2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,068 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.

2011 BMW X3 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 BMW X3 Owner Comments

problem #16

Jul 012024

X3

  • miles

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

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 not contacted. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Village Of Lakewood, IL, USA

problem #15

Dec 012023

X3

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact was notified 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Newtonville, MA, USA

problem #14

May 292024

X3

  • miles
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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Los Altos, CA, USA

problem #13

May 072024

X3

  • miles

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

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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- New Lenox, IL, USA

problem #12

Apr 222024

X3

  • 218,000 miles
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.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #11

Mar 272024

X3

  • 75,000 miles
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.

- Huntington, NY, USA

problem #10

Mar 252024

X3

  • miles

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

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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Prairie Village, KS, USA

problem #9

Mar 082024

X3

  • miles
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. 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Walkerton, IN, USA

problem #8

Oct 242022

X3

  • 149,000 miles
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 vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that several additional repairs were needed. However, the contact stated that the VANOS bolts were not included in the recall repair. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the current recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since October 2022. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

- Chester, SC, USA

problem #7

Jan 292024

X3

  • 139,000 miles
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. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Saint Leonard, MD, USA

problem #6

Nov 022023

X3

  • 0 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V7070000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle however, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Crestline, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 012021

X3

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the PCV. The local dealer was not contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Reisterstown, MD, USA

problem #4

Nov 012022

X3

  • 149,000 miles
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.

- Chester, SC, USA

problem #3

Sep 222021

X3

  • 146,590 miles
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.

- Sandy, UT, USA

problem #2

Apr 262011

X3 6-cyl

  • 500 miles
We leased the above BMW X3drive 35I (shipped on 3.30.2011) from husker auto group, BMW of Lincoln, ne on March 30, 2011 for a 3-year period. In mid April I noticed a very loud noise coming from the engine after I turned the car off. The car had 567 miles on the odometer and was taken back to BMW of Lincoln for repairs on April 26, 2011. We were told the main crankcase seal was causing high pressures and was the problem. Apparently replacing the valve covers would result in it being fixed. Within a week, I noted the exact same noise. The car now had 1391 miles on the odometer was again returned to BMW of Lincoln on May 12, 2011. This time I was told the master seal was broken. BMW of Lincoln removed the transmission and replaced the rear main crankcase seal. On September 4, 2011, we were driving at 25 miles/hour when the dash lit up with a drive transmission alert. Immediately thereafter, we heard an extremely loud sound coming from under the car. It sounded like the car had broken in half and the entire engine had fallen out. The dash then displayed a chassis alert followed by a transmission alert. The car rolled backwards despite being put in park. Baron BMW's service department reports there has been a total disruption of all the driveshaft and the transmission, flanges and ebow valve (?) as well as other significant problems. Some replacement parts have to be ordered from germany. We were told that we were extremely lucky to have been traveling at such a low speed and that if it had occurred at 70mph it could have had fatal consequences.

- Saint Joseph, MO, USA

problem #1

Jun 012011

X3 6-cyl

  • miles
2011 BMW X3. Consumer states multiple drive train failures the consumer stated while driving, the vehicle lost power while passing another vehicle on a rural two lane highway. The vehicles computer system flashed a warning signal with a half engine icon stating: Drive moderately. Maximum drive train output not available. Have the system checked by your service center. The dealer had isolated the problem and stated a vacuum tube supplying air to the engine was crimped. However, the next weekend, the consumer experienced a similar though less extreme loss of power and the same drive train warning appeared again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again, where they stated a possible cause was a faulty gasket, but was not sure if it would resolve the problem.

- Washington, DC, USA

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