2013 BMW X3 engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V608000Aug 13, 2024720,796 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

  BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

  Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners say

1. Filed May 12, 2026106,000 miMITowedElectrical SystemEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11737264 · source
2. Filed Jan 4, 2026ILEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11708687 · source
3. Filed Dec 8, 2025100,000 miNYTowedElectrical SystemEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11703764 · source
4. Filed Dec 3, 2025MDEngine

   While driving my 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i under normal conditions, a “drivetrain malfunction” warning suddenly appeared, immediately followed by a “low oil pressure” warning. Within seconds, the engine lost all power and shut off completely while the vehicle was in motion. I had to coast and steer the car off the roadway and push it to safety with the help of others. My safety and the safety of other drivers were at risk due to the sudden and complete loss of propulsion in…

   NHTSA complaint #11702773 · source
5. Filed Oct 7, 2025AREngine

   I own a 2013 BMW X3 equipped with the N20 engine. After approximately 17 months of ownership and only around 11,000 miles of normal driving, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete engine failure without warning. The independent diagnostic determined the failure was due to a timing chain and oil pump drive chain defect, which is a well-documented issue in BMW N20 engines. This defect has been acknowledged by BMW through Technical Service Bulletin SI B11 03 17 and the…

   NHTSA complaint #11691873 · source
6. Filed Sep 15, 2025160,000 miARFire1 injuredElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, smoke was noticed leaking from under the hood. The contact stated that after she opened the hood, the vehicle caught on fire. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that she and a neighbor had extinguished the fire utilizing a fire extinguisher. No police report was filed. The fire department did not arrive on scene. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11687293 · source
7. Filed Jul 25, 2025134,000 miNYBody & StructureEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11676142 · source
8. Filed Jun 23, 2025116,262 miCATowedElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that the owner received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that while her mother was driving 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked, with an abnormal sound coming from the engine before the engine seized. The message "Service Engine" was displayed. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart; however, an abnormal…

   NHTSA complaint #11668742 · source
9. Filed Jun 3, 2025114,000 miNYElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that for the past several months the vehicle needed several attempts before the vehicle started.…

   NHTSA complaint #11664527 · source
10. Filed May 14, 2025RIEngine

    Purchased a used bmw x3 2013 about 2 years ago in may of 2023 since the beginning it was smoking and almost caught fire. I did open a case with the dealers commission / dmv to go after the mom and pop seller. But it was unfounded thankfully. It was at the dmv facility for a few months. Once it was unfounded in January of 2024 we immediately had it towed from the dmv inspections to bmw in Warwick . Where we were at first told it was a $5000 fix ( book value was only $9000…

    NHTSA complaint #11660929 · source
11. Filed May 6, 2025NJEngine

    Engine stalling and would not restart immediately while in traffic. I was able to get to side of road and restart engine after a few minutes. NHTSA campaign number: 23V707 should have covered the repair/replacement of vanos bolts. BMW is not authorizing the repair under the recall by excluding my VIN number form their voluntary recall.

    NHTSA complaint #11659352 · source
12. Filed Mar 28, 2025102,000 miCAElectrical SystemEngine

    The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started to…

    NHTSA complaint #11651350 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology