2020 BMW X3 Problems & Complaints

Most common 2020 BMW X3 problems

• Electrical system~55,000 miles
  3532%
• Engine & cooling~29,000 miles
  2725%
• Other / not specified~12,000 miles
  1715%
• Transmission & drivetrain~35,000 miles
  1413%
• Body & structure~70,000 miles
  87%
• Air bags~20,000 miles
  87%
• Fuel & propulsion system~70,000 miles
  76%
• Driver assistance~21,000 miles
  55%
• Lights
  44%
• Speed control & acceleration
  33%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof
  33%
• Steering~0 miles
  22%
• Brakes
  22%
• Seat belts~49,000 miles
  22%
• Wheels & tires~5,000 miles
  11%
• Suspension
  11%
• Seats
  11%

Share of the 110 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

BMW X3 complaints by model year

Best X3 years: 2023, 2012, 2014. Years to avoid: 2021, 2019, 2025, 2020, 2013. Compare all years →

2020 BMW X3 recalls (16)

What 2020 BMW X3 owners say

Electrical system all 35 →

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and turning the engine off, approximately 10 minutes later a burning rubber odor was present inside the cablin of the vehicle and smoke was present coming from under the hood. The contact opened the hood discovered flames coming from the engine. The fire and police departments were called to the scene and the fire was extinguished the flame. During the incident the vehicle destroyed and later lowed away. A fire and police report was taken. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: ( ). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 65,000.

The contact owned a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 10-15 MPH in a parking lot and attempting to make a turn, the brake pedal was depressed, but the pedal travelled down to the floor, and the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the steering wheel seized, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the pedal travelled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle became inoperable, causing the front driver's side bumper and door of the vehicle to crash into the rear-end of an unoccupied parked vehicle, and then the front end of the vehicle crashed into the side of another occupied parked vehicle. All the air bags of the vehicle deployed. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. …

Engine & cooling all 27 →

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and turning the engine off, approximately 10 minutes later a burning rubber odor was present inside the cablin of the vehicle and smoke was present coming from under the hood. The contact opened the hood discovered flames coming from the engine. The fire and police departments were called to the scene and the fire was extinguished the flame. During the incident the vehicle destroyed and later lowed away. A fire and police report was taken. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: ( ). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 65,000.

The contact owned a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated the vehicle was stationary at a parking lot, when the front passenger informed her that there was smoke coming from under the passenger's side hood. The contact stated a bystander attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but failed. The fire department arrived within 10 minutes and was able to extinguish the fire. The contact stated no one was injured nor was medical attention sought. A fire report was filed. A police officer arrived at the location and filed a police report. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to towing lot. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact called the local dealer and left a voicemail. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated he self-inspected the vehicle and noticed a loosened blot in the rear differential. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was a common failure with the year, make, and model. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated while accelerating from a stop, there was a loud, popping sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the upper rear differential mounting bolt head had sheared off. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

2020 BMW X3 engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.