What 105 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X3 Xdrive35i

While driving under medium acceleration, vehicle made a loud popping noise and engine power was severely reduced. Drivetrain warning light immediately appeared and said vehicle could be driven but at reduced power and needed to be serviced soon as possible. At highway speeds on a major interstate, this created several close calls being struck by traffic while trying to reach a safe area on shoulder. On site inspection revealed the plastic turbo charge pipe had blown away from the throttle body. Pieces of plastic and metal were found in engine bay and under vehicle. Vehicle was driven to nearby residence and towed to closest suitable garage for more detailed assessment and repair. Facility confirmed the Air Duct, BMW part number 13717604033 had failed. Repair made costing approximately $825 US dollars.

NHTSA ODI 11743975

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the "Service Engine Soon" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11721744

Our vehicle alerted us to over heating and to pull over immediately. Our car then stopped running. We had it towed and was told there was an issue with the water pump sensor and corrosion issues. They alerted us that there was a recall for these issues on our vehicle. We researched and found this to be true. When I contacted BMW they stated our vin number was not part of the recall but our vehicle match the exact models listed in the recall. We took it to the dealership and they repaired it for $2500 and the reason for the repair was the exact reason for the recall. Spoke with BMW again regarding this and they said if our vin was not on the recall list there was nothing they could do. I would think when your vehicle make and model matches the recall and the issues are the same you would be part of the recall no matter the vin number. I would like for this to be reviewed and see if we can get a reimbursement from bmw for the charges we paid out of pocket for an issue that should have been covered by the recall. The recall form attached is one my friend received who has the exact same car we have. The other documents are the service invoice and verification of our payment. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11706812

Engine over heating alert issued and to pull over immediately. We had car towed to bmw dealership who stated it is water pump issue. This is a known issue for this make and model but recall not in effect for our vin. We are having the same issues as stated in recall for water pumps and temperature control issues. Just because our vin number is not associated with this recall they will not repair this issue unless we pay out of pocket. This is a known issue for our make and model of car and should be a covered expense by bmw. I have attached a link to the recall issues. Please review and respond accordingly. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11692085

I received a recall notice from BMW in October 2024 for Recall 24V-608 involving a water pump electrical connector defect in my vehicle. According to the notice, this defect may cause liquid to drip onto the water pump’s electrical connector, potentially leading to a short circuit and, in rare cases, a fire. As of June 2025, nearly eight months later, there is still no remedy available. I have contacted BMW, and although they acknowledge the risk, they have not offered a loaner vehicle or any alternative despite the known fire hazard. I am concerned for my safety and do not feel comfortable continuing to drive a vehicle with a known, unresolved safety defect. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this delay is unreasonable and puts drivers at risk. The vehicle is currently operational, but the issue has not been fixed or properly addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11669515

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

A low oil pressure signal flashed after regular service and my engine died as a result. No warning just died after years of regular service

NHTSA ODI 11649418

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

On 07/06/2024, I turned on my car and hear a loud ticking noise that ticked faster or slower when I tried to accelerate or decelerate the car. I turned the car off and towed it to a AAA mechanic. They reported my engine was damaged and I’ll need a new engine. I towed it to a second mechanic for a second opinion, at Jindal-Andre Automotive/Yellow Cab and the reported engine rod bearings failure on my BMW that has only 86,880 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11605415

