2013 BMW X3 Engine Problems

While driving my 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i under normal conditions, a “drivetrain malfunction” warning suddenly appeared, immediately followed by a “low oil pressure” warning. Within seconds, the engine lost all power and shut off completely while the vehicle was in motion. I had to coast and steer the car off the roadway and push it to safety with the help of others. My safety and the safety of other drivers were at risk due to the sudden and complete loss of propulsion in active traffic. An independent BMW-trained service center confirmed that the engine suffered catastrophic internal damage caused by failure of the timing chain system. This timing chain defect is well documented in BMW’s N20 engines and is the subject of a class action lawsuit. The vehicle is now completely undriveable and remains at the repair facility. Engine replacement is the only option and is estimated between $12,000–$15,000, far exceeding the value of the vehicle. The failed engine and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by an independent BMW specialist. BMW has not yet inspected the vehicle, although I did call and report to BMW North America. They have not responded to my numerous calls and outreach. No police or insurance representatives have inspected it because there was no collision, just sudden engine failure. There were no symptoms before the incident. The drivetrain and oil pressure warnings appeared only moments before the engine shut down. I had no opportunity to safely exit traffic before the vehicle lost power completely. This sudden failure due to a known engine defect presents a significant safety concern.

I own a 2013 BMW X3 equipped with the N20 engine. After approximately 17 months of ownership and only around 11,000 miles of normal driving, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete engine failure without warning. The independent diagnostic determined the failure was due to a timing chain and oil pump drive chain defect, which is a well-documented issue in BMW N20 engines. This defect has been acknowledged by BMW through Technical Service Bulletin SI B11 03 17 and the national class action settlement Bang v. BMW of North America. The defect causes premature wear and eventual breakage of the timing chain components, resulting in catastrophic engine damage. My vehicle is now inoperable, and the cost to repair exceeds $7,500 — far more than the vehicle’s value. There were no prior warning lights, noises, or messages. This sudden engine failure creates a safety risk, as the vehicle could lose power unexpectedly while driving. No authorized BMW dealer had ever performed timing chain replacement on this vehicle, and the issue was not disclosed at the time of sale. I am filing this complaint so NHTSA is aware of the widespread nature and serious safety implications of this defect.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, smoke was noticed leaking from under the hood. The contact stated that after she opened the hood, the vehicle caught on fire. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that she and a neighbor had extinguished the fire utilizing a fire extinguisher. No police report was filed. The fire department did not arrive on scene. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was not deemed a total loss. The contact was burned on her hand however, she did not seek medical attention. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that spark plug wires and other unknown parts were burned. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously seen by a local dealer for recall repair; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed with any recall-related failures and was diagnosed as needing a timing change replacement. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

The contact's daughter owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer found no signs of contamination and installed a water pump connector cap. The contact stated that a month after the repair, the engine was overheating while idling, and there was while smoke coming from the engine with an unknown warning light on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the water pump and the battery were replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the water pump connector cap was faulty and had caused the failure. The contact was reminded by his wife of the water pump recall and that the connector cap was replaced due to the recall. Despite the repair, the vehicle shut off soon after starting the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a BMW specialist, who discovered that an antifreeze leak had caused corrosion of several electrical wires inside the engine. The specialist informed the contact that the vehicle needed two engine wiring harnesses, an engine computer, and an IVM (Integrated Supply Module). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact filed paperwork online to be reimbursed for the repairs made to the vehicle. The manufacturer denied the reimbursement because the vehicle had been serviced by an independent mechanic and not a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that for the past several months the vehicle needed several attempts before the vehicle started. The contact called a dealer and was informed that parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine stalling and would not restart immediately while in traffic. I was able to get to side of road and restart engine after a few minutes. NHTSA campaign number: 23V707 should have covered the repair/replacement of vanos bolts. BMW is not authorizing the repair under the recall by excluding my VIN number form their voluntary recall.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, with the drivetrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a stretched timing chain. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

I had a terrible BMW X3 (2013) Engine timing chain failure leading to Engine failure (known BMW X3 N20 engine time chain and engine coolant pump defect). The Car is non drivable and had to be towed to BMW Cleveland dealership and should be available for inspection. While driving on busy [XXX] , suddenly showed “low coolant” indicator and yellow engine light which turned red after sometime and the car stalled complelely on the road that caused huge safety risk for me the driver and incoming traffic. Had to call 911 to help manage incoming traffic and help with towing the car to the dealership. Dealership reported engine timing chain and pump failure and recommending replacing them along with total engine replacement at a cost of $21000. There is also an open recall for this car, which was not fixed by the dealership (NHTSA Recall Number 24V608: ENGINE COOLANT PUMP) and I was told there is no remedy for this available. Due to the severe damage to car owing to faulty engine coolant pump and engine timing chain, I request NHTSA to order a recall and fix of all defective BMW 2013 X3 engines, coolant and fuel pumps by the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owned a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered a fire on the water pump. The fire spread throughout the entire vehicle causing major cosmetic damage. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop where it was determined that the vehicle was totaled. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the engine overheating warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that low oil pressure had damaged the engine and the entire engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown message displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the low brake fluid message displayed intermittently even when the brake fluid level was not low. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Purchased a used bmw x3 2013 about 2 years ago in may of 2023 since the beginning it was smoking and almost caught fire. I did open a case with the dealers commission / dmv to go after the mom and pop seller. But it was unfounded thankfully. It was at the dmv facility for a few months. Once it was unfounded in January of 2024 we immediately had it towed from the dmv inspections to bmw in Warwick . Where we were at first told it was a $5000 fix ( book value was only $9000 which we had paid $8000) then told it was a $7000 fix ended up being a $12,750 fix I was mortified but already too far in to do anything we were assured once the car came back it would have no lights on the dash and everything would be fixed and under warranty if anything did go wrong needless to say it took us months to come up w the $ that car sat there till may of 2024 as they was about 1/3 of my salary for the whole year . Needless to say we were paying monthly which was ok’d by the dealership . Once my wife went to pick it up immediately all lights were still on dash all same code service rep wasn’t there that day had to bring it back the next day for them to tell us it was something else causing that code and gave me a new estimate with some of the thing that we even just paid to repair on the new work order when my wife asked about it they said they would see if it was covered under warranty . We opened a case with bmw Warwick who did nothing but tell me to contact the corporate . October 2024 a recall was issued on the parts we supposedly just paid to fix bmw Warwick claimed there was a fuel leak and that’s what we paid to repair early but on the recall letter almost word for word it claims there was a coolant leak and could cause smoking an even in some cases a fire . From the same area of the vehicle that we just paid to repair which would explain why they “fixed it” and they were sure what happens . Less than a year later engine seized up same as before

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who had diagnosed that the turbo charger had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. After the repair was completed, the failure reoccurred, and the turbo charger failure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the turbo charger had failed, and that there was an oil leak due to the head gasket failure. The turbo charger and head gasket were repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Cold weather start camshaft adjuster bolt broke and seized camshaft in place. As a result the oiling system didn’t work properly and ruined the camshaft bearings and crankshaft and rod bearings. Replacement engine exceeds value of the car.

The timing chain guide broke while I was driving on the highway. The broken guide did not allow oil to lubricate the engine which destroyed the engine. BMW settled a class action lawsuit several years ago due to the premature failure of the primary and secondary timing chain assemblies for N20 & N26 engines. The time limit has expired for me to file a claim. However, owners of these vehicles should have been notified of this documented and potentially extremely hazardous problem. My guess is that there are thousands of these vehicles on the road with this defective part that could suddenly cause the engine to cease working, resulting in an accident that could cause injury or death.

The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The vehicle displayed a message to reduce the speed as the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact merged to the side of the road and contacted a tow truck company; however, before the tow truck arrived, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with turbo failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. On another occasion, the failure recurred, and the failure became more frequent. The contact received the notification, and the vehicle was then taken to a dealer; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Drive train warning goes off & the N20 timing chain belt needs replaced. Very dangerous when driving. Car goes in limp mode, not being able to go over 30th. Engine blows if not fixed immediately. Quoted 7,000-10,000 to fix. More than vehicle is worth. Happened 3 weeks after warranty expired. Has never failed inspection previously and havent any issues. Should be recalled for being a lemon. 2013 BMW x3 28i.

March 9, 2023 @ 7: 53 PM, timing chain failure. Mechanic confirmed March 10, 2023 at 11:10 AM. that I need a new engine due to this failure. Had oil changed less then 1000 miles prior to this failure. Never received recall notice for this timing chain issue, which is a class action lawsuit against BMW. My X3 has only 95000 miles on. The engine in my 2013 X3 is the N20 which is what this lawsuit is about. I was driving on a highway 60 MPH when "oil dangerously low, drive moderately, pull over and shut off engine warning appeared on dash. less than 30 seconds later "drivetrain malfunction" then appeared on dash. Engine stopped, the engine just stopped while I was going 60 MPH on a major highway. I was able to gradually coast off highway on the exit I was approaching. Coasted into a shopping plaza where auto stopped in the centre of the parking lot and stopped. Could not move it or get it out of park to push it out of the path of other cars entering and exiting the plaza. BMW should have notified me of this pending issue; they should be responsible for the repair of my X3.

THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON, IT WAS LATER DIAGNOSED AS THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY SCARY AS I WAS NOT CLOSE TO MY HOME. I LOOKED INTO THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY COMMON. IT IS A SHAME THAT THIS IS NOT AN ACTIVE RECALL. UP UNTIL THAT POINT THERE HAD BEEN NO ISSUES. THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE AND A TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, IT IS ALSO THE 3RD POWER TRAIN RELATED INCIDENT.