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SteeringPart report

2013 BMW X3 Steering Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
3%of 226 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 2013 BMW X3, 3% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 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.

“Twice now while driving the car it just completely stopped. No warning at all. Just came to a complete stop as I was driving. There were no warning lights, just happened. The first time was on a busy road, the second was on a much less busy street close to my home. I had it fixed to the tune of over $3000 the first time a year and a half ago. Now my mechanic is telling me that it is the timing chain and oil pump drive and that will be a very expensive fix. I am beside myself. …”

NHTSA complaint #11366564, filed 2020-10, 111,000 miles

“While driving steering stopped working and became hard to steering , error -drive moderately , increased steering effort required on display , which was extremely difficult at slow speeds , definitely a safety issue”

NHTSA complaint #11246304, filed 2019-08, 74,000 miles

“While driving on the highway at 60-70 miles, the low oil pressure light came on, immediately followed by a drivetrain malfunction indicator light then car completely lost all power including breaks and steering. Luckily was able to pull over to a service lane. The car would not restart and had tow to the dealer. Dealer performed an oil analysis and found lots of metal shavings/particles in the oil which caused the engine to seize. Meanwhile the oil was just changed 3 weeks prior. Clearly this is manufacture defect. …”

NHTSA complaint #11119459, filed 2018-08, 86,000 miles

“Car was parked and when I came out of Walmart it was on fire coming from the steering box. I tried to put it out with my jacket but yellow fire was too much. Fire department came on scene as well as police. By stander had large thermos of coffee and extinguished the fire before fire truck arrived.”

NHTSA complaint #11455309, filed 2022-03

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026627%
2025821%
202425%
202317%
202233%
202154%
202022%
201911%
201879%
201722%
201634%
201511%
201445%
201363%
2012717%
20112119%
201026%
200812%
200722%
200522%
200454%

Other parts of the 2013 BMW X3

Engine
147 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
60 complaints
Electrical system
29 complaints
Brakes
19 complaints
Fuel system
17 complaints
Other or unknown
15 complaints
Engine cooling
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
12 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Seat 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 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