Skip to content
EnginePart report

2004 BMW X3 Engine Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
4%of 138 total for the year
Median mileage
161,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2004 BMW X3, 4% of the 138 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 161,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“While sitting at a red light the car suddenly accelerated and I couldn't control it or stop it while pushing heavily on the brake pedal. I hit the car in front or me. This has happened more than once.”

NHTSA complaint #11309334, filed 2020-02, 200,000 miles

“After just spending $2400 last week on my car. I was traveling 65 MPH on interstate 78 when my 2004 Bmw X3 lost all power. I was lucky enough to glide my car from the left lane to the right shoulder. I tried to start the car again and all the lights on the dashboard kept flashing on & off and car would not start. As I sat in my car on barely a shoulder 18 wheeler's and cars flew by me shaking my car. I seriously thought I was going to die.”

NHTSA complaint #10653915, filed 2014-11, 170,000 miles

“The engine mount bracket bolts have all sheared off inside the engine block causing a safety concern with the engine not being fully supported. This problem is not an isolated incident, but rather very common on all X3 models. The internet is full of customer complaints with the same problem. I am the second owner of the car and just after purchase I found the problem. It would appear that this failure occurred a long time ago, consistent with the numerous complaints of failure at 60,000 miles. This is a design flaw and Bmw should have provided a long term solution. …”

NHTSA complaint #10723743, filed 2015-06, 122,000 miles

“Driving in neighborhood with stop signs and cross streets. Spouse driving. Other passenger in front. Me in rear seat pass side. 10 min into trip. Approaching stop sign, a few seconds after brake initially applied, engine begins to rev. Heavy braking stops vehicle, but engine still revving. From back seat, I have clear view of driver's feet and can see that problem is not misapplication of pedals. Can also see that hand position is 10 & 2 and not near cruise control buttons driver turns off engine to stop revving. We check floor mats to see if this was problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10470300, filed 2012-08, 20,206 miles

“Check oil light came on so vehicle was pulled to the side of the road. Within seconds, smoke had engulfed the engine bay. The entire vehicle was engulfed in flames within a few minutes.”

NHTSA complaint #11338163, filed 2020-07, 168,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202615%
2025411%
2024614%
2023427%
20221113%
20212320%
20202624%
20193520%
20181621%
20171718%
20161316%
20152928%
20141922%
201314765%
2012819%
20113127%
2010619%
2009211%
20081624%
20072526%
200664%
200555%
200464%

Other parts of the 2004 BMW X3

Seats
33 complaints
Air bags
32 complaints
Electrical system
18 complaints
Engine cooling
11 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
11 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints
Steering
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 BMW X3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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