There are 5 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2015 BMW X3in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Drivetrain malfunction light due to bad EGR valve, which is causing car to run rough. Currently there is safety recall out for the EGR cooler. BMW of Bloomfield diagnosed and recommended EGR valve replacement but cost was excessive at over $1,100. Another BMW specialist (G&T in Jersey City) recommended replacement of EGR valve and cooler due to potential hazardous conditions described in safety recall but said I shouldn't have to pay due to safety recall. So I called BMW dealers in Bloomfield and Springfield both say the "remedy is not available". So am I just supposed to drive the car until it catches fire? This seems reckless so my other option is to pay the mechanics to replace the system that is already subject to a recall.
I RECENTLY SUBMITTED COMPLAINT 11219776. I DIDN'T HAVE VIN INFO. NOW I DO AND INCLUDED IN THIS COMPLAINT SO CONSIDER DELETING 11219776. HOWEVER. THE DETAILS ARE SAME. AT STOPPED POSITION IN DRIVE SELECTION, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO PARK. DOESN'T HAPPEN IN SPORT MODE NOR VERY FREQUENTLY IN STANDARD DRIVE. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE OF THE CAR SHIFTING ON OWN DUE TO A UNKNOWN PROBLEM IS A SAFETY CONCERN. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM IRVINE CA BMW. CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT A FEW TIMES AT ENCINITAS BMW WITH NO ROOT CAUSE IDENTIFIED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVETRAIN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BMW OF TENAFLY, 301 COUNTY RD, TENAFLY, NJ 07670) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVETRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP ON CITY STREET, UNCOMMANDED ENGINE ACCELERATION OCCURS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BRAKE TO A STOP. ADDITIONALLY, TRANSMISSION HAS SELF-SELECTED "SPORT MODE" IN THE COURSE OF DRIVING AND HAS, WHILE IDLING IN DRIVE, SELF-SELECTED "PARK" MODE.
UNCOMMANDED ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP: WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP AT A STOPLIGHT WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGED VIOLENTLY. I HAD TO APPLY FULL BRAKING PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, FIGHTING AGAINST THE POWER OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE TOOK MUCH LONGER THAN USUAL TO STOP.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026