The driver's seat heating element burned and damaged the skin of the seat and burned my back while driving in the city. I was so surprised when this happened that I jumped in the seat and caused an accident.

- Marietta, GA, USA

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

BMW has knowledge of various software issues, and if you the federal government, might urge them to make software updates readily accessible for, transmission, dme, egs, all there modules it would probably eliminate 80%of there complaints.

- Logansport, IN, USA

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

Turned on driver side seat heater and it burned a hole in the seat at the lower left side of the of the seat upright portion. Immediately turned off when smelled burning and felt extremely hot at lower back. Driver could have been burned. Saw many other complaints online for the exact same issue in the exact same location. This could seriously injure someone especially if it happens while driving in traffic.

- Edwardsville, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook and various warning indicators illuminated. The hazard lights were activated and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact also stated that a burning odor emitted through the vents. The contact waited for a moment, restarted the vehicle, and drove to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the crankcase needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- New York, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power, and the windshield wiper fluid and wheels seized. Various warning indicators were illuminated. Germain BMW of naples (11286 tamiami trail N, naples, fl) diagnosed that the transmission and drivetrain were defective and needed to be replaced. In addition, the windshield wiper pan was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

- Estero, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. When the vehicle was warming up, the contact stepped away for a few minutes. Upon returning, the interior was filled with smoke. The contact noticed that the front driver seat was burning. The contact turned the engine off and waited for the seat to cool down. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric wiring for the seat failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

- Huntingdon Valley, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3 sav. After a seat warmer was activated, the heat generated became so intense that it burned a hole in the seat, as well as the contact's jacket and jeans. There were no injuries. The contact was altered to the failure due to a burning odor. The failure occurred without warning. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the failure was caused by a faulty heating element and the seat would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Redmond, WA, USA

In cool climate on November 1, 2016. Turn on my heat seat, then I smelled something burned, then I felt sharp burn on left butt cheek. Then I knew something wrong with heat I turned off, , on November 7, 2016, I tried again, ,, burning smell is so bad, the heat still burned almost through out side layer of seat

- Norwich, CT, USA

BMW X3 heated seat burned hole through seat. If heated seat is turned on, visible sparks or fire will come through hole. Hole is directly below driver's left thigh. BMW has issued a recall for other models, but not the X3. The X3 is susceptible to the same issue.

- Austin, TX, USA

My 2007 BMW X3's driver side seat heater overheated while I was driving and burnt my thigh. I reacted to the burn and almost ran off the road. When I stopped I found a black burned spot on my seat. From my research it seems this has been a common problem with this model. I think the company should have to fix this problem before someone is hurt badly.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

Due to cold weather, engaged the driver side seat heater. Noticed a sharp pain in my leg and then began to smell and see smoke. Fortuneatly, I was quickly able to realize the seat heater appeared to have a short in it, and turned off before burning through the leather and setting my cloths on fire. I will be contacting my local BMW dealership to see what, if anything they are will to do. I feel there should be a recall before someone is seriuosly hurt or killed. The engine was idling when seat heater was on. I was backing out of driveway and driving down street when I noticed. If I would have had seat heater on and then stepped away from vehicle as it was warmimg up, I am confident the driver seat would have caught on fire or at least severly damaged it.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

While driving this morning the drivers side heated seat was in use since it was cold outside. I began to smell the oder of something burning and my left leg felt extremely warm. Not knowing what was burning I turned off my heated seat and my passengers seat which was occupied. I also turned off the vehicle heater and defrosters. Upon arrival at my destination I found that the drivers seat had two burn marks just above the electric seat controls where my leg was as I was positioned while driving.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

The car is equipped with seat heaters. One of the heating elements failed, overheated and burned through the seat surface. In doing research, this appears to be a problem with the vehicles. BMW did do a recall on the X5, but does not show a recall on the X3. On various sites, this issue has occurred many times with owners, some with the vehicle catching on fire. I found complaints on the following sites; carcomplaints.com, bimmerfest.com and arfc.org. Just on carcomplaints, this complaint is shown 23 times; madbury, nh, portland, or, westfield, in, derwood, md, tampa, fl, annapolis, md, louisville, ky, bergenfield, NJ, holderness, nh, Liberty township, oh, laurel, md, novi, mi, cromwell, ct, prairie village, ks, hillsborough, nc, daly city, ca, alexandria, va, saginaw, tx, bethesda. Md, pittsburg, pa, selah, wa. Same issue with each. BMW of North America was contacted and their response was "it's a part of wear and tear....no offer to assist" from BMW na. Yet, the issue has continued to arise and BMW na did replace the heater element and seat surface in some instances, making the replacement a matter of preference or discrimination, or dealer's opinion of the car owner versus correcting the manufacturing/design defect problem. I would request the assistance of NHTSA to review this matter and protect the public from hazardous over-heating/ fire threats. I was fortunate to have been just getting into the vehicle and smell the burning leather and turned off the seat heating system before a fire could occur.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

While driving smelled something burning and also realized my upper leg was in pain. Turned off the seat warmer and investigated after reaching my destination. There was a scorch mark in the seat near the bottom left bolster. Lucky this didn't cause a fire or bodily injury.

- Portland, OR, USA

Experiencing recurrent electrical issues including multiple episodes of complete loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking while driving at 15-25 mph. This includes an episode of the vehicle's engine cutting off without warning during a turn on a busy street resulting in immediate loss of power steering and brakes, nearly resulting in a head-on collision. Vehicle will restart immediately and without difficulty after incident occurs. Vehicle has also experienced multiple episodes of a battery drawing down voltage and non-start in the morning despite a new and fully charged battery. Battery has been replaced and problem persisted. Software was updated yet problem continues to persist. No issues found by mechanic.

- Augusta, GA, USA

I purchased the vehicle on February 07, 2014 and while driving home from work my vehicle started jerking. It would jerk really hard and when you would try to stop by pressing on the brake the vehicle would jerk harder as if it is about to break down. The second time was in April, I believe the 5th I was having the same problem and then several warning lights came on. I called the dealership and brought the car in. As soon as the service advisor checked on the vehicle she said the car is not drivable and how it is unsafe to drive. There was another problem with the vehicle. I brought the vehicle in may for an oil change but when I was driving the vehicle towards the end of June it said I was really low on oil. I went to turn the vehicle in and it would not start.

- Menifee, CA, USA

23 month old toddler gained access to vehicle keys and locked himself in with the remote key. After several attempts of him trying to open the doors with the door levers, they would not open. We had a lock smith attempt to unlock the doors by pushing the door lock/unlock button located on the upper center console, but this also didn't unlock the doors. The driver side door finally opened after pushing the center lock/unlock button and then pulling on the door lever two times to actually be able to unlock and open the driver door. This entry system requires the use of electrics prior to the mechanical system becoming active. This situation could be very dangerous during high temperature days if a person is locked inside and dangerous in the event of an escape if the electric system fails with the doors in the locked position.

- Martinsville , NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving with the heated seat warmer activated, the contact smelled a burning odor. The heated seat warmer had burned a hole through the driver's seat and the contact's pant leg, burning the contact. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 96,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Avoca , IN, USA