2011 BMW X3 SAV Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 31%of 13 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2011 BMW X3 SAV, 31% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The coolant system is giving me many problems. The coolant expansion tank developed cracks in the seam and leaking. The thermostat was stuck, causing zero heat into the cabin on a cold day. The vehicle stalled on its own while driving in the highway. It would not re start the ignition kept trying, and after 20 minutes stalled it finally started, limp driving to my house from there. . The display reads drive moderately /drivetrain malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #11184363, filed 2019-03, 64,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10940309, filed 2017-01, 67,700 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #10876485, filed 2016-06, 49,000 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 2011 BMW X3 SAV
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW X3 SAV
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology