2013 BMW X3 Problems

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light and drivetrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the positive battery terminal motherboard had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

BMW knows there is a problem with the 2013 x3 timing chain. I have continuously had my BMW serviced at there shops. Never once when my car was in for service did they mention the issue or proactively check. My vehicle now has the issue per the dealership snd indicated it is approximately a 20k repair which they included a new engine. I also followed BMWs recommendation to have the oil changed 1year or when miles were hit per their change program. Just has the oil changed in November and at the end of December now timing chain issues. Again multiple times this issue could have been identified and proactively fixed while under warrenty. Also has issues where the material on the glove box peeled off. BMW is also aware of this issue. Poor design and quality on these models/engine. Thank goodness i was not on the expressway when drivabilty issuev occurred!!!

BMW knows there is a problem with the 2013 x3 timing chain. I have continuously had my BMW serviced at there shops. Never once when my car was in for service did they mention the issue or proactively check. My vehicle now has the issue per the dealership snd indicated it is approximately a 20k repair which they included a new engine. I also followed BMWs recommendation to have the oil changed 1year or when miles were hit per their change program. Just has the oil changed in November and at the end of December now timing chain issues. Again multiple times this issue could have been identified and proactively fixed while under warrenty. Also has issues where the material on the glove box peeled off. BMW is also aware of this issue. Poor design and quality on these models/engine. Thank goodness i was not on the expressway when drivabilty issuev occurred!!!

I am submitting this report to highlight a serious safety defect involving premature timing chain failures in BMW vehicles. The case relates to a 2013 BMW X3, but the problem is widely documented across multiple BMW models from this production era. The timing chain is intended to last the lifetime of the engine. If it stretches, loosens, or fails, the engine can shut down immediately, causing sudden loss of power steering, power brakes, and overall control of the vehicle. This creates an extreme risk of accidents at highway speeds or in traffic. Unlike tires or brakes, this is not a normal wear component and should not fail under ordinary driving conditions. In this vehicle, the timing chain issue was identified at under 72,000 miles. A timing chain should last well over 400,000 miles under normal operation. The premature failure reflects a design flaw, not normal aging or maintenance. The vehicle had recently undergone major servicing at a BMW authorized dealer. At that time, the timing belt and other components were replaced at significant cost. The dealership did not disclose any timing chain concerns during that service. Only shortly afterward, during a recall-related visit, did they report that the timing chain required replacement, with a repair estimate of several thousand dollars. This matter was raised with BMW of North America, including a direct letter to its CEO. BMW acknowledged receipt but declined to take responsibility, treating the matter as outside warranty coverage rather than as a safety defect. The timing chain issue is widely reported, and BMW is aware of it. The sudden engine failure that can result from this defect presents a major safety hazard that warrants NHTSA’s attention.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light and drivetrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the positive battery terminal motherboard had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

The contact's daughter owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer found no signs of contamination and installed a water pump connector cap. The contact stated that a month after the repair, the engine was overheating while idling, and there was while smoke coming from the engine with an unknown warning light on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the water pump and the battery were replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the water pump connector cap was faulty and had caused the failure. The contact was reminded by his wife of the water pump recall and that the connector cap was replaced due to the recall. Despite the repair, the vehicle shut off soon after starting the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a BMW specialist, who discovered that an antifreeze leak had caused corrosion of several electrical wires inside the engine. The specialist informed the contact that the vehicle needed two engine wiring harnesses, an engine computer, and an IVM (Integrated Supply Module). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact filed paperwork online to be reimbursed for the repairs made to the vehicle. The manufacturer denied the reimbursement because the vehicle had been serviced by an independent mechanic and not a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

My Brake Vacuum Pump is broken, with oil leaking into the vacuum reservoir. The brake distance is much longer. I searched the web and found out a lot of people had the same issue.

When driving and after using brakes, the brakes do not let off, they drag. I was driving on the highway, and had to slow down for traffic and the car would not accelerate.This happened several times and I brought it to a BMW repair shop. They diagnosed it to be the ABS pump, replaced it with a used one and I have not had any problems since. I have researched this issue and found others with like make & model have had similar problems. Since this could cause the vehicle to slow down without actually braking, I worry about someone hitting the car from the back because the brake lights don't come on when this happens.

BMW knows there is a problem with the 2013 x3 timing chain. I have continuously had my BMW serviced at there shops. Never once when my car was in for service did they mention the issue or proactively check. My vehicle now has the issue per the dealership snd indicated it is approximately a 20k repair which they included a new engine. I also followed BMWs recommendation to have the oil changed 1year or when miles were hit per their change program. Just has the oil changed in November and at the end of December now timing chain issues. Again multiple times this issue could have been identified and proactively fixed while under warrenty. Also has issues where the material on the glove box peeled off. BMW is also aware of this issue. Poor design and quality on these models/engine. Thank goodness i was not on the expressway when drivabilty issuev occurred!!!

