EN

2012 BMW X3 Xdrive35I SUV AWD

2
Recalls
39
Complaints

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Complaints
Recalls

39 Complaints

for 2012 BMW X3 XDRIVE35I
07/29/2021
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 02/04/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5uxwx5c55cl******
Summary

As I drive and stop, my brakes stick, when I try to accelerate it struggles to go. On the highway it began slowing me down. I was scared it was going to get me rear ended because my brake lights do not come on when this happens. I brought it to my garage and they diagnosed it to be the DSC pump. They put in a used pump and fixed the issue. Please take this seriously, it is a dangerous problem.

12/21/2020
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/18/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C55CL******
Summary

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT INJURED AND THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT HOME, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING UNIT LATER RESET ITSELF AFTER THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.

12/17/2020
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/01/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C52CL******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG AND CHASSIS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ABOUT AN AIR BAG REPLACEMENT AND WAS PROVIDED A PRINT OUT OF RECALLS. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

08/19/2020
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 08/18/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C51CL******
Summary

ENGINE FAILURE AT 70155 MILES. CONNECTING ROD BEARING IS SPUN.

07/07/2020
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 03/04/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX7C54CL******
Summary

SITUATION WHEN STARTING A COLD ENGINE, A 'PLUME OF BLUE SMOKE' CAN BE SEEN EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST TAILPIPE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10-20 SECONDS. THERE IS NO ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED (NO' TURBOCHARGER BOOST FAULTS ARE STORED) AND NO DRIVABILITY ISSUES ARE DETECTED. CAUSE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OVERNIGHT THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WILL EQUALIZE, THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK PAST THE TURBOCHARGER 'EXHAUST SIDE' TURBINE SEAL DUE TO CARBONIZATION OF THE TURBOCHARGER SEALING RING. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE IMPACTING BMW N20 ENGINES THAT BMW HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND EXTENDED WARRANTY 10 YEARS/ 100,000 MILES. THE N55 ENGINE (6 CYLINDER, TURBO) HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY ALTHOUGH DEFECT IS THE SAME AND MAY IMPACT EMISSIONS.

06/27/2020
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/10/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C51CL******
Summary

RESTRAINT SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTION. GETTING MALFUNCTION NOTIFICATION AFTER VEHICLE START MOVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT'S STATIONARY. SOME TIME MESSAGE ON DISPLAY SAYS 'PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM' AND SOMETIMES ADDITIONALLY TO PASSENGER, 'DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM' COMES UP. WHEN CHECK WITH DEALER AND AFTER PAYING FOR DIAGNOSTIC, VERDICT WAS THAT MAIN AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE MUST BE REPLACE BECAUSE AT THE TIME WHEN MALFUNCTION MESSAGE IS DISPLACED, ALL AIRBAGS ARE TURN OFF AND IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING ACCIDENT THERE WILL BE NO ACTIVE SAFETY FUTURE (AIRBAGS) WHICH WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF BAD INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

05/17/2020
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 05/17/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C52CL******
Summary

MY FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WILL INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTION. AT TIMES, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL TURN OFF, EVEN WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DURING AND ACCIDENT, WITH DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG THERE IS INCREASED THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

05/10/2020
Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/25/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C56CL******
Summary

2012 X3 F25 ENGINE - VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF FUEL WHEN GAS GAUGE IS BETWEEN 1/2 AND 3/4. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWS OBC TEST OF LEFT TANK SENSOR WITH A STATIC READING @97 OHMS AND 42.2 L OF FUEL (AKA "TANK = FULL") WHEN IN FACT THE LEFT SIDE TANK IS COMPLETELY VOID OF FUEL. THIS SITUATION IS UNSAFE AND COULD CAUSE AN UNEXPECTED STALLED VEHICLE @ HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

12/04/2019
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 12/04/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C51CL******
Summary

DECEMBER 4TH AT APPROXIMATELY 6:45 AM, TEMP IN THE 30'S, CLEAR DAY. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 65-70 MPH, NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME OR BEHIND AND I HEAR A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUNDING LIKE A GUNSHOT. I DO NOT SEE ANY DEBRIS IN THE ROAD. I DID NOT PASS UNDER ANY BRIDGES. I EXIT HIGHWAY ASAP AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR TO FIND THE SUNROOF SHATTERED WITH A LARGE AREA OF GLASS MISSING (THE SHADE INSIDE WAS CLOSED SO NO GLASS HAD COME IN THE CAR).

