10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,088 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.

2015 BMW X3 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2015 BMW X3 Owner Comments

problem #8

May 252021

X3

  • miles

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

Driver drove approx. 3.5 to passenger-??s home. While sitting & talking to the passenger for several minutes, the car suddenly, rapidly lurched forward, crashing into neighbor-??s property. Substantial damage was done to the neighbor-??s deck and brick wall at rear of the house. At least one piece of heavy lumber speared through the windshield between the driver and passenger. Vehicle is auto-shut off capable, however, the driver doesn-??t recall if they shut the engine off manually, but believes it may have auto-shut off, while stopped before parking the vehicle. Driver recalls pressing the -??P-?? button to put the vehicle in park. Driver said they were just sitting and talking to the Passenger (ie Driver was in a relaxed seating position, hands were not on the steering wheel, and feet not on the pedals). Driver said they attempted to hit the brakes after the vehicle lurched forward, but feels that they may have partially froze due to the shock of the unexpected acceleration. The passenger who also witnessed the event says the car seemed to go slowly for a split second then suddenly took off at extremely high acceleration. Passenger said prior to the car moving, the driver was pressing or had pressed the park button on the gear shift, when the car started to move, slowly at first (for a split second) and then suddenly the car took off at rapid acceleration. Driver said they recalled checking to see if the car was in park, which they noted is indicated by a red light (which they recall seeing). Passenger doesn-??t recall seeing light on, but recalls Driver pressing the P button at least twice. Vehicle owned since 2017, purchased with 24k miles, 1 prior owner (previously leased). Vehicle had about 50k miles at time of incident. Vehicle was always serviced at BMW of Fairfax. No prior issues with the vehicle. The car was equipped with BMW OEM rubber floor mats. No Airbag deployment. The event occurred on or about May 25th, 2021 at 9 pm. Vehicle deemed total loss.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #7

Oct 132022

X3 4-cyl Diesel

  • miles
Drivetrain malfunction light due to bad EGR valve, which is causing car to run rough. Currently there is safety recall out for the EGR cooler. BMW of Bloomfield diagnosed and recommended EGR valve replacement but cost was excessive at over $1,100. Another BMW specialist (G&T in Jersey City) recommended replacement of EGR valve and cooler due to potential hazardous conditions described in safety recall but said I shouldn't have to pay due to safety recall. So I called BMW dealers in Bloomfield and Springfield both say the "remedy is not available". So am I just supposed to drive the car until it catches fire? This seems reckless so my other option is to pay the mechanics to replace the system that is already subject to a recall.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jan 012019

X3

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that the check engine warning lights was illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was slipping. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the transfer pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the EGR valve was replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

problem #5

Jun 192019

X3

  • 60,000 miles

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

I recently submitted complaint 11219776. I didn't have VIN info. Now I do and included in this complaint so consider deleting 11219776. However. The details are same. At stopped position in drive selection, transmission shifts into park. Doesn't happen in sport mode nor very frequently in standard drive. However, the issue of the car shifting on own due to a unknown problem is a safety concern. Bought the car new from irvine ca BMW. Car has been in and out a few times at encinitas BMW with no root cause identified.

- Solana Beach, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 212018

X3

  • 76,000 miles
BMW diesel recall - while driving on highway my vehicle caught fire and burned. The car is a total loss. There was no warning lights when the car was started to indicate anything was wrong. The car lost power at 72 mph and my husband was able to get the car to the shoulder of the highway.

- Twin Lake, MI, USA

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problem #3

Apr 202018

X3

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact stated that the drivetrain indicator illuminated twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (BMW of tenafly, 301 county rd, tenafly, NJ 07670) where it was diagnosed that the drivetrain needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

- Fort Lee, NJ, USA

problem #2

Feb 122016

X3

  • 16,000 miles
While braking to a stop on city street, uncommanded engine acceleration occurs making it difficult to brake to a stop. Additionally, transmission has self-selected "sport mode" in the course of driving and has, while idling in drive, self-selected "park" mode.

- Mchenry, IL, USA

problem #1

Jan 222016

X3

  • 15,700 miles
Uncommanded engine acceleration while slowing to a stop: While slowing to a stop at a stoplight with foot on the brake, the engine suddenly surged violently. I had to apply full braking pressure to stop the vehicle, fighting against the power of the engine. The vehicle took much longer than usual to stop.

- Mchenry, IL, USA

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