What 105 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X3 Xdrive28d

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the part was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11464028

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that while the family was sitting inside the vehicle with the engine idling, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with an EGR valve failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) for which the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. (RECALLRELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11461608

X3 started locking up the brakes, it seems that every time you pressed the breaks the calipers will engage and would not release them, making the vehicle completely stop or force you to accelerate to move the vehicle forward by force and get out of the moving traffic. No error codes came up at all or warning lights on the dashboard. The only way to resolve the issue was to turn the vehicle off and start again after a few minutes. The same issue occurs if you use the Auto Hold function, the vehicle will automatically engage the emergency breaks and you lose complete control of the vehicle, until the car is turned off to reset. The calipers were replaced and drained the brake fluids as a measure since no error codes were detected. Problem persisted and it got worse, making it very unsafe to continue to drive the vehicle. Fields BMW in Winter Park Florida, confirmed the problem as the DSC Hydro Unit failure, although no error codes or warnings still and shared that they had several BMW's come in with the same issue and no error codes detected. 4K for the part only and in back order in Germany for 2 months. I contacted BMW Corporate to discuss the problem. It seems BMW Corporate is aware of the issues with the Hydro unit in some models, but not on my model, it seems to me that this is not only a major BMW design failure but a safety problem with the vehicle I believe needs to be addressed by the company.

NHTSA ODI 11460499

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the #3 fuel injector was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but approximately 3 weeks later the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was returned to the dealer who diagnosed that the #4 injector was faulty. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 58,451. Consumer's vehicle is not listed on the 10year/120k extended warranty, the document list error codes (ODB2) that indicate the injector should be replaced under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11458608

Sunroof exploded and shattered while driving down the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11456956

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that the check engine and coolant warning lights were illuminated. 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 and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11452525

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Coolant Level Low" warning message was displayed. The contact had to refill the coolant four times within four months. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer performed an air pressure test and informed the contact that there was no coolant leak found. The dealer filled the coolant reservoir; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11451193

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 ODI 11448707

Since tires installed on 9/2021, I have been having a worsening vibration noise. I took it to the installer who checked the balance of the wheels and tires and said there were no issues. The vibration continued. I took the car to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle. He said it's either the wheel bearings or the tires. The wheel bearings were replaced and I continued to have issues. The mechanic stated that when the vehicle was lifted and they ran the tires, the tires "wobbled". The independent mechanic felt strongly that the tires are defective and recommended returning to the installer for inspection and to correct this.

NHTSA ODI 11444548

I bought 4 new tires. They were balanced at Sam's Club when I purchased them. Then i went to get the alignment done the next day and they said my tie-rods were shot. Just the front...not the back. I have not had an accident or incident yet but I am concerned. My car has 83,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11439622

Vehicle suffers from engine 'miss' at cold start / idle, surges / lunges with minor throttle input after driving at lower speeds and accelerating. Has been into dealer for diagnostic and is under 'Extended Warranty' on Diesel High Pressure Fuel Pump. Have had two injectors fail and replaced, boost sensor and pipe, EGR Cooler and intake manifold replaced. NHTSA posted a voluntary recall by BMW on this series of diesel powered X3 for high pressure pump replacement (21V-586) in August 2021. Owners were to be notified by mail in September 2021. Still have not been notified and checking status shows no open recalls. If pump is failing, it would be sending metal into the injectors and fuel piping. Have contacted BWMUSA once again to check status of recall.

NHTSA ODI 11437668

Earlier this year I was notified by BMW that as of Feb 2022 my car would lose all networking capability due to the phase out of 3G cell towers. The "ConnectedDrive" package would become inoperative, and importantly, would no longer be able to route my travel according to traffic. My heads-up display is currently very well integrated with the navigation system, adaptive cruise control, and safety warning systems. I consider these important safety features. BMW has offered no fix for this. I have suggested to them that simply permitting the driver to tether the navigation (by USB or bluetooth) to a cell phone would solve the problem, but they have refused. The nav system and the BMW cell phone app both prevent tethering, which otherwise is built into the BMW's Windows CE-based operating environment. I don't want to navigate using my phone, as it would be a 3rd display (the one in the dash, the HUD, and the phone). I think one driver with 3 screens would be a safety hazard. Can you help get them to permit tethering to my cell phone once the 3G towers are gone?

