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 2011 BMW X3. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to overheat. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called BMW of concord at (925) 682-3577 (located at 1967 market St, concord, ca 94520) and was informed that they only would repair what was listed in NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 59,246.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of the time for the recall repair. Dreyer & reinbold BMW (9375 whitley drive, indianapolis, in 46240, 317-573-4421) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. 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.
TL-contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. Vehicle was bought used last year. Contact went online and saw two recalls on vehicle. Contact called BMW and BMW dealership stated they are not responsible for a previous recall. Contact had a vaccum oil leak in car due to PCV valve leak. BMW dealership stated PCV valve was already replaced on vehicle. Recall states remedy not yet available. Contact given number to BMW. 2 recalls associated with this VIN May 19,2016 manufacturer recall number na NHTSA recall number 16V333 recall status recall incomplete summary isofix bracket: Vehicles have been equipped with lower anchor bars for use in attaching child restraint systems which, if specifically used with european-isofix-type rigid-style connector child restraint systems, could become damaged during vehicle operation. Safety risk if the lower anchor bar(s) become damaged during vehicle operation, this would increase the risk of injury to a child in a child restraint system attached to the lower anchor bars in a crash. Remedy the remedy is available. A reinforcing bracket will be welded to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body. Oct 30,2017 manufacturer recall number na NHTSA recall number 17V683 recall status recall incomplete, remedy not yet available summary positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve heater : this recall involves an engine component known as the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve heater. The PCV valve heater may not have been produced to specifications. Over time, it could deteriorate and, in rare cases, could lead to overheating. Safety risk if overheating occurs, then in rare cases, this could lead to melting of the PCV valve. In extremely rare cases, this could lead to a fire.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts and the following warning message appeared: "drive train malfunction not running at full capacity, reduce and drive moderately". the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the battery needed replacement and the vanos malfunctioned. The independent mechanic replaced the battery and advised the contact to call a local BMW dealer to have the vehicle serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V176000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer was not contacted because the vehicle was unable to start and due to bad weather. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
- Springfiled, NJ, USA
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The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. While driving at unknown speeds, the accelerator pedal was applied and the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, when the temperature gauge increased, there was an abnormal squealing noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
BMW's use electric water pumps compared to mostly belt driven pumps used by other manufactures. In the BMW community it is widely know that the pumps will fail after 60,000 miles, and some even sooner. BMW knows about this issue and has in fact changed the design and the vendor supplier for this part. The company should voluntarily recall all vehicles that have the faulty pump design and reimburse those who have had to change it out of warranty on their own expense. BMW has not taken any responsibility but its a safety issue as one can loose all engine power that puts the car in a limp mode, imagine if that happens on a freeway where other cars might hit you for going at 25 mph in a 65-70 mph zone in California. That is what happened to me on a freeway and it was scary and I was lucky enough to get to the side of the road as traffic was very light that day being christmas. Blog after blog on BMW describes this issue and is a known defect in their water pumps amongst all BMW enthusiasts.
I took my car in for an oil change and was called back by the auto place and was told that, while they were test driving the vehicle it had a major engine faliure, resulting in them having to tow the car and was told that the timing chain had broken and there was massive damage internally to the engine, valves had been bent due to failure. I have spoken to BMW but have not gotten any relief. It is important to mention that this car only has 65,000 miles on it. This faliure is insane and BMW is not willing to honor anything.
Vehicle is parked on driveway the engine started. Drivetrain malfunction shows with check engine light on. Engine starts but can not put it drive or reverse
The contact owns a 2011 bmx X3. While parked, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, a message in the instrument panel indicated that the maximum drive train output was not available. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
A quick acceleration from zero, at about 25 mph there was a loud noise from the engine. It sounded like a spring being unwound. No lights came on, however I called service center at dealership where I purchased it. I was told if no warning lights on, then everything must be ok. A few minutes later the engine light came on and a warning was displayed on the screen: "drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Have your system checked at your service center." I called back to service center and was told it was safe to drive home as it was in limp mode. Called BMW assist and they came and got vehicle. Once at service center they stated the clamp holding the air intake for the turbo had come off. They put clamp back on.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Richards, CA, USA