2011 BMW X3 Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  1
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  27%
• 25k–50k
  27%
• 50k–75k
  931%
• 75k–100k
  621%
• 100k–150k
  724%
• 150k+
  310%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 BMW X3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed sensor. The contact was informed of the active recall investigation NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed cam shaft and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, the light changed, and the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and heard an abnormal sound coming from under the floorboard and the vehicle stalled. The contact observed that the shifter had shifted independently into neutral (N) and a warning light flashed on the instrument panel but the vehicle lost electrical power and stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle was unable to be restarted. …

I had my car towed into bmw dealership for a vanos recall repair,it went in for the repair the repair was "done" but before picking it up they told me they were unable to qc/start my engine to verify the repair claiming that because my camshaft position sensor was removed (it was removed to ultimately figure out it was the vanos system that failed)and that my car had no battery at the time of the repair they could and would not start my engine to verify the repair and that they turned it over by hand only,upon them releasing the car back to me I brought a battery and started my car and left the dealership within ten miles my engine failed and locked up due to oil starvation,I had it towed back immediately and explained what happened,and they refuse to take any responsibility for my car failing on the road while driving cause my engine to smoke and push the smoke into the cab mid …

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated that "Engine temperature" message was displayed on the instrument panel with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was hot(H). Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that steam on the radiator, and a coolant leak. The contact removed the cooling fan and shroud and discovered that the wiring from the electric water pump was burned and inoperable. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the year and model vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN nor the vehicle was included in the recall for the electrical connector. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was an unknown sensor fault with the vehicle. The contact then took the vehicle to another independent mechanic who informed him that the camshaft bolts were loosened, and the contact was instructed to no longer drive the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was towed back and remained at the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into neutral. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the engine and redesigned the timing gear assembly. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed the parts were not yet available. The contact called another local dealer, BMW of Northwest Arkansas (2500 SE Moberly Ln, Bentonville, AR 72712, [phone]); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2011 BMX X3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to shake, with the "Drivetrain Malfunction," message displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to accelerate above 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the spark plugs and ignition coil. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 218,000.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was attempting to start the vehicle, there was smoke coming from under the driver's side hood, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the PCV heater had overheated and burned along with the fuse box. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 150,744.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pulled over but was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired and was towed to the residence. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 146,590.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. The contact stated that the check engine light warning illuminated while driving at an undisclosed speed. The failure mileage was 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other X3 years