NHTSA ODI 11431653

I am filing to write about the timing chain system that's used on the specific engine model the BMW N20. There is a flaw in the design of the system where the plastic timing chain guides break apart and make its way into the engine causing a catastrophic failure to the engine. This happens randomly and without warning. There is nothing the owner can do to prevent it from happening. It's just a matter of time before it happens. There has since been a settlement: Gelis, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, et al. This reimburses ones that have gone to repair the issue after failure. However, the results of this settlement does not help those who have yet to experience engine failure. As the owner of this vehicle, I am always with anxiety every time I drive the car, not knowing if today will be the day the engine blows up. BMW leaves us with a flawed engine that they now well about but won't issue a recall to fix the problem. It could happen to anybody driving the car where it will fail without warning at any time. I believe this is a safety hazard and an recall should be issued ASAP.

NHTSA ODI 11429830

I HAVE A DIESEL THAT THE SCR TANK THAT HOLDS THE DIESEL EMISSION FLUID HAS A FAULTY LEVEL SENSOR P203E ERROR CODE. A. CHECK ENGINE IIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. BMW HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 10 YR/120,000 MILES. SEVERAL OF THE DIESEL BMW HAVE THIS TANK ASPART OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NOT MINE. LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11416336

MY 2015 BMW X3 HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT AND THE DRIVER DOOR CLOSURE PULL IS DETERIORATING TO A STICKY UNTOUCHABLE MESS. ALSO THE FRONT GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR LEATHER IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE BOX LEAVING AN OPEN GAP. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH BMW OWNERS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY BMW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT TO AVOID HEAT OR SUN DAMAGE. WHEN I CONTACTED MY BMW DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD RESULT IN 800-1000 REPAIR COST. THE LEATHER INTERIOR IS NOT THE QUALITY I EXPECTED FROM A 48,000 VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11377151

DRIVERS FRONT SEAT ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT DEPLOYED. FAULT CODE 930958 STORED. GENERATOR FOR ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS IN GARAGE, WHEN STARTED THE ERROR WAS DISPLAYED AND IS DISPLAYED EVER TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THIS EXACT PART WAS RECALLED ON MY 2013 328I AUTO. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED ON THE 2015 X3 AS IT IS THE SAME PART AND IS DEFECTIVE. THANKS

NHTSA ODI 11364517

CAR UNDER RECALL FOR EGR COOLER. EGR COOLER LEAKED ON 1/25/19 - NO REMEDY FOR RECALL. INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS NOT REPLACED BY DEALER. DROVE CAR FOR ONE YEAR WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK. REMEDY FOR RECALL AVAILABLE 10/2019- NOT NOTIFIED. NOW CAR AS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE RELATED TO RECALL WITH THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM INCLUDING NOX SENSORS, PARTICULATE FILTER AND CATALYST. DROVE CAR FOR ONE YEAR WITH KNOWN DAMAGE RELATED TO EGR COOLANT LEAK.

NHTSA ODI 11300076

I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 BMW X3 DIESEL ON ROUTE 2 WEST NEAR ROUTE 128 NORTH ENTRANCE, I LOST POWER AND "POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION" WARNING ALERT CAME ON DISPLAY DASHBOARD, I WAS ABLE TO BARELY COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE OF ROUTE 2 WEST. AFTER PULLING OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE IT STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND WITH FEW MINUTES FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LESS THAN 10 MINUTES VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN THE FIRE. ON OCTOBER 11TH OF 2019, I HAVE MY 2015 BMW X3 BROUGHT TO WAGNER BWM OF SHREWSBURY MA TO PERFORM THE OPEN RECALL FOR EGR COOLER WHICH WAS NOTIFIED BY BMW MANUFACTURER. DEALER PERFORM THE INSPECTION FOR SIGNS OF CONTAMINATION OR CORROSION AND PERFORM COUPLE OF OTHER TEST, BUT DID NOT FOUND THE ISSUE AT THAT TIME, HENCE THERE WERE NO REPAIR WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE OPEN RECALL. BWM MANUFACTURES SHOULD HAVE REQUIRED ALL EFFECTED VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED INSTEAD OF JUST LETTING DEALER INSPECTION THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY, BWM MANUFACTURE STATES THAT EGR MODULE COULD DEVELOP A COOLING-FLUID LEAK. HEATED COOLANT COULD MIX WITH DIESEL ENGINE SOOT AND MELT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THAT COULD LEAD TO FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11297244

