10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,646 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 BMW X3 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 BMW X3:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 BMW X3 Owner Comments

problem #7

Feb 222018

X3

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2004 BMW X3. While the vehicle was stationary in the reverse gear, the vehicle independently accelerated rapidly and crashed into five other vehicles. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, back, and chest. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #6

Nov 012007

X3

  • 60,000 miles
My 2004 BMW X3.0I has a hesitation on acceleration. When I am at a complete stop, and begin to accelerate on the gas pedal, light moving off from a red light, the car does a horrific amount of hesitating on acceleration, almost like someone is coughing, and does this each and every time I come to a complete stop and press the gas peddle. I have tried to get this issue resolved as \I have had this problem since I purchased the vehicle in November, 2007, til this present day, but know one could seem to fix it, until I reviewed the question in a BMW forum, and here is the link that states the reason why: forums.edmunds.com/discussion/7237/BMW/X3/BMW-X3-hesitation-on-acceleration my car has 192K, is paid for. I do not know where else to look for answers. I cannot afford to buy a new car at this time, but paid 29K for this high-end, expensive vehicle. I am wondering if your look into this with BMW. Will correct this issue as a manufacturers error because I have no warranty on my car. Please assist me in correcting this issue.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #5

May 222015

X3 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
I was arriving at my daughter's home in Decatur ga just before 9:00 a.M. on Friday, May 22, 2015. I pulled into her driveway but could see here was no room to park there due to the construction debris next door (from the new house being built). I decided to back out of her driveway and park on the street. I put the BMW X3 in reverse and it slowly (as usual) began moving backwards. With no foot on gas pedal, my car came to a stop at a slight incline. I reached my right foot over and tapped the tip top of my gas pedal, hoping just a small tap of gas could get me over the incline. Just as I did this, the pedal dropped to the floor and the car revved, then lunged backwards. I was holding the brakes as tight as I could and within a few second brought my left leg to help push on brake with both feet. The brake could not stop the full force of the car moving backwards at full throttle, and left black skid marks in her driveway. My car speed in reverse at full throttle across the street narrowly missing a dumpster parked next door and another vehicle driving up the street who witnessed the incident. My car proceeded into the neighbor's yard (directly across the street), crashed into the neighbor's car, pushing their car into the front porch of their house. Both cars were totaled and the house sustained damage. This incident must be investigated. Please contact me for more info and to get access to my car for inspection. People could have been killed!!!

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #4

May 152012

X3

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 BMW X3. While driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated unintentionally. The contact attempted to steer the vehicle away from a parked vehicle but crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact applied the emergency brake and powered off the engine. The vehicle came to a stop however, the failure recurred four different times intermittently. On the last occurrence of the failure, the contact crashed into another vehicle and a wooden post. The contact was not injured. The police reported the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #3

Nov 142009

X3

  • 82,000 miles
I was in traffic and not moving with my foot on the brake. Without warning, my car accelerated and hopped forward, almost hitting the car in front of me. I had to press firmly on the brake and put my car in park, but the engine revved up or squealed, lasting for about forty seconds. The dealership called it 'unintended acceleration' and could not reproduce the problem.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 202007

X3

  • miles
I purchased a 'certified" BMW 330I in December of 2006 and have had the fuel pump replaced, instrument carrier replaced, both passenger window regulators replaced, sunroof repaired, headliner repaired (it just fell down one day). The car won't start right up, and when it does it runs real hard and the RPM goes up suddenly, the car takes a minute before it will even move & then it does so fast! I have had it in several times with this complaint and they can't diagnose what's wrong with it. I was told that the computer isn't showing anything, so it will have to get worse before they can diagnose it. Wow! I've only had the car for 8 mos. And I've been to the dealership more times than I can remember. I'd like to know how they determine a car to be certified? it sure doesn't seem as though it was checked too thoroughly to me. And oh did I mention I had to take it to Goodyear today for defective tires, that BMW wouldn't cover. Thanks Goodyear at least you stand behind your products! this is my 2nd BMW and my last! please feel free to share this to BMW of North America!!!

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #1

Jun 182004

X3 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,522 miles
When driver attempted to park vehicle in the garage. Vehicle self accelerated violently and crashed through the wall.manufacturer and dealer was contacted the next morning, manufacturer promised to investigate.message left with dealer's ass't shop manager for instruction, still waiting for call back.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

Not what you are looking for?