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ODI 11581747

Yesterday I was driving on the highway and in the fast lane, with only a break down lane off of the slow lane, the car just shut off. I was extremely lucky that I was able to coast over to the slow lane and then to the break down lane. I could have caused an accident or been hurt myself traveling at high speeds and the car just shutting off. I had the vehicle towed and was told the timing chain broke. This is a known issue and a class action lawsuit was filed against BMW and they settled outside of court. BMW has failed to admit they made a mistake when designing my vehicle and others like it that use the same engine and features. They have refused to admit this should be a recall. The timing chain is inside the engine and is very labor intensive for to be replaced or if it can be at all. There are so many BMW owners that have had this problem that it is known, the timing chain can be replaced before it breaks but once it breaks the entire engine has to be replaced. The only warning light I had was while it was happening. There was not pre-warning that I should take it to the shop and have it replaced. If there was, I would have had the work done! Now I am left with a totaled vehicle that isn't covered by insurance and BMW won't back their product and help in any way. I called BMW North America and several BMW dealerships, no one is willing to do anything. They are telling me I have too many miles on the vehicle. I brought the vehicle in to a BMW dealer (with 98k miles) for a noise and that it was shutting off. They said it was the battery. They replaced it and sent me on my way. Never mentioned the lawsuit or bad part. Now the timing belt has broken at 113k miles. BMW is supposed to be known for their longevity but they will not back their product.

NHTSA ODI 11506007

NHTSA Recall Number 21V907 It has been over a year since I received notification that there was a recall on my vehicle. I have contacted BMW for this to be repaired several times, but the local dealer always says, "We're sorry, there aren't any parts available for your recall." This recall is NOT being performed in a timely manner and based on my interpretation of the recall notice that keeps appearing in my mailbox every few months, my car may burst into flames at any moment. I'm living in fear. Please help.

NHTSA ODI 11497400

With under 90k miles on the vehicle, the car stalled on the highway. It was later diagnosed as a head gasket leak which caused coolant to leak into the combustion chamber thereby causing the vehicle to lose power. I contacted BMW North America and they did absolutely nothing to address the issue. They did have a computer related recall on the vehicle and I subsequently had it performed at one of their dealers after having to bare the expense of replacing the original engine with a used one as the cost to repair the original engine quoted me by the BMW dealership was in excess of $25,000. Yes you read it correctly the dealer gave me a repair estimate of a seven year old vehicle with nearly 90k on it of $25000. When I subsequently had a used engine installed they refused to do anything in regards to addressing the original engine stall. If your agency does nothing to protect consumers from this type of egregious activity you are of absolutely no use. This failure is catapult to negligence and the fact that the manufacturer took no action to correct its own defect is simply appalling. To have a perfectly maintained vehicle fail at highway speeds with under ninety thousand miles on it and suffer no consequence is not right. They wanted me to spend more to correct their defect than the car was worth in order for them to give me any assistance. Which is why I'm writing you this complaint today. To manufacture a luxury priced suv with as little backing as they have shown should be against the law. We ran high octane fuel at a cost disproportionate to the outcome we suffered, if you will not address this issue please direct me to whatever agency that protects consumers from substandard manufacturers. This car did not live up to the price it was listed for and they should be held to account for that fact.

NHTSA ODI 11486093

Engine light comes on and the code says: error code 24BF00 - Injector #2 "zero-quantity adaptation injector cylinder 1: permitted filtered actuation duration correction too high I found a 10yr/120k extended warranty on N47T diesel injectors https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...67976-9999.pdf but the document only lists Sedan and Wagon N47T models, the X3 with same engine is excluded. Would request to extend warranty on DIESEL FUEL INJECTORS for my car as well.

NHTSA ODI 11482708

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that the "check engine" warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11480822

When driving for more than 10 minutes I am noticing smoke coming from the near the engine compartment and strong smell of burning plastic. It smells and appears as if something will catch on fire if I don’t shut off the vehicle. A similar issue was previously reported for older models, which had led to a recall. In that recall the problem stemmed from a manufacturing defect involving the PCV valve heater, which helps recirculate waste gases within the engine. The heater could short-circuit, overheat, and catch fire. This defect is now effecting my own vehicle, which is a 2015 BMW X3.

NHTSA ODI 11468437

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DIESEL ENGINE COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE CAR HIT 40K MILES. LUCKILY IT'S UNDER WARRENTY, OVER 10K IN REPAIRS IN 2 MONTHS. NEW FILE INJECTORS, OIL PUMP, DTF FILTER, ECT.

NHTSA ODI 11099815