I OWN A 2015 BMW X3 THAT WAS ON A RECALL ISSUED OCTOBER 2018.THE RECALL DEALT WITH FAULTY EMISSIONS PARTS.IN JANUARY 2019, I WENT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND ASKED ABOUT HET RECALL; PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE..OCTOBER, 2019, I RECEIVED A SECOND NOTICE FROM BMW ABOUT THE RECALL.I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE AT OWINGS MILLS. THE MGR ADVISED ME THAT MY CAR WOULD NEED TO BE LEFT OVERNIGHT FOR TESTING. OCTOBER 11,I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAR NEED SERVICING.HOWEVER, THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER 2019. AAKED WHY SO LONG TO GET PARTS THAT I RECEIVED A 2ND LETTER, TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. BMW DID NOT ANTICIPATE SO MANY CARS WOULD NEED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. I WANTED TO TAKE MY CAR AND BRING IT BACK WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVE. THE MGR EXPLAINED CAR COULD POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE; SMALL HOT PARTICLES WERE BEING EMITTED INTO THE ENGINE THAT COULD IGNITE A FIRE. NOVEMBER 26TH MGR CALLED ,CAR WAS FIXED. I COULD COME GET IT. I DROVE CAR OFF THE SERVICE PARKING LOT ABOUT 7 MILES; THE 'CHECK ENGINE' INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.RETURNED THE CAR BACK FOR SERVICE AGAIN.MGR CALLED THE FOLLOWING DAY AND ADVISED THE EMISSIONS FILTER IS CLOGGED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT ;$4168. I WAS FLABBERGASTED. ASKED, IF NOT HAVING THE RECALL FIXED FOR ALMOST A YEAR COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAULTY FILTER.I NEEDED THIS ISSUE INVESTIGATED. WROTE BMW CORPORATE. BMW NA CONTACTED ME. SHE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING BMW COULD OR WOULD DO FOR ME. I QUESTIONED WHETHER THE FACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MY CAR FOR SO LONG AND I CONTINUED TO DRIVE A CAR THAT WAS EMITTING PARTICLES TO THE ENGINE, THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE, WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A CLOGGED FILTER.SHE SAID SHE WAS NOT TECHNICAL AND DIDN'T KNOW. THAT WAS UNSETTLING TO ME BECAUSE THAT WAS THE REASON, I WROTE BMW IN THE FIRST PLACE.SHE JUST KEPT REPEATING THERE WAS NOTING THAT COULD BE DONE. RESOLUTION IS FIX CAR AT NO COST TO ME.