I had a terrible BMW X3 (2013) Engine timing chain failure leading to Engine failure (known BMW X3 N20 engine time chain and engine coolant pump defect). The Car is non drivable and had to be towed to BMW Cleveland dealership and should be available for inspection. While driving on busy [XXX] , suddenly showed “low coolant” indicator and yellow engine light which turned red after sometime and the car stalled complelely on the road that caused huge safety risk for me the driver and incoming traffic. Had to call 911 to help manage incoming traffic and help with towing the car to the dealership. Dealership reported engine timing chain and pump failure and recommending replacing them along with total engine replacement at a cost of $21000. There is also an open recall for this car, which was not fixed by the dealership (NHTSA Recall Number 24V608: ENGINE COOLANT PUMP) and I was told there is no remedy for this available. Due to the severe damage to car owing to faulty engine coolant pump and engine timing chain, I request NHTSA to order a recall and fix of all defective BMW 2013 X3 engines, coolant and fuel pumps by the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My wife was driving the car (her main, work car) with our 13 year old. She called me upset and told me that the car would barely move. This was disturbing. She was in heavy traffic. Also the car has been mostly reliable and we only have above 120k on the vehicle after almost 10 years. My wife slowly made it down busy Stocton Blvd. A few hundred feet and safely made it to a business parking lot. I came ASAP. (20min later). There was a message from the car - "Drive Train malfunction " it looked very serious. (Note: My wife is about the best, skillful and careful driver I know. Especially for a person originally from foreign country (China). I gave my wife and child my car and took over the situation. The car would only putt along at 5 mph. So with my emergency flashers on I drove it all the way home using the shoulder. Its about 5 miles home, (more or less). It was pretty crazy situation with how fast people drive on 65th Street expressway. This was my fastest route and only option. Before this a Firestone happened to be just across the street where my wife had parked it so I ask if they could help. "Not today" was their answer. I called BMW of Elk Grove, Ca. where we have always have taken it. Monica at BMW told me it sounded like a recall that had been happening. This was relieving since we haven't been financially well off. It was already 4-5pm so that's why I made the decision to try to make it home. At home I could get my affairs (phone) numbers in order and call for a tow in a much safer place. The unsafest part was getting the dangerous 5-10 miles home. It was Sunday but Monica at BMW said "no problem " just drop it off and they would look at it Monday morning. BMW is telling me over $1800 just to inspect. Not to mention how much for a new timing chain. Monica didn't tell me how much that us. I since looked it up. That's when I saw several similar stories of 2013 X3's which seems much more than coincidence so I'm writing you. Thank you for the opportunity

The system that failed was the TIMING CHAIN AND CHAIN TENSIONER. The vehicle stalled while I was driving on the interstate. Immediately, I had no power and had to maneuver the vehicle to the emergency lane, placing me and other drivers in extreme danger. The problem was inspected, confirmed and repaired by the vehicle dealer. Prior to stalling, there were no warning lights to indicate a problem. The lights did come on simultaneously with the engine failure.

Passenger airbag warning lights on/off for about a year. Currently the car has 60,000 miles. When I mentioned to dealer, (car in for emission recall), I was informed that the occupancy detection mat was faulty and needed to be replaced ($1821.04). If not replaced, vehicle would not pass Mass State Inspection. Had the work done at BMW dealer to have it replaced, as the car is due soon for an inspection sticker.

WARNING LIGHT REVEALED THAT PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG IS FAULTY AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT.

Car was parked and when I came out of Walmart it was on fire coming from the steering box. I tried to put it out with my jacket but yellow fire was too much. Fire department came on scene as well as police. By stander had large thermos of coffee and extinguished the fire before fire truck arrived.

TWICE NOW WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED. NO WARNING AT ALL. JUST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AS I WAS DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, JUST HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON A BUSY ROAD, THE SECOND WAS ON A MUCH LESS BUSY STREET CLOSE TO MY HOME. I HAD IT FIXED TO THE TUNE OF OVER $3000 THE FIRST TIME A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. NOW MY MECHANIC IS TELLING ME THAT IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN AND OIL PUMP DRIVE AND THAT WILL BE A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. I AM BESIDE MYSELF. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, LORD KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED BUT IT COULD'VE BEEN SOMETHING VERY CATASTROPHIC AND HORRIFIC. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND A WIDOW AND WITH THE PANDEMIC, I WAS OUT OF WORK FOR MANY MONTHS. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO DO BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS CAR FOR SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle, he noticed that the seat belt warning light was red and the message on the instrument panel displayed "passenger restraint system failure." The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat belt was identified on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was told by the mechanic that the failure of the seat belt system could not be repaired immediately. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING APPEARS MOSTLY WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle, and there was oil leaking from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine gasket was faulty and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the subframe of the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH BECAME AJAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND LOCKED CLOSED REAR HATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

