2013 BMW X3 brakes problems

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Brakes · CA

My Brake Vacuum Pump is broken, with oil leaking into the vacuum reservoir. The brake distance is much longer. I searched the web and found out a lot of people had the same issue.

Filed Jul 29, 2021 · Brakes · FL

When driving and after using brakes, the brakes do not let off, they drag. I was driving on the highway, and had to slow down for traffic and the car would not accelerate.This happened several times and I brought it to a BMW repair shop. They diagnosed it to be the ABS pump, replaced it with a used one and I have not had any problems since. I have researched this issue and found others with like make & model have had similar problems. Since this could cause the vehicle to slow down without actually braking, I worry about someone hitting the car from the back because the brake lights don't come on when this happens.

Filed Feb 5, 2021 · Brakes · 48,888 miles · NC

While driving down business 40 going about 60 MPH, my car suddenly stopped in the left lane. The car was still running but it was as if someone had put on the brakes for me -- like a ghost in the machine. The car behind me was able to stop but within a couple of feet from rear ending me at a high speed. The cars behind him were swerving not to hit him. We are lucky it was not a multi car accident. I was able to get the car going by continuing to step on the accelerator. No lights on the dash came on not even a check engine light. I thought that perhaps I had done something to cause this and kept driving in the right lane at a lower speed. Then it happened again. Luckily no one was close behind me and this time I knew what was happening. I pulled over and put on my hazards and drove on the shoulder. The car was sputtering, the wheel was shaking. I pulled over and turned off the car. Let it rest and inspected the outside of the car. I went the next day to the bmw dealership -- they said to replace the brake calipers but I did not thing that was it --- as it seems almost like a force engaged the brakes, not that they failed. My foot had not been on the brakes when they engaged. I took it to another mechanic who was able to replicate this and said the car was unsafe to drive. I am only the 2nd owner and it has less than 50k miles. I then had it inspected at a different dealership who said it was the dsc which seems more likely as they were able to recreate the braking while driving. I then called bmw na who sent out and engineer but they are saying it is regular wear and tear on a car. This seems impossible to me. I have had brakes need replacing and rotors and nothing like this has ever happened. It was incredibly scary, and dangerous and I (and others) could have been seriously injured.

Filed Aug 29, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 97,000 miles · VA

August 10, 2020. I was driving to the store abut 10 miles from home on a major highway and my 2013 bmw x328i, suddenly started to go crazy in a manner that I never experienced before a lot of lights such as, (engine, ABS, dsc, dtc, brakes,powertrain, and stimulation. The vehicle became non-drivable and a safety hazardous in nature that it almost cause an accident. I act in a emergency state of mind and was able to pull into a nearby parking lot at 15315 merry cat ln, belle haven, va 23306. I proceeded in calling the aaa towing company to take the vehicle to my place of resident. *dt

Filed Aug 10, 2020 · Brakes · 72,500 miles · GA

On august 1st, we experienced a dangerous situation on the highway; the vehicle slowed down in traffic, hard jerking, smelled of burning fuel or fumes. We then took it to the bmw dealership in tallahassee which was two days after the incident. After they did a diagnostic on it, we were told it was a mechanical failure within the brake system and after they examined it and took it for a test drive, the brakes on both sides became extremely hot with extreme heat and smoking from both brakes. They explained the experience was very unusual and could have caused dangerous results on the road. We were told it wasn't in our best interests not to attempt to drive it more than 2 miles. We had no choice but to leave it across the street with carmax, the lien holder. Even though it is a manufacturer's issue the bmw dealership wouldn't help us unless we paid nearly 5k out of pocket. Carmax also wouldn't help unless we agreed to pay them as well. We are out of a major loss considering it's was defected by the manufacturer and we've only had the car 2 years. We were told we were lucky and that the tires would have caught on fire on the road.! We would appreciate your full investigation into this matter; we are not financially stable to incur such a financial loss as well as losing the vehicle. Thanks

Filed Jul 24, 2020 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · RI

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a vacuum pump failure. The mechanic linked the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v627000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. Bmw of warwick (1515 bald hill rd, warwick, ri 02886, (401) 298-9457) and the manufacturer were contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2020 · Brakes · 95,772 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x3. The contact stated that while in traffic on the freeway, the contact depressed the brake pedal which failed to engage properly as the pedal went to the floorboard. The vehicle was slowly driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred with the dsc, x5, trac control warning lights illuminated. Exclusively european (900 lansing dr, mount pleasant, sc 29464, (843) 856-3343) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v454000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,772. *ln*jb

Filed Aug 24, 2018 · Brakes · 58,500 miles · MD

The brakes are less or not responsive in city drive. I notified 3 times to dealer but they said no problem with the brakes. It must be something wrong in electronics. Alot of other owners of 2013 bmw x3 have same complaint. It is very risky. It happened 3 out of 4 times whike driving in 35 MPH limits. Though the brakes feel good at high speed or highway limits

Filed Mar 30, 2018 · Brakes · TN

2013 bmw x3. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle brake repairs not covered under extended warranty. *ld

Filed Feb 20, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 60,000 miles · MD

Last week when in city traffic, I depressed the brake to slow down, then lifted my foot off the brake. My car lurched forward and I immediately braked again to slow down and stop. This was not normal, had not happened before, and I decided to mention it during my next visit to bmw service. Last saturday, feb. 17, I was driving 20 -25 MPH in a neighborhood, approaching a red light on river rd, bethesda. There was one car at the light. I braked to slow down, and realized that the car was not slowing down, braked again and it lurched forward and accelerated. I saw the speed the speedometer moving between 20-25, and the tachometer varying wildly between 1.5 - 2.5. I pressed very hard on the brake, which was harder to press down than ever before, pressed the park button and finally got the car to go into park before I arrived at the stopped vehicle in front of me. This all happened in less than 10 seconds. I immediately called bmw and took my car in, explaining what happened, still very shaken and afraid to drive the car. Afterwards, I looked on the internet, and read about other 2013 x3 drivers with the same experience. It did not appear that bmw was able to replicate the problem or that they repaired the cars to fix the problem. One person did have an accident and totaled the car. Thus far, bmw has told me they cannot replicate the problem. I requested the service manager to get involved and will ask to speak to the factory rep as well. This is a major safety hazard putting my life and others at risk. It is not safe to drive my car. I would like to know how many similar complaints have been filed with the federal safety agency and what the federal safety agency has done to address this serious safety flaw.