2013 BMW X3 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2013 BMW X3, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 85,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (30% of reports).
- 60power train complaints
- 85,500median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 57%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 18 of 60 complaints (30%)
- Drivetrain malfunction: mentioned in 15 of 60 complaints (25%)
- Oil pressure: mentioned in 15 of 60 complaints (25%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 38 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 60 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 a fire.
BMW X3 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 X3 | 4 | 11% | — |
| 2024 X3 | 4 | 10% | — |
| 2023 X3 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2022 X3 | 9 | 11% | 34,856 |
| 2021 X3 | 5 | 4% | — |
| 2020 X3 | 14 | 13% | 32,200 |
| 2019 X3 | 7 | 4% | 10,000 |
| 2018 X3 | 2 | 3% | 152,942 |
| 2017 X3 | 2 | 2% | 50,900 |
| 2016 X3 | 9 | 11% | 43,462 |
| 2015 X3 | 9 | 9% | 60,000 |
| 2014 X3 | 6 | 7% | 46,105 |
| 2013 X3 | 60 | 27% | 85,500 |
| 2012 X3 | 7 | 17% | 62,500 |
| 2011 X3 | 23 | 20% | 52,000 |
| 2009 X3 | 3 | 16% | 79,236 |
| 2008 X3 | 5 | 8% | 92,000 |
| 2007 X3 | 6 | 6% | 69,000 |
| 2006 X3 | 1 | 1% | 54,511 |
| 2005 X3 | 4 | 4% | 109,000 |
| 2004 X3 | 11 | 8% | 14,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists power train for the 2013 BMW X3. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
BMW knows there is a problem with the 2013 x3 timing chain. I have continuously had my BMW serviced at there shops. Never once when my car was in for service did they mention the issue or proactively check. My vehicle now has the issue per the dealership snd indicated it is approximately a 20k…
I am submitting this report to highlight a serious safety defect involving premature timing chain failures in BMW vehicles. The case relates to a 2013 BMW X3, but the problem is widely documented across multiple BMW models from this production era. The timing chain is intended to last the lifetime…
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, with the drivetrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 BMW X3s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 60 owner complaints about power train for the 2013 BMW X3 (27% of the 226 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 BMW X3 power train?
No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 85,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2013 BMW X3?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 18 of 60 complaints, followed by “drivetrain malfunction” (15).
Other 2013 BMW X3 problems
- Engine problems (147)
See all 2013 BMW X3 problems or power train problems across all X3 years.