08/14/2019
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/09/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C52CL******
Summary

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND STOPS.THE ENGINE DOES NOT STOP. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING ADJUSTMENT LOOSEN AND THE BOLTS MAY BREAK. THE DEALER LISTED 5 THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $4000. NONE WERE RELATED TO THE ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING ON A 5 LANE ROAD THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. WHEN I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR, IT MOVED AGAIN. RECALL NUMBER 14V176000. DATE 04/10/14. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE.

04/24/2019
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 04/01/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C53CL******
Summary

I AM RECEIVING A "PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION" WARNING. THIS MEANS THAT IF I HAVE ANY PASSENGERS IN MY CAR AND AN ACCIDENT OCCUR THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY ON THAT SIDE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW 10 YEAR WARRANTY.

04/08/2019
Components: WHEELS
Incident Date: 05/21/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C57CL******
Summary

THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT AS AN INTERMITTENT 'TPMS MALFUNCTION WARNING'. FIRST TRIP TO BMW SERVICE CENTER I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. INTERMITTENT TPMS WARNINGS CONTINUED. SECOND VISIT TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER RESULTED IN ONE TPM SENSOR BEING REPLACED. UNFORTUNATELY THE INTERMITTENT TPMS MALFUNCTION WARNINGS CONTINUED TO OCCUR EVERY SO OFTEN. DURING THE PAST YEAR THE MALFUNCTION WARNINGS OCCURRED WITH EVER INCREASING FREQUENCY UNTIL THE TPMS MALFUNCTION BECAME PERMANENT. AT MY LATEST VISIT TO MY BMW SERVICE CENTER I WAS TOLD THE TPMS CONTROLLER MODULE WAS BAD (RDC MODULE). I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $850 TO REPLACE. A COWORKER WITH A 2012 BMW X3 HAD THE SAME INTERMITTENT TPMS MALFUNCTION WARNING AND WAS ALSO TOLD IT WAS THE RDC MODULE. I THEN SEARCHED THE ONLINE BMW OWNER FORUMS AND FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE COMMON. OTHERS WITH ISSUE WENT AS FAR AS CUTTING OPEN THEIR RDC MODULE. INSIDE THEY FOUND CORROSION WHERE THE CONNECTOR PINS ENTER THE MODULE AND ARE SOLDERED TO THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. I DECIDED TO DO THE SAME AND I AS WELL FOUND CORROSION INSIDE. THE CORROSION PROGRESSED TO THE POINT THAT TWO OF THE FOUR PINS MEASURED AS OPENS ON AN OHM METER. THIS CORROSION DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. IT OBVIOUSLY STARTED BEFORE THE FIRST TIME I RECEIVED AN INTERMITTENT TPMS MALFUNCTION WARNING. IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN TPMS IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RUN FLAT TIRES AS A SAFETY FEATURE. I WOULD ALSO SAY THE CORROSION IS DUE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.

12/06/2018
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 12/01/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C5XCL******
Summary

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE. CAR CANNOT PROPERLY TELL IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. UNKNOWN IF AIRBAGS WOULD PROPERLY DEPLOY IN A CRASH. SENSOR IS INTERMITTENT AND DEPLOYS WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY, MOST TYPICALLY WHEN NO-ONE IN PASSENGER SEAT.

09/12/2018
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 08/01/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C55CL******
Summary

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION BUCKS AND JERKS, SEARCHING AROUND FOR THE RIGHT GEAR. AFTER GOOGLING THIS, IT IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM THAT COSTS THOUSANDS TO FIX. WE'VE ALREADY SPENT APPROXIMATELY $1,500 ON IT, AND IT'S STILL HASN'T GONE AWAY. NEXT WOULD BE THE TRANSFER UNIT, WHICH IS UPWARDS OF $5,000. THE CAR ONLY HAS 46,000 MILES ON IT. THE LACK OF ACCELERATION IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF DANGER, MERGE SAFELY INTO TRAFFIC, ETC. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED.

08/17/2018
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 08/12/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXW7C57CL7******
Summary

I WAS DRIVING 60 MILES AN HOUR ON A HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE IN MY 2012 BMW X3 35I SEIZED AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I HAD TO GLIDE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE BMW DEALER (LAUREL BMW WESTMONT) THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE WHICH WOULD COST $22K. BMW USA OFFERED TO PAY 60% OF THE COST AND WOULD NOT DISCUSS THE SAFETY ISSUES. THE CAR HAS 59.5K MILES AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED.

08/06/2018
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 03/02/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C56CL******
Summary

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION MESSAGE DUE TO BAD SEAT PAD SENSOR WHICH TURNED OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INCASE OF AN ACCIDENT.

