What 105 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X3 Xdrive35i

Vehicle was idle in the driveway next to my home and had not been driven since the night before. That morning, I started to smell what I thought was an electronic overheat of some sort in the house. When I inspected outside, the entire front end of the vehicle was on fire and the fire department needed to respond. The fire spread rapidly along the side of my home causing significant damage to my property as well as my neighbor's property. Our safety was put at risk because this fire could have occurred overnight while my wife, children and I were sleeping since the vehicle was not being operated at the time the fire happened. Representatives from my insurance company removed the vehicle and had it inspected at their facility, where they determined the vehicle to be a total loss as the entire front half of the car burned. Further, I did not receive notice of the known recall on my vehicle (with no know remedy as yet) which could be the cause of the fire, until a week after the incident occurred in October.

NHTSA ODI 11656361

The vehicle was driven 30 miles and parked at 9am weather was in the 30s-40s F. There were no check engine light, warning lights or abnormal readings on the gauges during the commute. At approximately noon, the vehicles was started and idled for approximately 20 min, it was not driven or moved from the parking spot, the car did not reach full operating temp. Smoke with a burnt plastic and electrical odor was noted emanating from under the hood while parked idling. The car was immediately shut off and exited. The driver went inside to get help. After returning to the vehicle in approximately 5minutes it was fully engulfed in flames. The fire department came to put out the fire. The vehicle is a total loss. The fire damaged adjoining vehicles and the property where it was parked. The vehicle was towed back to my residence where it remains for evidence. Upon review of BMW recall 24v-608 i performed an inspection of the water pump electrical connection plug and identified there is evidence of an electrical short on the plug which appears to have burnt through the connector prior to the major engine compartment fire. I have contacted BMW to file a complain and have followed up multiple times with the point of contact identified to me by BMW, but have been unsuccessful to date to establish communications with the BMW representative.

NHTSA ODI 11636209

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 ODI 11515345

The contact owned a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated while her husband was driving at 65 MPH with her in the front passenger seat, the vehicle stalled. A message indicating a power train malfunction was displayed. The contact's husband was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact noticed dark smoke coming through the AC vents. The contact stated upon opening the hood, her husband saw fire. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. However, the engine compartment and the front passenger's side end of the vehicle had melted. A fire department was filed. There was no police report filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was totaled. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

NHTSA ODI 11486724

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

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 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

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

BMW WAS REAR-ENDED WHEN VEHICLES WERE SLOWING DOWN AT SIGNAL. THE IMPACT FORCED MY CAR TO IT THE VEHICLE AT FRONT. BMW HAD GOOD IMPACT BOTH AT REAR AND FRONT PORTION. THE FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY FOR THE FORCE OF IMPACT MY VEHICLE HAD.

NHTSA ODI 11190602

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 ODI 11142552

ON MARCH 4, 2018, WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION IN BOCA RATON, FL, ALL OF SUDDEN, NO WARNING, MY BMW X3 STARTED TO SMELL OF SMOKE, THEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I HAD TO BARELY MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LEAVE IT AT AN ENTRANCE OF A PLAZA, WHICH THEN BEGAN TO SMOKE OVERWHELMINGLY. ONCE I MADE IT OUT OF THE CAR, THE FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE HOOD AND THE CAR BECAME FULLY ENGULFED WITHIN SECONDS.

NHTSA ODI 11076341

AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY IN HIGH-IMPACT FRONT END CRASH. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI 10875452

PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PARK, THE CAR KEPT LUNGING FORWARD WITH A REVING SOUND, NOT CONSTANT BUT PULSE SATING UNTIL THE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE WALL. THE AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF. I WENT ONLINE LATER TO FIND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED BMW AND A REP. STATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN" MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN BMW FAULT." SHE SENT A BMW ENGINEER OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE HE FINALLY INSPECTED IT 3 WEEKS LATER. THREE WEEKS LATER I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM ABOUT THE RESULTS. THERE IS OVER $9,000.00 IN DAMAGES.

NHTSA ODI 10778094

I WAS TURNING OFF A RESIDENTIAL STREET INTO THE PARKING LOT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SWIMMING POOL. THE PARKING SPOT WAS STRAIGHT AHEAD (A VERY SHORT DISTANCE). I WAS TRAVELING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR NO MATTER HOW HARD I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. I HIT A BRICK WALL WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. IT ALL HAPPENED SO QUICKLY IN SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE. I WAS IN SHOCK AND AMAZED AT THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THE BRICK WALL. I BELIEVE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT. I HAVE NOTIFIED MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THERE ARE OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS REPORTED ON THE NHTSA SITE INVOLVING THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS MY CAR. *TR UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10732390

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.

NHTSA ODI 10671324