Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 BMW X3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheating and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that only a shield had been replaced. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was not covered or associated with the recall repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the recall repair was performed. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred after the vehicle was retrieved. …
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a faint burning odor. The contact stated that the odor was noticed directly after the vehicle had been driven and then parked in the parking garage. In addition, the contact stated that the odor had begun during the summer months. The contact stated that it was a burning odor. In addition, the contact stated there was no smoke but noticed there was a burning odor several times when the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure and the contact was quoted a price for the diagnostic test fee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V60800 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. …
The contact owns a 2014 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 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 while operating the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the contact discovered that there was an unknown fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. 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 vehicle was taken back to the residence. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. 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 dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,897. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 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 contact stated that the engine overheated, and the drivetrain malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle until the engine had cooled down. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 170,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The LED chips that control the running lamps in the rear and prone to fail based on my personal experience and reading forums; I've replaced 3 so far. However, BMW has yet to acknowledge the issue and will only sell you an entire brake lamp for $400+. You can find the chip that needs replacing on Amazon for ~$15 with a Lifetime Warranty through the Amazon retailer. During normal operation, these LED lights stay lit in the rear when you're not actively braking or signaling and when you're parking so they're important for any traffic following from behind especially if it's dark. I've seen other German auto manufacturers with similar issues where the rear LED lights no longer function due to defective chips or simply not making them easily available for repair should the chip fail.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other X3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2014 BMW X3?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 BMW X3, 35% of the model year's 86 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 BMW X3 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-608 (connectors/plugs/receptacles, Aug 13, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 BMW X3 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.