2004 BMW X3 engine problems

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 168,000 miles · WI · fire

Check oil light came on so vehicle was pulled to the side of the road. Within seconds, smoke had engulfed the engine bay. The entire vehicle was engulfed in flames within a few minutes.

Filed Feb 15, 2020 · Engine · 200,000 miles · MI · crash

While sitting at a red light the car suddenly accelerated and I couldn't control it or stop it while pushing heavily on the brake pedal. I hit the car in front or me. This has happened more than once.

Filed Jan 19, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 155,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw x3. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and was unable to restart on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. Burdick bmw (5947 e circle dr, cicero, ny 13039, (315) 459-6000) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jun 6, 2015 · Engine · 122,000 miles · WA

The engine mount bracket bolts have all sheared off inside the engine block causing a safety concern with the engine not being fully supported. This problem is not an isolated incident, but rather very common on all x3 models. The internet is full of customer complaints with the same problem. I am the second owner of the car and just after purchase I found the problem. It would appear that this failure occurred a long time ago, consistent with the numerous complaints of failure at 60,000 miles. This is a design flaw and bmw should have provided a long term solution. Yet to this day, none exists. Replacement bolts will still have the same failure mode.

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 170,000 miles · NY

After just spending $2400 last week on my car. I was traveling 65 MPH on interstate 78 when my 2004 bmw x3 lost all power. I was lucky enough to glide my car from the left lane to the right shoulder. I tried to start the car again and all the lights on the dashboard kept flashing on & off and car would not start. As I sat in my car on barely a shoulder 18 wheeler's and cars flew by me shaking my car. I seriously thought I was going to die.

Filed Aug 12, 2012 · Engine · 20,206 miles · IL

Driving in neighborhood with stop signs and cross streets. Spouse driving. Other passenger in front. Me in rear seat pass side. 10 min into trip. Approaching stop sign, a few seconds after brake initially applied, engine begins to rev. Heavy braking stops vehicle, but engine still revving. From back seat, I have clear view of driver's feet and can see that problem is not misapplication of pedals. Can also see that hand position is "10 & 2" and not near cruise control buttons driver turns off engine to stop revving. We check floor mats to see if this was problem. They were normal position and not near accelerator pedal. When engine restarted, problem disappears. Frightening incident. There was a pedestrian in crosswalk who walked in front of vehicle while this happened.

Filed Feb 2, 2012 · Engine · AK

While driving at freezing temperature, white smoke came from the engine room. I stopped the engine and found huge leak of oil from the valve cover. I needed to add 1 quart oil which mean 1 quart of oil was leaked out. I had a mechanic look at it and was told that the leak was caused by freezing oil separator. Since the oil separator was designed incorrectly, it stops working by the frozen condensate in cold climate. And, it cause high pressure in the crankcase and consequently oil leak through the valve cover gasket. The problem may cause a complete engine failure.

Filed Jan 31, 2012 · Engine · 106,000 miles · OR

Faulty oil seperator - chronic problems.

Filed Aug 24, 2011 · Engine · 58,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw x3. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall while driving at various speeds. The service engine and eml lights would also illuminate on the instrument panel during the failures. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who advised the contact to replace the dme module. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000 and the current mileage was 59,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2011 · Engine · 80,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 bmw x3. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Upon restart, the contact was able to continue driving. Approximately ten minutes later while driving 40 MPH, the failure occurred again. The brake, 4x4, and fuel lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to drive upon restart. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the digital engine management control was defective. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 80,000.