The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light and drivetrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the positive battery terminal motherboard had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
2013 BMW X3 electrical problems
29 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 86,947.
- owner complaints
- 29
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 86,947
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- 12v/24v/48v battery1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
BMW X3 electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 BMW X3 electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring: connectors/plugs/receptacles
- What is wrong
- BMW 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 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 24V608000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 X3 xDrive 28i/35i vehicles manufactured February 11, 2013, through February 27, 2013. Due to a production process error, the tear seam on the instrument panel was not manufactured correctly.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the air bag could improperly deploy, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the air bag's protection and increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger. In addition, parts or fragments from the air bag system could strike and injure the front passenger or other vehicle occupants.
- Remedy
- BMW has notified owners and dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Recall number 13V570000 · Recall details
What 2013 BMW X3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact's daughter owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer found no signs of contamination and installed a water pump connector cap. The contact stated that a month after the repair, the engine was overheating while idling, and there was while smoke coming from the engine with an unknown warning light on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the water pump and the battery were replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the water pump connector cap was faulty and had caused the failure. The contact was reminded by his wife of the water pump recall and that the connector cap was replaced due to the recall. Despite the repair, the vehicle shut off soon after starting the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a BMW specialist, who discovered that an antifreeze leak had caused corrosion of several electrical wires inside the engine. The specialist informed the contact that the vehicle needed two engine wiring harnesses, an engine computer, and an IVM (Integrated Supply Module). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact filed paperwork online to be reimbursed for the repairs made to the vehicle. The manufacturer denied the reimbursement because the vehicle had been serviced by an independent mechanic and not a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, smoke was noticed leaking from under the hood. The contact stated that after she opened the hood, the vehicle caught on fire. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that she and a neighbor had extinguished the fire utilizing a fire extinguisher. No police report was filed. The fire department did not arrive on scene. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was not deemed a total loss. The contact was burned on her hand however, she did not seek medical attention. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that spark plug wires and other unknown parts were burned. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously seen by a local dealer for recall repair; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed with any recall-related failures and was diagnosed as needing a timing change replacement. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated that the owner received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that while her mother was driving 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked, with an abnormal sound coming from the engine before the engine seized. The message "Service Engine" was displayed. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart; however, an abnormal sound was coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had received the notification after the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,262.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that for the past several months the vehicle needed several attempts before the vehicle started. The contact called a dealer and was informed that parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The vehicle displayed a message to reduce the speed as the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact merged to the side of the road and contacted a tow truck company; however, before the tow truck arrived, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with turbo failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. On another occasion, the failure recurred, and the failure became more frequent. The contact received the notification, and the vehicle was then taken to a dealer; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
There has been no communication from bmw regarding the engine coolant pump recall besides the initial notice of the recall. I have not been able to drive my vehicle for almost 3 months because the engine coolant pump could leak onto electrical components and cause a fire. I have been unable to obtain a loaner vehicle during this time and this is affecting my livelihood.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the engine overheating warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor in the cabin of the vehicle. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that low oil pressure had damaged the engine and the entire engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW X3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owned a 2013 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered a fire on the water pump. The fire spread throughout the entire vehicle causing major cosmetic damage. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop where it was determined that the vehicle was totaled. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Questions about the 2013 BMW X3 electrical
Does the 2013 BMW X3 have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 29 complaints about the electrical of the 2013 BMW X3, 13% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2013 BMW X3 electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 86,947 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 BMW X3 electrical?
Yes, 2 recalls: 24V608000, 13V570000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW X3 have the most electrical problems?
The BMW X3 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2019 (47 complaints), 2020 (35 complaints) and 2021 (35 complaints).
Other 2013 BMW X3 problems
Engine 159Transmission 60Brakes 19Fuel system 17Acceleration 12Airbags 8Steering 6Body 3Lights 2Seat belts 2Seats 2Visibility 2Suspension 1Tires 1Wheels 1
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