07/24/2018
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/11/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C58CL******
Summary

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES IN WARM WEATHER, THE STEERING FEELS "STICKY" AND IS HARD TO KEEP IN THE LANE. IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU ARE FIGHTING TO MAKE THE SMALL CORRECTIONS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE CAR FROM DRIFTING OUTSIDE THE LANE, AND THAT THE STEERING IS "LOCKED" INTO POSITION. IT MAKES DRIVING THE CAR FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD ON THE HIGHWAY UNBEARABLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN ONLINE BMW FORUMS BY MULTIPLE OTHER BMW X3 OWNERS. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP CAN IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSES THE ISSUE, NOR HOW TO FIX IT. A NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN TRIED: NEW BATTERY, NEW STEERING MODULE SOFTWARE, A REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFT, AND AN ALIGNMENT. NONE HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO BMW USA.

07/04/2018
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/04/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C51CL******
Summary

STEERING IS STICKY AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY IN WARMER WEATHER.

05/07/2018
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 05/07/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C51CL******
Summary

BOLTS HOLDING THE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING VANOS HOUSING ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND BMW NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A RECALL IN 2014 FOR 156000 VEHICLES. HOWEVER, I HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND BMW SAYS I MUST PAY ALMOST $4,000.00 BECAUSE IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL...EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM.

03/26/2018
Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Incident Date: 03/12/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLT HOUSING FOR THE CAM SHAFT DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

02/08/2018
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Incident Date: 02/08/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C51CL******
Summary

I WAS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE HESITATING AND JERKING, AND GENERALLY NOT OPERATING AS EXPECTED. I TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED AS I WAS CONCERNED FOR OPERATING IT SAFELY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT REQUIRES A SOFTWARE PATCH, AS THEIR IS A CODE ERROR, BUT THEY WILL ONLY FIX IT IF I PAY FOR THE PATCH. I TOLD THEM THAT IF IT IS A PATCH THAT SEEMS LIKE A RECALL - SOFTWARE IS NOT HARDWARE, SOFTWARE DOES NOT JUST STOP WORKING IF IT IS GOOD TO BEGIN WITH. IF WE ALLOW CAR DEALERS TO MAKE US PAY FOR PATCHES WHEN THEY MESS UP SOFTWARE WE WILL ALL BE PAYING HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THEIR CODING ERRORS GOING FORWARD AS THE TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO INNOVATE. I AM ALL FOR INNOVATION, BUT I SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR THEIR CODING ERROR. MY CAR WORKED A FEW MONTHS AGO, I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE UNDER WARRANTY FOR A DIFFERENT ISSUE, THEY DID WORK TO THE ONBOARD SOFTWARE THAT LIKELY CAUSED THIS ISSUE, AND NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY HAVE DECIDED THAT IS MY PROBLEM TO FIX WHAT THEY BROKE. THIS IS A PRECEDENT THAT I DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD ALLOW AUTO MAKERS TO SET. A CAR IS NOT A PC THAT WE REPLACE IN 4 YEARS - IT COST EXPONENTIALLY MORE. WHEN MICROSOFT REQUIRES US TO UPGRADE OR THEY WILL NOT PATCH ANYMORE IT IS ON A PC THAT COST $1-2K AT MAX, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A MUCH LARGER INVESTMENT AND BMW SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO JUST STOP FIXING THEIR CODE AND CHARGING CONSUMERS FOR ERRORS THAT ARE POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERNS. I DO NOT CARE IF THE CODE IS ORIGINAL OR INSTALLED AT MY LAST SERVICE VISIT. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. I WOULD FEEL DIFFERENT IF I HAD SOME CUSTOM MODIFICATION, THEN I THINK THEY COULD BLAME ME FOR HACKING IT, BUT I DID NOT DO SO, THEREFORE I SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED.

12/04/2017
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 05/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C52CL******
Summary

JUST CAME ACROSS THIS ARTICLE! I THINK I KNOW WHY THEY R BURSTING INTO FLAMES! I DRIVE A BMW 2012 X3. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE FOR WORK & MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR TO PUT MY PURSE & LUNCH TOTE ON SEAT & THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE SWIRLING FROM MY IPHONE CAR CHARGER THAT WAS PLUGGED INTO MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER. I IMMEDIATELY UNPLUGGED IT & IT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. HAD IT STARTED DURING THE NIGHT MY CAR & CONDO WOULD HAVE BEEN TORCHED! I DIDN'T REPORT THIS TO BMW, BUT TOOK THE CHARGER TO AT&T & REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT THINKING IT WAS DEFECTIVE! MAYBE NOT! SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A BMW ISSUE😳 I'M NOT SURE ABOUT WHEN THIS ACTUALLY OCCURRED, BUT IT WAS WITHIN THE PAST YEAR!

