2012 BMW X3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 19%of 42 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,228miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2012 BMW X3, 19% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,228 miles. 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.
“I was have issues with the vehicle hesitating and jerking, and generally not operating as expected. I took it in to be checked as I was concerned for operating it safely. The dealership indicated that it requires a software patch, as their is a code error, but they will only fix it if I pay for the patch. I told them that if it is a patch that seems like a recall - software is not hardware, software does not just stop working if it is good to begin with. …”
NHTSA complaint #11071681, filed 2018-02, 60,300 miles“We stopped for a light and the car started to accelerate while your foot is on the brake. The RPM gauge went up to around 3500 and the car was extremely hard to keep from going forward. This happened several times, the car was brought in for diagnostics but they could not find anything wrong. It happened recently and we are taking the car in again to try to resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10508349, filed 2013-04, 10,000 miles“Spontaneous engine fire while parked on a city street. Coolant pump replaced the morning of nov 8th 2017. One hour after picking up the vehicle from the dealer and a few short trips, vehicle was parked, shut off and locked. It drove normally and there were no warning lights. 15-20 min later engine was on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11045098, filed 2017-11, 48,130 miles“Situation when starting a cold engine, a 'plume of blue smoke' can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-20 seconds. There is no engine malfunction light illuminated (no' turbocharger boost faults are stored) and no drivability issues are detected. Cause when the vehicle is parked overnight the engine oil pressure will equalize, this may cause engine oil to leak past the turbocharger 'exhaust side' turbine seal due to carbonization of the turbocharger sealing ring. …”
NHTSA complaint #11337907, filed 2020-07, 84,100 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Bmw X3. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the bolt housing for the cam shaft detached and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11081361, filed 2018-03, 95,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10162399Jul 10, 2019N20 Engine: Ticking Noise from High-pressure Fuel Pump. The customer complains of a high-frequency ticking noise from the engine compartment. The noise can be heard inside and…
- 10163029Jun 1, 2019N55 ENGINE: FC 28A0 OR 101F01 THROTTLE VALVE OPENING ANGLE. The engine malfunction warning is illuminated and one of the following fault codes are stored in the DME shortly after…
- 10163027Jun 1, 2019ENGINE VIBRATIONS OR NOISE This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 01 19 dated February 2019.
- 10160348Apr 1, 2019VEHICLE DOES NOT START BATTERY TOTALLY DISCHARGED This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B61 04 19 dated March 2019.
- 10154818Feb 1, 2018N20 AND N26 ENGINES TURBOCHARGER ELECTRIC WASTEGATE ACTUATOR LINKAGE PIN CORROSION This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 14 17 dated February 2018.
- 10154817Feb 1, 2018ENGINE VIBRATIONS OR NOISE. One of the following complaints may be reported The engine runs erratically; The engine causes vibrations when running; Grinding noise from the engine…
- 10135019Feb 1, 2018Engine Oil Quick Reference Chart and Drain Plug Torque: The current version of ISTA/D has an error in the engine oil capacity specification for all vehicles with the N63R engine…
- 10135011Feb 1, 2018ENGINE CAMSHAFT (VANOS) ADJUSTMENT UNITS: BMW of North America, LLC (ÒBMW NAÓ) is extending the limited warranty for the Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units on certain model BMW…
- 10149232May 1, 2017"VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN 17E-A02 - REPLACE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FILTER AND NVLD SENSOR HOLDER This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B16 01 17 dated March 2017…
- 10146535Feb 1, 2017"? NO REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B18 03 10 dated November 2010. . The Service Engine Soon lamp is…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 4 | 11% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 4 | 27% |
| 2022 | 11 | 13% |
| 2021 | 23 | 20% |
| 2020 | 26 | 24% |
| 2019 | 35 | 20% |
| 2018 | 16 | 21% |
| 2017 | 17 | 18% |
| 2016 | 13 | 16% |
| 2015 | 29 | 28% |
| 2014 | 19 | 22% |
| 2013 | 147 | 65% |
| 2012 | 8 | 19% |
| 2011 | 31 | 27% |
| 2010 | 6 | 19% |
| 2009 | 2 | 11% |
| 2008 | 16 | 24% |
| 2007 | 25 | 26% |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW X3
12 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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