ON FEBRUARY OF 2013 WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STARTED BY ITSELF AND SPRAYED ALL THE WASH FLUID UNTIL THE TANK DRAINED AND KEPT MAKING A LOUD NOISE (AUDIBLE FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR) EVEN AFTER I TURNED OFF THE CAR ENGINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO FAULTY JUNCTION BOX. IT TOOK THEM TWO WEEKS TO GET A NEW JUNCTION BOX & REPLACE IT. AFTER ONE YEAR, ON FEBRUARY 7 2014, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED BUT THIS TIME IT IS THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER THAT STARTED BY ITSELF, DRAINED THE WASH FLUID TANK AND KEPT MAKING A LOUD NOISE. TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER THE SAME DAY & I'M STILL WAITING FOR MY CAR TO BE FIXED. I WAS TOLD BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE JUNCTION BOX WITH X3 CARS AND YET THEY DON'T NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FAULTY JUNCTION BOX UNTIL AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURS (IT USUALLY TAKES MORE THAN A WEEK TO GET A REPLACEMENT JUNCTION BOX). IN MY OPINION THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE; FOR INSTANCE IF THE WASH FLUID TANK IS DRAINED WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN IN A BAD WEATHER DAY ( SUCH AS HEAVY SNOW) WHICH REQUIRES TO FREQUENTLY CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD, IT PREVENTS THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD AND COULD IMPAIR HIS/ HER VISION AND COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. BMW SHOULD RECALL ALL AFFECTED CARS AND REPLACE THE JUNCTION BOX BEFORE SOMEONE GET INJURED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD NOT STOP AND IT DRAINED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE PARTS SENT OUT TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE BUT THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS STILL LOOKING INTO CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 740. *TR

THERE IS A FAULTY CHIP IN THE TAIL LIGHT. THIS CAUSES A FAILURE OF THE TAIL LIGHT WITH NO ADVANCED WARNING. TYPICALLY WHEN A BULB GOES OUT THE DRIVER WILL GET A WARNING IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER. THIS FAULTY CHIP PREVENTS THE WARNING.

TAIL LIGHTS WILL FAIL WITH NO WARNING LIGHT OR MESSAGE DISPLAYED IN DASH BOARD. X3'S EQUIPPED WITH HID HEADLAMPS COME WITH FOUR LED TAIL LAMPS. IN EACH LAMP, THERE IS A CIRCUIT BOARD THAT WILL FAIL DUE TO POOR QUALITY CONTROL (THE RESISTORS AND/OR CAPACITORS WILL GET DETACHED FROM CIRCUIT BOARD) , THEREFORE, THE LAMPS WILL STOP WORKING. USUALLY, WHEN LIGHTS BURN OUT, THE DASH WARNS THE DRIVER, BUT NOT FOR THIS FAILURE. THE OWNER COULD BE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH NO TAIL LAMPS, AND IT COULD LEAD TO A REAR END COLLISION

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced at a collision center after it was rear-ended in a collision; however, after the vehicle was repaired, an abnormal sound was coming from the vehicle and a burning odor was detected while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer's mechanic was test driving the vehicle and it lost motive power. The mechanic inspected under the hood and saw that the engine had caught fire. The police and fire department were on the scene but the fire was extinguished by itself. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and then to BMW of Schererville (1400 US-41, Schererville, IN 46375) where it remained and was not repaired. BMW of Schererville diagnosed the vehicle with a starter and engine failure and informed the contact that the engine did not catch fire. The insurance company did not deem the vehicle totaled but informed the contact that it was a manufacturer's defect for the electrical wiring. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

STEERING DRIVES OFF THE ROAD TIRES BLEW. AIRBAGS RECALL

FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS, I KEEP GETTING THIS MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD: DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY. MAXIMUM DRIVETRAIN OUTPUT AVAILABLE. CONSULT SERVICE CENTER. I HAD THE TURBO, VACUUM HOSE, REPLACED LAST MONTH. NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?? PLEASE ADVISE!!

2013 BMW X3 28I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RUN FLAT TIRES, ABSENCE OF OEM APPROVED SPARE TIRES AND ABSENCE OF SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT/ MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT. *SMD

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING APPEARS MOSTLY WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT