White smoke started coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle while driving it. When at a stop light, it was emitted at an alarming rate such that it necessitated stopping the vehicle immediately. No warning indicators on the dashboard were illuminated however the smoke was sudden and alarming. The vehicle was stopped on a very busy road during rush hour. A tow truck was used to take the vehicle to an independent service center. It was found that the valve cover was cracked and the camshaft adjuster seal flange gasket was insufficient causing oil to leak. The service center found the valve color leaking oil onto the catalytic converter. Leaking oil can be a fire hazard.

- Roswell, GA, USA

BMW is using inferior parts and metal. I recently had engine work completed because the transmission heat exchange is faulty and stays open which overheats the vehicle's engine. The service manager at otto's BMW told me that if the heat exchange is open it can seize the engine. To repair this it cost $1802.74 and this shouldn't happen to a BMW. I had had bmws in the past and no engine was ever a problem until now. They should be reprimanded for these latent defects. I was riding and the light for the engine went on and immediately brought it to otto's BMW. The car has always been maintained but this costly repair should be paid by BMW-usa. These cars are supposed to be high end vehicle that can last for over 175K miles. Not this vehicle. It is problematic and there are two class action lawsuits out there regarding this exact problems. BMW must be fined and make good on these problems. Anything less we the consumer gets compromised.

- West Islip, NY, USA

When I am coming to a stop sign, the engine revs up and makes it difficult to stop. I need to apply the brakes very hard to avoid hitting another car or person in a cress walk. Even when I apply the brakes hard, the car will lurch forward. I have taken it to two different BMW dealers multiple times over the past two years and they cannot find anything wrong. They test drive the car, but because the problem is sporadic and may only occur once a month, it does not do it when they test drive the car.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2017 BMW X3. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. Instead, the vehicle lurched/ accelerated forward. The failure occurred six times. The contact placed both feet on the brake pedal and shifted the gear into neutral to stop the vehicle. In addition, the tachometer revved to high. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to BMW of akron (500 w exchange St, akron, oh 44302, (330) 752-2224), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 14,200. Consumer stated 2nd incident occured 1-31-19 and 6-8-19 same as described above- reported to BMW Corp in NJ, NHTSA, and bnw of akron. Arranged for a loaner. Took 2017 X3 on 6/12 - received report of no problem identified (attached) about 15 other similar complaints reported to NHTSA for 2016, 17, 18 BMW X3. Told to followup with dealership. My wife was a witness to the 6-8-19 major incident and we believe the vehicle has a problem that could not be identified yet has the potential to cause a very serious in life or death. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Wooster, OH, USA

This complaint is a follow-up to earlier complaint to NHTSA 11129293. As noted, I experienced 3 revving incidents in which the engine accelerated uncontrollably to over 7,000 RPM and was difficult to control. Fortunate, the vehicle was stopped on each occasion and did not surge ahead while I pressed firmly on the brake and shifted to neutral. The revving stopped on its own after a short time. In each instance I delivered the vehicle to a BMW dealership--the first time in sarasota, fl and then twice in rockville, md--and BMW mechanics were unable to find any cause or flaw. Following the third event, BMW of North America despatched an engineer to rockville for a complete exam on October 4, 2018. The engineer reported the vehicle to be in perfect running condition in every respect. Based on this report, BMW na refused my request to terminate my lease early, without penalty. It also dismissed my personal view that the problem might be a software glitch that the engineer or BMW mechanics had been unable to uncover or duplicate. As my wife and I were unwilling to drive a car on public roads that we considered to have a life-threatening defect, we submitted to BMW's demand that we pay off in a lump sum the remaining two years of our lease through September of 2020, amounting to over $17,000. BMW's policy of refusing to accept resposibility for revving problems undoubtedly forces some drivers to keep driving potentially dangerous vehicles, risking public safety. I am also appalled at the likelihood that BMW has leased or resold the same vehicle, thereby profiting twice for the period of my terminated lease, while failing to reveal the car's history of revving to the new owner/driver. I have documents such as the BMW engineer's report, email correspondence with BMW of North America, etc. Unethical

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

I leased a 2017 BMW X3 with 3370 miles on it so almost brand new. I have a 7.6 mile commute from work to home. I was driving home from work around 230pm pst South on the 405 (highway) in los angeles. I pull up to my house and park the vehicle on my city street. I park turn off the vehicle and lock the doors and walk into my house. Within 15 minutes, my neighbor knocks on my door and informs me that my car is on fire. When I look outside at my vehicle, in between the hood of my car and front windshield are spitting flames out onto the windshield. It then proceeded to burn fast and hot and there were 30 foot flames that had ruined our fence as well as singed our neighbors tree. The fire department came and finally took out the flame but the vehicle was completely ruined. The tow truck showed up later but he refused to tow the vehicle because he saw smoke again. The vehicle had caught back on fire on the passenger window side. Airbags had also started blowing up when the second fire caught. I had put my head into the window when the fire was out to retrieve anything that I could but within 10 seconds of pulling my head out of the passenger side another airbag went off and almost took off my head. There was a dual investigation with BMW and my insurance safeco. The investigation is ongoing. Initial report said the defect has something to do with the fuel line. If this car was in a garage or any closer to our house everything would have gone up in flames. Our story was on the news as well. There was no known recall on this vehicle as I have checked everywhere. Https://abc7.com/la-family-demands-answers-after-parked-BMW-catches-fire/4213154/ https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/BMW-spontaneously-combusts-parked-on-la-street-493018841.html https://ktla.com/2018/09/13/parked-BMW-mysteriously-catches-fire-in-westchester/

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Three incidents of uncontrolled acceleration of engine, two while parking on city streets (April 30 and Sept 12) and one when stopping at red light on city street (Aug 1). Car was in drive and started revving unexpectedly and immediately went to over 7,000 RPM. I shifted to neutral and maintained brake. Revving stopped and returned to normal idling when I lifted foot from brake. Car was taken to BMW service for one parking incident and the incident while stopping at red light. BMW mechanics were unable to find anything wrong with vehicle. For latest incident have contacted BMW North America and they will send an engineer from headquarters to check vehicle. Fortunately, no collision or accident occurred. However, I believe some drivers would have a problem dealing with sudden uncontrolled revving and indeed I am concerned about a repetition, especially in city or highway traffic.

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

Engine seized at 65mph highway speeds during commute to work on busy boston highway. Narrowly avoided several collisions as vehicle coasted to stop. Vehicle was purchased new from a BMW dealer three weeks ago and has less than 2,000 miles on it. Dealer advises an "oversized bearing was found in the engine causing it to overheat and seize". engine requires replacement. Transmission, transfer case, electronics and cooling system damage are suspected by the dealer tech and will require monitoring.

- Boston, MA, USA

I was stopping my car at a red signal behind another vehicle. I applied breaks and vehicle reached to complete stop. Immediately, engine picked up and started moving forward even though breaks are completely pressed. I had to do something to stop the car rear ending. So, I released and re-applied breaks. Vehicle reached complete stop and again started accelerating forward. I repeated the process but the third time it hit the car infront of me. The car is equipped with : auto start/stop engine (which stops the engine when the car is at complete rest). Auto hold (which allows the driver to take the foot off of the break) both the functionality are turned on when the incident happened, but I didnt take off my foot from the break pedal. Also, ac was running. I found another driver complaining the same online. www.bimmerfest.com/forums/archive/index.php/T-766433.html

- Marina Del Rey, CA, USA