2016 BMW X3 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 22%of 82 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2016 BMW X3, 22% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owned a 2016 BMW X3. The contact stated that while parking in the garage, the warning message engine overheated had displayed, but the temperature gauge displayed a normal temperature reading. The contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood before entering the home, along with a strange sound. Moments later, the contact returned to the garage and discovered flames coming from under the front end of the vehicle. The contact quickly drove the vehicle out of the garage onto the driveway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11695769, filed 2025-10, 220,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a burning odor inside the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that parts to repair the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. …”
NHTSA complaint #11622256, filed 2024-10, 99,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn to the left or the right. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle loss automotive power on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to the local Midas where the battery was replaced; however, the failure occasionally reoccurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. …”
NHTSA complaint #11629012, filed 2024-12, 100,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact stated while cold starting the vehicle, there was significant amounts of white and blueish smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the turbocharger, and that the turbo charger oil supply lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11542778, filed 2023-09, 70,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11633605, filed 2025-01Related recalls
- 24V608000Aug 13, 2024BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018…Covers: BMW X3 2013–2017, 528I 2012–2016, 328I 2012–2016 +8 more
- 18V755000Oct 25, 2018BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016…Covers: BMW X3 2015–2017, 328D 2013–2018, X5 2014–2017 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10249439Jan 23, 2024The vehicle demonstrates a power loss and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on. The following fault codes may be stored in the DDE: 24CE00 Hot film air mass meter: Ratio of…
- 10245364Nov 16, 2023Diesel fuel injectors: ltd wty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles
- 10215746May 1, 2022Component specific limited warranty extension. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle Nitrogen Oxide…
- 10204534Oct 1, 2021For the above-referenced vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the engine timing chain and oil pump drive chain modules to: 7…
- 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…
- 10204619Jul 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…
- 10186213Dec 1, 2020N20 AND N26 ENGINE TIMING CHAIN AND OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN: Whining noise from the lower engine area near the engine oil pump that increases frequency when increasing the engine…
- 10177615Jun 1, 2020N47T/N57T EGR COOLER LTD WTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS WITHOUT MILEAGE LIMIT: The vehicle demonstrates a power loss and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on. The intake manifold…
- 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…
- 10172490Feb 1, 2020Fault Code 1D2008 Stored in DME: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 5) replaces SI B12 33 14 dated February 2016. The Service Engine Soon light is on. There may also be…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 7 | 4% |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 22 | 24% |
| 2016 | 18 | 22% |
| 2015 | 15 | 14% |
| 2014 | 19 | 22% |
| 2013 | 13 | 6% |
| 2012 | 2 | 5% |
| 2011 | 24 | 21% |
| 2010 | 14 | 44% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 15 | 23% |
| 2007 | 16 | 16% |
| 2006 | 4 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 BMW X3
23 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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