NHTSA ODI 11292485

I WAS ABOUT TO PARK IN A PARKING LOT, DRIVING SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY BETWEEN TWO PARKED CARS. AS I VERY GENTLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP, THE CAR JOLTED INTENSELY AND DID NOT STOP. I THEN PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A VERY FAST SPEED. I DROVE THROUGH SOME LARGE PLANTS AND WENT OVER A SIDE WALK AND MADE A SHARP TURN TO AVOID A LARGE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME. I THEN DROVE THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, MANEUVERING AROUND PARKED CARS, BUILDINGS AND OTHER OBJECTS WHILE THE CAR WAS SPEEDING UP. MY EFFORTS TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN FAILED EVEN AFTER APPLYING AUXILIARY BRAKE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS OR MOVING CARS WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING! FINALLY I ENDED UP DRIVING UP A HILL, HOPING THAT THE ELEVATION WOULD STOP THE CAR. INSTEAD DUE TO HIGH SPEED, THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED UP ABOUT 7 FEET IN THE AIR, HIT A LARGE TREE AND FELL IN THE GROUND WITH MUCH FORCE. I HAVE SOME INJURIES AS A RESULT AND CURRENTLY RECEIVING MEDICAL SUPPORT, HOPING THAT I WILL NOT HAVE PERMANENT HEALTH ISSUES, WHICH I VERY MUCH DOUBT! MY CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND WAS TOTALED. IT IS CLEAR AND EVIDENT THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF TECHNICAL MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSED THE BRAKE FAILURE AND ACCELERATION. I CONTACTED BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AND ALSO WHERE I HAD THE CAR SERVICED ONE MONTH EARLIER! THEY SAID I MUST PAY FOR THE CAR TO BE DELIVERED TO THEIR FACILITY IN ORDER FOR THEM TO EXAMINE THE CAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE. I REFUSED TO PAY THE HIGH PRICE. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER FORTY YEARS AND I CONSIDER MYSELF A VERY CAPABLE DRIVER. I SHOULD ALSO ADD THAT ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE AT LEAST A DOZEN SIMILAR REPORTED CASES OF THIS MODEL. OBVIOUSLY, BMW HAS NEGLECTED TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. THEY SHOULD INVESTIGATE THEIR X3 MODELS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES!

NHTSA ODI 11289168

EGR COOLER FAILED AT 70,000 +/- MILES. WASN'T LEAKING COOLANT INSIDE, BUT WAS LEAKING EXHAUST GASSES INTO CABIN AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN. BMW COULD NOT PROVIDE NEW UPDATED PART, BUT CHARGED US FOR 'NEW / OLD STYLE UNIT' FOR ABOUT $2600. TRIED TO WORK ISSUE OUT WITH BMW CORP ON EMISSION WARRANTY, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. VEHICLE STILL HAS UNSATISFIED RECALL ON IT FOR EGR COOLER. VEHICLE ALSO IS NOT ISSUING A 'DEF' NOTIFICATION. I HAVE BEEN IN THIS INDUSTRY FOR 44 YEARS AND KNOW THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CALLING FOR DEF. I HAVE DEALT WITH THIS IN FORD, PETERBILT AND KENWORTH VEHICLES AND BMW'S SYSTEM IS NOT REPORTING.

NHTSA ODI 11288791

IT WAS IN THE MORNING ON 11/8/2019, I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT (LOCATED IN HIGHWAY 85 & CAMDEN AVE, SAN JOSE, CA) TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY THEN TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE BUT JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AT GREAT SPEED, LEAPT OVER A CONCRETE CURB DESIGNED TO STOP A VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE CROSS-LINK FENCE 6 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE WHOLE INCIDENT WAS OVER IN 2 - 3 SECONDS. THANKFULLY THERE WEREN'T CARS COMING ON THE HIGHWAY NEXT TO THE FENCE. I WAS TERRIFIED ABOUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED. VERY SCARY. I FOUND OTHER DRIVERS COMPLAINING THE SAME ONLINE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD PUTTING MY LIFE AND OTHERS AT RISK. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR.I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AT 800-831-1117 AND REPORTED THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11279437

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, "AIR BAG OFF" ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11242290

SUFFERED FROM HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT HAD A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. WHEN TAKE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS IT WAS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION. ALSO FOR SOME REASON THE FUEL PUMP THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE CAR HAD A CONNECTION BIGGER THAN THE REPLACEMENT PART DATABASE. THE CONNECTORS PLUG SIZE WAS FOR AN 8 CYLINDER VEHICLE AND THE CAR IS ONLY A 4 CYLINDER. THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND DUE TO DIFFERENCE IN SIZE OF CONNECTION PLUG. ALSO BMW IS SELLING THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR $1300 RIDICULOUS. JUST THE PUMP ITSELF.

NHTSA ODI 11231597

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 ODI 11221348