2015 BMW X3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 28%of 105 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the engine of the 2015 BMW X3, 28% of the 105 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When rainy day , my car sometimes came out smoke on a city street. I took into different Bmw dearler, but they claim that is the design of the car, because the aviator too close when raining it will came out smoke. I recorded and show to the service advisor and he show it to the mechanic and he told me that is what the mechanic told him.”
NHTSA complaint #10870053, filed 2016-05, 33,400 miles“Bmw diesel recall - while driving on highway my vehicle caught fire and burned. The car is a total loss. There was no warning lights when the car was started to indicate anything was wrong. The car lost power at 72 MPH and my husband was able to get the car to the shoulder of the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11142552, filed 2018-10, 76,000 miles“On march 4, 2018, while at a red light at an intersection in boca raton, fl, all of sudden, no warning, my Bmw X3 started to smell of smoke, then smoke started to come out of the hood. I had to barely make it to the side of the road, leave it at an entrance of a plaza, which then began to smoke overwhelmingly. Once I made it out of the car, the flames came out of the hood and the car became fully engulfed within seconds.”
NHTSA complaint #11076341, filed 2018-03, 90,000 miles“There were a total of 4 incidences. 2/21/15 took Bmw X3 xdrive28i to dealer with 112 miles on car, after car engine revved higher as I was coming down a hill to a complete stop. I had to practically stand on the brake for car to stop. Acceleration lasted about 4 seconds after stopping. Had to keep my foot on brake during that time. It happened a second time on the way to dealer; going up a slight hill, while coming to a complete stop. Prior to the above date, on 2/16/15, car also accelerated by itself while driving about 55 MPH on the highway. I had to step on break to slow down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10693873, filed 2015-03, 112 miles“I have a diesel that the scr tank that holds the diesel emission fluid has a faulty level sensor p203e error code. A. Check engine iight is always on. Bmw has extended warranty of 10 yr/120,000 miles. Several of the diesel Bmw have this tank aspart of the extended warranty but not mine. Light has been on for a year.”
NHTSA complaint #11416336, filed 2021-05, 81,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11021799Aug 8, 2025The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 25 years without mileage limit as determined from…
- 10175268Apr 1, 2020Diesel Engine Intake Manifold Damaged: If Recall Campaign 18V-755: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler Inspection (and repair) (SI B11 17 18) applies and shows open on an…
- 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.
- 10160239Apr 1, 2019N47T/N57T DIESEL PARTICULATE SENSOR: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120000 MILEAGE This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 04 18 dated April 2018.
- 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…
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 2015 BMW X3
26 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 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