11/18/2017
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 11/09/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C50CL******
Summary

TAKATA RECALL: I RECENTLY BOUGHT MY USED CAR FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF OPERATION, I NOTICED THAT A "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WOULD APPEAR IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. IT HAS NOT GONE AWAY SINCE THEN. IT WILL ONLY DISPLAY THIS MESSAGE IN THE BEGINNING WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON, WHILE IT'S STATIONARY. AFTER THAT IT JUST DISPLAY'S THE AIRBAG SYMBOL IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER OF THE ODOMETER. THIS HAS ME A LITTLE CONCERNED SINCE I DO NOT WANT TO BE DRIVING WITH ANYONE ELSE IF THAT MEANS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN EVENT. WHEN I DID MY RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND OUT THAT SEVERAL OF OTHER BMW OWNER WHERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE.

11/10/2017
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 11/08/2017
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX7C58CL******
Summary

SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FIRE WHILE PARKED ON A CITY STREET. COOLANT PUMP REPLACED THE MORNING OF NOV 8TH 2017. ONE HOUR AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AND A FEW SHORT TRIPS, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHUT OFF AND LOCKED. IT DROVE NORMALLY AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. 15-20 MIN LATER ENGINE WAS ON FIRE.

05/22/2017
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 02/15/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C56CL******
Summary

ENGINE FAILURE AT 55K MILES WHEN THE CAR WAS LESS THAN YEARS OLD.

05/13/2017
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 04/01/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX7C52CL******
Summary

WHEN STARTING THE CAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT DEPRESS A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE RESISTANCE AS IT DID PREVIOUSLY. NOW, I HAVE TO PUSH VERY HARD TO GET IT TO DEPRESS ANY DISTANCE SO THAT I CAN START THE CAR. THIS USUALLY DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 50 DEGREES OR THE CAR HAS BEEN OPERATED VERY RECENTLY.

03/30/2017
Components: SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Incident Date: 04/30/2016
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

IN 3 OCCASIONS (WITHIN 2 YEARS DURATION) WHEN I BRAKED THE CAR (BRAND NEW 2012 X3 2.8I) GENTLY TO STOP IT, IT SLOWED DOWN FIRSTLY BUT ALL IN A SUDDEN IT ACCELERATED WITH ENGINE REVVED UP (WITH NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE), THE BRAKE SEEMED LOSING POWER AT ALL. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I COULD BE ABLE TO STOP IT (BY FLOORING THE BRAKE) BEFORE HITTING THE ROADBLOCK AND THE CARPARK ENTRANCE GATE, THE THIRD TIME I COULD DO NOTHING BUT HIT INTO ANOTHER CAR IN THE CARPARK DUE TO THE SHORT DISTANCE. I'M SURE THAT I WAS NOT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL ACCIDENTALLY FOR I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PRESSING THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR IN ALL THREE CASES. I FOUND A SIMILAR RECALLS FM MY LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AUTH (REF: HTTP://WWW.TD.GOV.HK/FILEMANAGER/EN/CONTENT_1179/10000456_E.PDF AND HTTP://WWW.TD.GOV.HK/FILEMANAGER/EN/CONTENT_1179/10000457_E.PDF) WHICH MAY RELEVANT TO MY ISSUE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR NOT IN THE LISTED VIN RECALL. I HAD TALKED WITH THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE GUY AND SHE DENIED THE PROBLEMS ARE RELEVANT (WHICH COSTED AROUND US$15,000 TO DO THE AUTO REPAIR EVENTUALLY, COVERED BY INS).

08/02/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/22/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX7C52CL******
Summary

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 90-DEGREES AND WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY, THE STEERING GETS STIFF AND THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER MANY MILES OF THIS TYPE OF DIFFICULT DRIVING ACROSS SEVERAL DAYS, THE STIFFNESS DISAPPEARS. FIRST OCCURRED A YEAR AGO; WENT AWAY, RETURNED LAST MONTH.

07/18/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/04/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C50CL******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING BECOMES STIFF AND STICKY CAUSING DECREASED RESPONSIVENESS ON CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT IT TAKES EXTRA EFFORT ON TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. ONCE THE STICKING IS RELEASED COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO OVERCOMPENSATE THE STEERING IN ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

07/02/2016
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 07/01/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: SUXWX7C54CL******
Summary

BMW ON 2013 AND OLDER MODELS HAS DISABLED THE EMERGENCY SOS BUTTON WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE IN AN EMERGENCY. THEY ALSO HAVE TURNED OFF THE ABILITY OF THE CAR TO AUTOMATICALLY CALL FOR HELP WHEN A COLLISION OCCURS. THESE SAFETY FEATURES WERE DISABLED DUE TO THE CAR USING OLDER 2G CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY. I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH THE PEACE OF MIND THAT IT HAD THESE DESIRABLE SAFETY FEATURES. BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RETROFITTING NEW ANTENNAS/SOFTWARE TO WORK WITH NEWER 3G OR LTE MOBILE PHONE SERVICE. A CHEAP THROWAWAY PHONE CAN USE 3G. THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES WERE JUST ELIMINATED WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND REQUIRED BMW TO MAKE THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY CHANGES.

08/22/2014
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 03/04/2012
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 X3, I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN BUT WOULD NOT STOP. THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKES FAILING CAUSING ME TO HIT THE REAR END OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND. MY 2012 X3 KEPT ROLLING AND FINALLY STOPPED ONLY AFTER I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES. I IMMEDIATELY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER WHERE IT SAT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. BMW STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. *TR

08/12/2014
Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 08/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX7C50CL******
Summary

IN A SINGLE SITTING VEHICLE IN PARK, ENGINE REVVED TO 2500 THEN TO 3500 AND THEN TO REDLINE (APPROX 7500RPM). I SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND WAITED 5 MINUTES. STARTED ENGINE AND SHIFTED TO REVERSE. ENGINE REVVED TO 2500 AND I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN ENGINE. WAITED 10 MINUTES AND TRIED AGAIN. AFTER A PERIOD OF IDLING PROCEEDED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND ALL WAS NORMAL. *TR

08/05/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 06/24/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX7C59CL******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X3. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REVERSED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN INJURIES TO THE FACE, INCLUDING SWELLING AND NERVE DAMAGE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

09/26/2013
Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/24/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX7C52CL******
Summary

2012 BMW X3. AT A STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR UNCONTROLLABLY SUDDENLY SURGES FORWARD AT FULL THROTTLE CAUSING CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS BOTH TIMES AND CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF CAR. FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS IN FRONT OF CAR OR THE UNTHINKABLE WOULD HAPPEN. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM NO OTHER INCIDENTS LIKE THIS HAVE HAPPENED. THE LEAD TECHNICIAN ALSO SAID THERE WERE NO TSB'S RELATING TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE AND WILL ADVISE WITHIN 1-3 DAYS. *JS

06/05/2013
Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 01/26/2012
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Summary

OUR X3 NEW X3 HAS SURGED VIOLENTLY AHEAD ON TWO OCCASIONS NOW, ON ONE OCCASION WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. BMW ARE DENYING ANY OTHER EXAMPLES OF THIS PROBLEM EXIST, WHICH BY VIEWING THIS WEBSITE CLEARLY IS NOT THE CASE. I ENCOURAGE ALL THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TO LODGE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT TO CAUSE A FULL RECALL OF THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE IN AUSTRALIA, AND THAT BMW IN GERMANY ARE DENYING ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

04/15/2013
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Incident Date: 11/01/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C54CL******
Summary

WE STOPPED FOR A LIGHT AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. THE RPM GAUGE WENT UP TO AROUND 3500 AND THE CAR WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO KEEP FROM GOING FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT HAPPENED RECENTLY AND WE ARE TAKING THE CAR IN AGAIN TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

04/06/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C59CL******
Summary

ELECTRONIC STEERING SUDDENLY FAILS AND CAR BECOMES INSTANTLY NOT DRIVABLE. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT. *TR

01/29/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 01/29/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX5C53CL******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST HOWEVER, THE TEST RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,200.

10/23/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/19/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UXWX7C55CL******
Summary

ON 19 OCTOBER MY WIFE AND I DROVE OUR NEW BMW X3 TO A SHOPPING CENTER AT THE CORNER OF GOSNELL AND VIRGINIA ROUTE 7 NEAR TYSONS CORNER VIRGINIA. WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE X3 OUT OF THE PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED USING BOTH HANDS. THE X3 WOULD GO FORWARD. IT WOULD GO BACKWARDS. HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. AFTER 30 TO 45 MINUTES THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE X3 WAS TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A STEERING ANGLE SENSOR OUT OF POSITION. IN MY OPINION, IF THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY, WE COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

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