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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2014 BMW X3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
7%of 86 total for the year
Median mileage
46,105miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2014 BMW X3, 7% of the 86 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,105 miles.

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.

“Bought a new 2014 Bmw X3. In november 2014 without any warning, this SUV had a mechanical breakdown in the middle of the street. This vehicle controlled itself, I was not in control of this vehicle. For more than half an hour, the truck was jerking hard back and forth if I took my foot off the brakes. The wheels were not moving any time. I could not exit this vehicle because the body was jerking. I thought about jumping out but I didn't know if the vehicle would hit someone or I would have been hit by another vehicle, hurt from jumping and falling, etc. …”

NHTSA complaint #10670308, filed 2015-01, 22,769 miles

“I am filing a safety complaint regarding a catastrophic timing chain failure on my 2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i equipped with the N20 engine. While driving, the timing chain and oil pump drive chain failed without warning. This is a well-documented defect on BMW N20/N26 engines that has been the subject of extended warranties and numerous consumer complaints. This failure can cause sudden engine seizure, immediate loss of power steering and braking assist, and creates a serious risk of crash while the vehicle is in motion. …”

NHTSA complaint #11732798, filed 2026-04

“Had an oil change through BMW with their pre-packaged oil service. 6 days later my oil pump chain guard broke inside the engine and now they're telling me I need a new engine which cost $33,000. I believe the chain guard was either broken during the time of their possession or they could at least have told me that the chain guard was cracked or broken when they did the oil change by looking down the oil cap. They explained to me looking inside the oil cap is how they know the guard has broken and the chain has stretched. …”

NHTSA complaint #11757157, filed 2026-08

“I have a 2014 X3 xDrive28i with 114, 000 miles. On August 4th 2024 while I was going 15 miles per hour on a residential road, when my iDrive instrument notification panel displayed drivetrain malfunction! pullover shut off engine . I immediately came to a stop and turned off the engine, I was unable to re-start it afterwards. I had it towed to my local Ralley BMW dealer, where it then restarted after being removed from the flatbed tow truck. They were unable to determine the cause of the issue. They did a software update and told me that was probably all it was. …”

NHTSA complaint #11619815, filed 2024-10

“The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted into neutral(N), and the engine seized. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. …”

NHTSA complaint #11593516, filed 2024-06, 110,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025411%
2024410%
202316%
2022910%
202154%
20201413%
201974%
201823%
201722%
2016911%
201599%
201467%
20136027%
2012717%
20112320%
2009316%
200858%
200766%
200611%
200544%
2004118%

Other parts of the 2014 BMW X3

Electrical system
30 complaints
Engine
19 complaints
Engine cooling
19 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Air bags
9 complaints
Other or unknown
9 complaints
Exterior lighting
7 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Electronic stability control
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2014 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