2013 BMW X3 problems
Owners have filed 346 complaints about the 2013 BMW X3 with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 42.5% of them — the clear leader, ahead of power train at 17.3%.
Complaints346
Crashes6
Fires16
Injuries10
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 42.5% · 147
Power train 17.3% · 60
Electrical system 8.4% · 29
Service brakes 4.9% · 17
Fuel/propulsion system 4.6% · 16
Air bags 4.0% · 14
Unknown or other 4.0% · 14
Engine and engine cooling 3.8% · 13
Severity
Of those complaints, 6 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire and 10 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 15 model years of the BMW X3 in this data, 2013 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 46 in the last three years against 71 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 85,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The vehicle (at 102k mileage) failed to start at the heavy traffic interaction without any warning signs, and was then towed to a local BMW shop. A mechanic found the broken timing chain guard with many debris of plastic guard recovered from the engine during repairing. A total cost to replace the timing chain was $3685.05. The vehicle had oil change at a local BMW dealership about 6 months before the incident. Engine
Driving west on i84 in ct. Just east of exit 33 before rt 72 merge low oil pressure message comes on. Within 30 seconds drivetrain malfunction message appears and the engine starts to power down. Barely made it across the 2 lanes merging on the right and onto the shoulder before the engine lost power entirely and shut down. Could have been a total disaster given the high speed merge and volume of traffic. Engine · reported at 104,344 miles
The vehicle has been to shop 2 times.1St drivetrain light came on and car would slow down in the middle of the highway.Then it would totally stop. 2Nd time it did the same thing except oil pressure light came on saying pressure too low and it stopped right there in the middle of the street. Now the oil pressure light comes on every time I drive it. I'm afraid it will stop in the middle of the highway again. Engine · reported at 87,530 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…