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.
The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that the battery and battery cables failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was advised that the battery cable connecters needed to be replaced. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage and current mileages were unknown.
Driving vehicle noticed a burning smell, at first thought it was coming from outside of car, then while in heavy traffic and unable to pull over felt a burning pain on thigh. Immediately turned off seat warmer and tried to pull over. Found that drivers side seat warmer had burnt a hole thru the leather seat cover and burned my pants. This could have very easily caused a wreck!
I had car heating system on and felt some thing very hot under my thigh. I got down to inspect and found a hole in the car seat. I put off the heating system to reach home safely. I have sent pictures and my complaint to BMW ag and BMW usa.
Turned on heated seat on driver's side. After approximately 2 minutes, felt burning on left side of seat. Turned off the heated seat, turned on the light and the seat was smoking substantially. A small hole was burned through the leather seat (about the size of a dime) and through my pants. I have a small red mark on the top of the back of my leg. The vehicle smells like smoke. Luckily, I was in the driveway when this happened or an accident might have occurred. Very concerning and will likely be a costly repair. Have noted several other similar incidents repoted on-line.
Driver's side seat heater has malfunctioned and has burnt the leather and caused discomfort while driving. Heavy burnt smell in the cabin resulted from using the seat heater.
- Selah, WA, USA
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After multiple attempts to remedy the situation, BMW has been unable to resolve the transmission and the intermittent loss of power and most recently "limp-home" mode occurrence associated with the drivetrain on the 2007 BMW X3. The symptoms 1st presented itself as a loss of power from a start. Upon pressing the accelerator, the vehicle did not respond and then responded with a surge or lurching forward. This makes for unpredictable and dangerously erratic vehicle performance. After multiple visits (+4) and multiple complaints along with the sound of gear or differential noise, the dealership finally did some type of ECU update that appeared to resolve the problem. The noise never subsided and recently the car was inoperable forcing a tow after upon pressing the accelerator the vehicle went into transmission limp-mode. As usual, the symptoms "can't be duplicated" once codes are cleared yet the ECU is throwing multiple codes for transmission limp-mode and code 56be for clutch gears 2 and 6. I believe that this is a very dangerous situation to either press the accelerator and for it to be non-responsive then have a delayed vehicle surge not proportional to the input and timing of the accelerator depression and/or press the accelerator and experience significantly curtailed vehicle power due to the "limp-home" condition. This has been a recurring issue since the purchase of the vehicle on 5/31/2009.
BMW X3 needs new computer system due to water damage allegedly emanating from a clogged drain in the sunroof. New computer costs appx $2,000. Dealer and BMW say the drain can't be seen or accessed by owner and it isn't cleaned as part of any servicing. Clear design flaw. I know of others who have had the same situation and bmws response is to try and file an insurance claim.
The contact owns a 2008 (na) BMW X3. The contact stated that the brake lights illuminated automatically several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service, but they found no failures. The light illuminated again and the contact was able to reset the system by turning off the vehicle. The light illuminated again and remained lit. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the electrical switch failed. In addition, the brakes failed while driving at an unknown speed. The contact drove onto a curve and crashed into a tree. There were no injuries. The gear shifter failed and stuck to the floor when it was pulled. The transmission is also failing. During acceleration, the vehicle pulls backwards violently and the contact's hands released the steering wheel. The instrument panel indicators also illuminate. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 7,300 and the failure mileage was unknown.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Calsvad, CA, USA