS IN THE RECALL BELOW; NHTSA 14V176000, THE BMW DEALER REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS DUE TO "ENGINE PROBLEMS"JULY 2020,MILES 135,000 THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THAT BMW DEALER, NASHUA NH THEN CALLED US TO SAY IT WOULD BE $4,500.00 TO FIX. UNSAFE TO DRIVE, IT LOST POWER BY 70% OR GREATER-MY WIFE, AND I HAVE BEEN NEARLY _REAR ENDED WHEN THIS OCCURED AT HIGWAY SPPEDS-AND SLOWER LOCAL SPEEDS IE 65MPH OR 30 MPH LIMITS.....WE HAD TO STOP DRIVING FOR LIFE SAFETY. 1. HOW DID BMW GET AWAY WITH NOT INCLUDING THE OTHER YRS WITH SAME ENGINE SAFETY ISSUES(OURS 2008) AND WHY DID A BMW SERV.ADVISOR REPLACE PARTS FOR OVER $1000.00 KNOWING THAT A BMW SERV.BULLETIN HAD CITED THE MANUFACTURE DEFECTS? 3. PLEASE HELP WITH RECOURSE? I AM SENDING TITLE COPY FOR OWNERSHIP, I AM AWAITING COPIES OF REPAIRS BY BMW (THEY ARE BEING SLOW / DELAYING) I AM COLLECTING ALL REPAIR RECEIPTS AT THIS TIME. AGAIN: THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND LOST POWER, STALLED AND EVENTUALLY STARTED WITH LOST POWER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11322973May 1, 2020
SEATS
AFTER TURNING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER, IT DEFAULTS TO HIGH, THE LEFT SIDE SEAT BOLSTER STARTED TO SMOKE. A FEW SECONDS LATER BEFORE MY WIFE REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING SHE FELT HER LEFT ARM AND SIDE GETTING A LOT HOTTER THAN THE REST OF HER SEAT. THE SEAT HEATER THEN IMMEDIATELY BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11246217August 24, 2019
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TRANSFER CASE NEED TO BE REPAIRED VARIOUS TIMES. THE PLASTIC PIECE INSIDE THE CASE KEEP GOING BAD CAUSING ME TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE MOTOR AND LABOR COST TO DO SO. WITHOUT A PROPER TRANSFER CASE YOU CAN NOT SWITCH GEARS PROPERLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILD IN A REAR CAR SEAT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11160665December 11, 2018
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING, THE 4X4 AND BREAK LIGHTS COME ON THE DASHBOARD, AFTER A FEW MILES OF DRIVING THE POWER TRAIN CAN BE FELT TO BE FAILING/SLIPPING, IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN MAKING A TURN, ACCORDING TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP, THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AFTER SOME RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE WITH BMW CARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11154408November 28, 2018
AIR BAGS
RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 17V-605. I NEED THIS PART INSTALLED NOW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11133166October 3, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF MONROVIA (1425 MOUNTAIN AVE, MONROVIA, CA 91016, (855) 627-5361) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. 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
#11124220September 4, 2018
AIR BAGS, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V83000 (ENGINE) WERE RECEIVED IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER OF 2017. AFTER CONTACTING BMW OF BIRMINGHAM (11000 TOM WILLIAMS WAY, IRONDALE AL), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11111225July 13, 2018
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAUDERDALE BMW OF PEMBROKE PINES (14800 SHERIDAN ST, PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33028, 954-620-5050) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THAT THE CV JOINT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED, BUT THE CV JOINT WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CV JOINT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11110747July 11, 2018
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. THE DEALER (NIELLO BMW, 2020 FULTON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95825, (916) 486-1011) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11105129July 2, 2018
AIR BAGS, ENGINE
RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES FROM BMW USA 11/17 AND 12/17 FOR ISSUES WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT AND THE ENGINE PCV VALVE HEATER. CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM FIXED. WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE NATIONAL OFFICE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT HAVING THE PARTS THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ADMITTED THAT THEY COULD GET THE PARTS BUT WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE NATIONAL OFFICE HAD NOT AUTHORIZED THEIR USE. REPEATEDLY CHECK WITH THEM OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER AGAIN AND AGAIN. CONTACTED BMW USA DIRECTLY THROUGH THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVE WHO STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE KNOWN SAFETY ISSUES AND WERE HOPING TO HAVE THEM FIXED LATER THIS YEAR. WHEN I INFORMED THEM THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD GET THE PARTS THEY FINALLY ADMITTED THAT YES THEY HAD THEM BUT NOT ENOUGH TO COVER ALL THE RECALLED VEHICLES SO THEY WERE NOT AUTHORIZING REPAIRS YET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11089882April 24, 2018
AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. BMW OF FORT WAYNE (929 AVE OF AUTOS, FORT WAYNE, IN) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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