Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 BMW X3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The contact owned a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated after parking her vehicle at her residence, the vehicle caught fire around the engine independently. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire and police report were filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,700. The consumer stated the police and fire reports have been requested and waiting to receive the reports.
Component Failed: Engine starter relay and starter motor assembly. The vehicle stalled in traffic and ignited upon a restart attempt. The vehicle is a total loss, currently held by [Insurance Co] at [Location/Lot #], and is available for inspection. Safety Risk: The driver's life was at immediate risk. The vehicle stalled in active traffic, creating a collision hazard, followed by a rapid, uncontrollable engine fire. The driver suffered smoke inhalation and severe trauma while escaping. A delayed exit would have been fatal. Confirmed by Dealer: The failure mirrors the defect pattern in Recall 25V-636 (Starter Relay Corrosion). While the fire prevents reproduction, the vehicle had a consistent service history with no prior electrical issues. Inspected By: The vehicle was inspected by [Insurance Co] and declared a total loss. [Optional: The Fire Dept. responded under Report #[Number]]. …
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to shake with the message, "Pull Over Engine Oil Pressure Low Pull Over Stop Driving to Avoid Engine Failure". The contact immediately pulled over to the side of the road, inspected the vehicle, and became aware there was no issue with the oil. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the oil pump was defective due to the oil pump being manufactured with plastic. The mechanic confirmed it was a known issue, and the oil pumps were changed to a metal material to avoid the failure. The dealer was contacted, and the new metal pump part, PN: 11418646454, was ordered. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. …
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the message "Drivetrain Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the heat management module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure but offered no assistance and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,400.
I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and potentially dangerous mechanical failures involving my vehicle that have repeatedly occurred despite numerous repair attempts by the dealership. Over the past year, I have taken my vehicle to the dealership more than 10 times for serious recurring issues. The problems have included: Drivetrain malfunction warnings Engine warning lights Oil leaks Smoke coming from the vehicle The vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral while driving Sudden loss of drivability requiring the vehicle to be towed The dealership has repeatedly stated that the issues were repaired, and at one point even provided a one-year warranty on the repair work. Despite this, the same problems have continued to occur. …
Heat Management Module HMM is bad. BMW used a plastic part that is right up against the engine block. This HMM Heat Management Module resulted in STOPPING the vehicle completely in the middle of the freeway. I had no control. Then the car drove, then stopped again. I had NO CONTROL over the vehicle. Weeks later the Drivetrain Malfunction warning light appeared as i was driving home late at night from the ER. I took it to my BMW dealer. The diagnostic test was performed and was told the Heat Management Module HMM needed to be replaced at a cost to me of $3000. I contacted BMW USA, explained what transpired and they responded with a denial. I stopped driving the car completely after i found other complaints about BMW using an inferior part on the 3 series and the same issue about the car stopping in highway traffic without any control. …
BMW recalled our car twice to replace the hybrid battery. Purchase in late July 2020; first recall about August 2020; second recall about September 2021. BMW replaced the hybrid battery as part of the second recall. Since then the vehicle check engine light has intermittently illuminated. The service department has confirmed faults in the hybrid drive system but has not identified the cause of the faults nor identified a fix. The car is not drivable and has been in the shop for the last 6 weeks with no end in sight. This car has been in the BMW service center for issues relating to the hybrid battery drive system on at least 4 occasions encompassing more than 120 cumulative days over the past 1.6 years that we have owned it. BMW reportedly is now replacing sensors (e.g., throwing parts at the car) in hopes of correcting the fault rather than identifying the source of the fault. …
70-80k mileage the oil filter housing gushed coolant fluid. Replacement at dealership quoted at $4,000. Dealership indicated they replace part with current part and do not upgrade to an all aluminum to prevent future problems. Employee also stated they are seeing more of these issues of late. The housing has plastic components that fail easily. There was a 2020 bulletin warning of similar failures for this type of engine and vehicle but BMW has not issued a recall. If this draining of coolant is not detected early enough, the engine could overheat and fail, creating a traffic hazard and safety concern to passengers. Local certified mechanics quoted $2,500 for replacement using an aluminum part. …
Related recalls
Engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine complaints in other X3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2020 BMW X3?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2020 BMW X3, 25% of the model year's 110 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2020 BMW X3 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-598 (engine, Aug 2, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2020 BMW X3 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.