10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,184 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.

2007 BMW X3 engine problems

engine problem

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2007 BMW X3 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #41

Feb 172021

X3

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that on various occasions when starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure recurred, and the vehicle was stalling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer; however, the contact was informed that the recall remedy would not be completed due to the failures and was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Buena Park, CA, USA

problem #40

Nov 252022

X3

  • miles
I have been waiting for any update from BMW about this issue, and I have not heard one word from them since April or 2022. Nothing has been up dated on their web site, no mailings etc. How long can this go on?? Thank You.

- West Chicago, IL, USA

problem #39

Sep 122022

X3

  • miles
Vehicle breaking down/stalling out due to overheating with no visible defects that would cause a vehicle to overheat. Vehicle is maintained regularly and very well taken care of but persists having overheating issues and smells of burning plastic or burning electrical smell with no visible cause. The most recent incident that occurred on 9/12/22 happened while I was making a very routine drive on the freeway going approx. 70mph mid morning so slight traffic and within 2 second the vehicles temperature gauge went from smack in the middle where it sits usually to maxed out in the red! Vehicle starts very loudly beep beep beeping and then just loses power MID FREEWAY which of course means zero power steering to assist in coasting to the nearest exit while hoping not to get run over by hurried angry morning Phoenix drivers. I made it just off the off ramp and was able to make a right turn onto the street before I had to just turn on my hazards and exit the vehicle for my own safety, but mind you this is after a few failed attempts to get the car started again. Now my vehicle sits smack in the middle of a busy road taking up a whole lane while I sit there waiting for it to "cool" down in 100°F + weather and look under the hood for possible leaks or cause. After 20 minutes or so the police show up which is just the icing on the cake but just before I about blew a gasket mentally (LOL PUN) the officers approached me very friendly and concerned my my safety and the safety of my vehicle and offered to push me up the hill into the nearest station to avoid a possible collision which is where I let the vehicle sit a few hours, went back, turned her over and drove away like nothing over happened......uhh what"!"

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #38

Mar 142022

X3 6-cyl

  • miles

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

I have contacted NHTSA and BMW several times. I want this in writing in the case myself or my children are injuried when in this vehicle. My bmw x3 is my only form of transportation the engine light is on and it has started to smoke twice when engine is off. I just purchased the car second week of March 2022. It is hard for the car to accelerate and once the car is stopped at light or stop sign, the car does not have enough power to drive away or pull off. The car RPM goes very high and then low. This issue is unsafe and unfair that a customer can not drive their vehicle to work and appointments for my son with autism as well as my other 3 children. The burden is on BMW and NHTSA to remedy this issue. I will be contacting my local congress person to address this issue is well.

- Romulus, MI, USA

problem #37

Mar 082022

X3

  • miles
I just purchased a bmw x3 2007 the 2nd week of March 2022. Immediately, after driving home and parking the car. I turned the car off and the car began to make a loud noise and the engine start smoking very bad. I contacted bmw via email, and was told that there is not a remedy to the recalls effecting my car. The bmw x3 2007 is my only form of transportation and bmw cannot fix the problem. This car can catch on fire or worse kill me and children in the fire in the car. After research this is an ongoing problem with bmw. Bmw should be liable for any damages caused my this recall. I have car that i cannot drive because it is not safe to drive, by no fault of my own.

- Romulus, MI, USA

problem #36

Nov 052021

X3

  • miles
After hearing a very loud bang. I noticed a very bad vibration during normal operation of the vehicle. Today I was able to find the problem. The 4 bolts that hold the motor mount bracket to the engine block were sheared off. After just a little research on this issue. It seems this a very common incident on all newer bmw vehicles. In the course of this damage, I now need several thousand dollars worth of repairs that are directly attributed to this bolt failure. The rest of the owners that have experienced this issue have had the same outcome. I am having my vehicle towed to a shop in a few days to get an estimate on the damages. Since this is obviously an ongoing and known issue for BMW vehicles, BMW should issue a recall or a service bulletin that will cover repairs to their vehicles.

