2013 BMW X3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 147about this part
- Share
- 65%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 147 complaints about the engine of the 2013 BMW X3, 65% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When at stop light the car stalls or when I'm at a stop sign stalls engine very dangerous and developed anxiety driving it, gust week oil can out back and odd engin sound making noise, it had to get towed but ira toyota suckered me. They can't get in the engine to inspect it. I can't drive it on highways at all scared it will engine stop”
NHTSA complaint #11402834, filed 2021-03, 55,000 miles“As I was driving on the highway, I had an alert that said drive train malfunction and the vehicle began to slow down. I quickly had to take the upcoming exit. As I was trying to change gears, the car remained in neutral and continued to drive slow. I was able to safely pull over and stop the car. At that point, the vehicle did not turn back on.”
NHTSA complaint #11341074, filed 2020-07, 92,700 miles“While driving on the highway low oil pressure light came on and the engine locked itself. Got towed to the dealer and was told timing chain problem and new engine potentially. After some research found the same incident happening to lots of people. I also found that there is an extended warranty on this 7/70,000. We were lucky to have 69,550 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11203362, filed 2019-04, 69,550 miles“As my wife and I were driving down the the busy highway, the vehicle went into neutral and the engine completely cut out. We luckily coasted to safety off the high shoulder--barely off the main traffic. The vehicle then went into park and would not start or shift into neutral, so we were stuck there until the tow truck came.”
NHTSA complaint #11311816, filed 2020-02, 92,000 miles“Drive train malfunction happened multiple times and the engine just stopped while driving at 55mph - the engine stopped completely in may 2018 and died. I took it into the dealership many times but they could not find out what was causing the problem. I no longer own the car because of the engine failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11387297, filed 2021-01, 85,000 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…
- 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…
- 10146534Feb 1, 2017"? DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) CLEANING . The following performance issues may be noticed by the customer: CC-Message ""Drive faulty"" Engine jerking or a lack of power over…
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 2013 BMW X3
60 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 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