RoadVitals

2015 BMW X3 Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Jan 5, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 105 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2015 BMW X3 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 5, 2025

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)

NHTSA ID
11634214
Incident
Dec 23, 2024
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 4, 2023
Crash reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11515345
Incident
May 25, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 13, 2022

Drivetrain malfunction light due to bad EGR valve, which is causing car to run rough. Currently there is safety recall out for the EGR cooler. BMW of Bloomfield diagnosed and recommended EGR valve replacement but cost was excessive at over $1,100. Another BMW specialist (G&T in Jersey City) recommended replacement of EGR valve and cooler due to potential hazardous conditions described in safety recall but said I shouldn't have to pay due to safety recall. So I called BMW dealers in Bloomfield and Springfield both say the "remedy is not available". So am I just supposed to drive the car until it catches fire? This seems reckless so my other option is to pay the mechanics to replace the system that is already subject to a recall.

NHTSA ID
11489108
Incident
Oct 13, 2022
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that the check engine warning lights was illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was slipping. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the transfer pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the EGR valve was replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11448707
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 19, 2019

I RECENTLY SUBMITTED COMPLAINT 11219776. I DIDN'T HAVE VIN INFO. NOW I DO AND INCLUDED IN THIS COMPLAINT SO CONSIDER DELETING 11219776. HOWEVER. THE DETAILS ARE SAME. AT STOPPED POSITION IN DRIVE SELECTION, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO PARK. DOESN'T HAPPEN IN SPORT MODE NOR VERY FREQUENTLY IN STANDARD DRIVE. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE OF THE CAR SHIFTING ON OWN DUE TO A UNKNOWN PROBLEM IS A SAFETY CONCERN. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM IRVINE CA BMW. CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT A FEW TIMES AT ENCINITAS BMW WITH NO ROOT CAUSE IDENTIFIED.

NHTSA ID
11221348
Incident
Jun 19, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 25, 2018
Fire reported

BMW DIESEL RECALL - WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED TO INDICATE ANYTHING WAS WRONG. THE CAR LOST POWER AT 72 MPH AND MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11142552
Incident
Oct 21, 2018
Mileage
76,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 23, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVETRAIN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BMW OF TENAFLY, 301 COUNTY RD, TENAFLY, NJ 07670) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVETRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ID
11089601
Incident
Apr 20, 2018
Mileage
113,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 12, 2016

WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP ON CITY STREET, UNCOMMANDED ENGINE ACCELERATION OCCURS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BRAKE TO A STOP. ADDITIONALLY, TRANSMISSION HAS SELF-SELECTED "SPORT MODE" IN THE COURSE OF DRIVING AND HAS, WHILE IDLING IN DRIVE, SELF-SELECTED "PARK" MODE.

NHTSA ID
10825799
Incident
Feb 12, 2016
Mileage
16,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 23, 2016

UNCOMMANDED ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP: WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP AT A STOPLIGHT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGED VIOLENTLY. I HAD TO APPLY FULL BRAKING PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, FIGHTING AGAINST THE POWER OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE TOOK MUCH LONGER THAN USUAL TO STOP.

NHTSA ID
10821882
Incident
Jan 22, 2016
Mileage
15,700 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

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