- Columbus , OH, USA

problem #35

Jan 012020

X3

  • 160,000 miles

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

White driving on the highway at a speed of 65 mph the engine lost power and stopped. After to the vehicle was stopped and started again the heater was no longer working. Took in for the repair, was told it was a water pump. $1600 repair 6 weeks ago. Last night 1/1/2020 while driving on the same highway all the lights began blinking and the engine ceased again with the indicator lights showing a transmission error.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #34

Mar 082019

X3

  • 2 miles
While driving my 2007 BMW X3 the vehicle in san antonio on bandera rd it lost power all warning lights came on and the vechile started to sputter till it's just died and now won't turn over everything works has power but vehicle will not crank over.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #33

Aug 152018

X3

  • 124,000 miles
I've made several attempts to get an appointment to have two recalls done at my nearest BMW dealership (global imports BMW in marietta, ga.), but they refuse to schedule me. The two recalls are: NHTSA 17V605 and NHTSA 17V683

- Silver Creek, GA, USA

problem #32

Sep 302018

X3

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. While driving various speeds, oil leaked onto the head gasket of the vehicle. The contact stated that the leak entered onto the serpentine belt. BMW of mainline (225 bala avenue, bala cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004, (610) 668-2200) was made aware of the failure and diagnosed a failure with the mass air flow. The dealer replaced the serpentine belt, but the failure recurred. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled on various occasions and became completely inoperable. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #31

Dec 312017

X3 6-cyl

  • miles

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

My vehicle is under two recalls: 17V605 17V683 as recommended, I took my vehicle in to the BMW dealer for the recalls. The dealer returned the vehicle to me stating that the remedy for the recall was not yet available. Since that time, I continue to receive recall notices from BMW for the same recall numbers. Your database shows that for both recalls: "recall incomplete/remedy not yet available". I do not understand why the "remedy" is "not yet available". can you tell me when BMW projects a "remedy" to be available to correct both recalls? it seems like the technical resolution of these issues would be fairly straightforward, albeit somewhat expensive, for BMW to process. Thank you- [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

problem #30

Sep 282017

X3 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling) and 17V605000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified and unable to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. * updated 10/19/18

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #29

Jul 042018

X3

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000, 17V605000 (air bags) and 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Advantage BMW midtown (1305 gray St, houston, tx 77002, (713) 289-1200) stated that parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000, 17V605000 (air bags), and 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling).

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #28

Sep 262017

X3

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V605000 (air bags) and 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called circle BMW at 732-440-3640 (500 NJ 36, eaton, NJ 07724) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Holmdel, NJ, USA

problem #27

Apr 202018

X3

  • miles
I recieved a recall for pvc valve heater last year Dec 2017 until now April 20 2018 my car is not fix and I get overheat when my car is stuck on traffic.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #26

Apr 112018

X3

  • 56,000 miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling), 17V605000 (air bags), and 16V071000 (air bags). While driving at unknown speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor of plastic emerging from the vents. Additionally, smoke entered the vehicle through the ventilation system when the air conditioner was activated and the check engine indicator illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that she must ship the vehicle to honolulu, hi to an authorized BMW dealer at her expense. The manufacturer further stated that she would be reimbursed when the recall repairs were completed. Additionally, the manufacturer confirmed that some of the parts were not available.the contact declined to ship the vehicle to honolulu due to funds not being available. The failure mileage was 56,000. The VIN was not available.

- Kapaa, HI, USA

problem #25

Mar 082018

X3

  • 110,000 miles
All four engine mounting bolts are sheared and completely broken. The vehicle was not in any kind of accident and no other issues I.e. engine taken out and reusage of bolts, etc. The engine was sitting on the surrounding chassis. This caused the engine head to crack and oil leaking onto the exhaust

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #24

May 112017

X3

  • 186,123 miles
Since the beginning of November BMW confirmed me that my car has 2 recall involving PCV valve and seat occupant detection mat. My car is overheating and I can smell plastic smell. The smoke comes from the hood compartment when and I have to tow the car to BMW minnetonka. I was so scared to drive vehicle in such condition and I have tried so many time to get these issue resolved or get alternative transportation which BMW gave me authorization through BMW repair center in minnehaha, mn. But until no loaner vehicle is gave to me nor my car is not completely repaired. I still have the car with BMW minnetonka and the service manager would ask me to talk to BMW services and when I talk to BMW services they also ask me to talk to my service manager. I need help to get the alternative transportation. Thanks

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #23

Oct 302017

X3

  • miles
Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve heater- the manufacturer has failed and unable to remedy the recall.

- Fayette, AL, USA

problem #22

Nov 302017

X3

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to overheat. The contact turned off the vehicle and restarted it once the engine cooled down. Santa barbara auto group in santa barbara, California was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

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