2013 BMW X3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 27%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 BMW X3, 27% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“My vehicle has 98,902 miles and I have been getting a 'drivetrain malfunction' error message while driving on the highway. I took the car to two mechanics and was told that I needed to replace the timing chain. After doing some research to figure out what this issue is, I found countless forums of other owners having the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11310686, filed 2020-02, 98,000 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 miles“Faulty timing chain and guides. Bmw is already aware of this issues with the n20 type of engine and extended out a warranty many of the vehicles but most of the timing chain fail just after the 70k mile limit imposed in the extension. Bmw offered me no help in this matter and I had to pay out of pocket for a repair on a vehicle that should have been repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11150817, filed 2018-11, 96,000 miles“The vehicle has been to shop 2 times.1st drivetrain light came on and car would slow down in the middle of the highway.then it would totally stop. 2nd time it did the same thing except oil pressure light came on saying pressure too low and it stopped right there in the middle of the street. Now the oil pressure light comes on every time I drive it. I'm afraid it will stop in the middle of the highway again.”
NHTSA complaint #11378136, filed 2020-12, 87,530 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10204656Sep 1, 2021With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Gelis, et al. v…
- 10203331Sep 1, 2021BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the engine timing chain and oil pump drive chain modules to: 7 years/70,000 miles as determined by the…
- 10179810Aug 1, 2020N20 and N26 Differential Pressure Sensor Fault: 195002 Stored in DME: The Service Engine Soon (MIL) light is on with the following differential pressure sensor fault stored…
- 10174009Apr 1, 2020TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B34 05 17 dated September 2017. Ticking noise coming from…
- 10162396Jul 9, 2019N52T / N55 with 8HP45: Delay in Engine Response. A customer may complain of a delay in engine response after decelerating at low road speeds and then reaccelerating. This can…
- 10151077Feb 1, 2016This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 12 33 14 dated December 2015. SUBJECT Fault Code 1D2008 Stored in DME. The Service Engine Soon light is on. Fault Code 1D2008: Map…
- 10147241Sep 1, 2015Shudder from the Driveline on Vehicles with xDrive. There is a shudder or vibration from the driveline when taking off from a stop, or when accelerating at highway speeds. CAUSE…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 11% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 9 | 10% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 14 | 13% |
| 2019 | 7 | 4% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 9 | 11% |
| 2015 | 9 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 7% |
| 2013 | 60 | 27% |
| 2012 | 7 | 17% |
| 2011 | 23 | 20% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 5 | 8% |
| 2007 | 6 | 6% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 | 11 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2013 BMW X3
147 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 30, 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