BMW X3 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the BMW X3 across 21 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (60). The words owners use most often: “drivetrain malfunction” (15% of reports).
- 192power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 43%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.
- Drivetrain malfunction: mentioned in 29 of 192 complaints (15%)
- Timing chain: mentioned in 21 of 192 complaints (11%)
- Oil pressure: mentioned in 18 of 192 complaints (9%)
- Rear differential: mentioned in 10 of 192 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 107 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 192 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 2 an injury.
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 (2)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2023
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
Risk: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2022
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 330i, 530i, X3 xDrive30i, and X4 xDrive30i vehicles. The mechatronics unit inside the transmission may not have been assembled properly, which could result in an internal leak.
Risk: An internal transmission leak can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics unit, free of charge. All of the vehicle population for this recall have been repaired. Owner notification letters were not mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Car would not start, diagnosed that the Cam shaft sensor was not showing a signal. Discovered BMW had a Vanos recall â (Campaign 23V-707) Contacted BMW of North Canton for recall. Dropped of the BMW on Aug 1st. Received a call August 3rd from [XXX] that the technician could not get the hood open…
The contact owns a 2022 BMW X3. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking spot, the vehicle experienced hard braking and then stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the battery was replaced. While driving 25 MPH in heavy traffic after retrieving the vehicle, the vehicle…
The operating system is yielding extremely poor results. After purchasing the vehicle, the operating system wouldn't remember the settings for the selected driver and would randomly changing settings. At one point, the turn signals on the vehicle stopped working because of the issues with the…
Purchased BMW X3 Feb 2025. On test drive left wheel shimmy on left turn noted. Salesman stated it "was a safety feature he could not turn off". Vehicle continues to have shimmy/vibration on left front wheel with left turns. I have had the tires balanced/rotated and aligned multiple times with no…
Had an oil change through BMW with their pre-packaged oil service. 6 days later my oil pump chain guard broke inside the engine and now they're telling me I need a new engine which cost $33,000. I believe the chain guard was either broken during the time of their possession or they could at least…
Frequently asked questions
Do all BMW X3s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 192 owner complaints about power train for the BMW X3. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the BMW X3 power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about power train problems on the BMW X3?
The most frequent phrase is “drivetrain malfunction”, in 29 of 192 complaints, followed by “timing chain” (21).
Other BMW X3 problems
- Engine problems (455)
- Electrical System problems (418)
- Air Bags problems (305)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (191)
- Seats problems (168)
- Structure problems (118)
- Service Brakes problems (105)
See all BMW X3 problems.