2013 BMW X3: engine failure

Filed Jan 4, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

BMW knows there is a problem with the 2013 x3 timing chain. I have continuously had my BMW serviced at there shops. Never once when my car was in for service did they mention the issue or proactively check. My vehicle now has the issue per the dealership snd indicated it is approximately a 20k repair which they included a new engine. I also followed BMWs recommendation to have the oil changed 1year or when miles were hit per their change program. Just has the oil changed in November and at the end of December now timing chain issues. Again multiple times this issue could have been identified and proactively fixed while under warrenty. Also has issues where the material on the glove box peeled off. BMW is also aware of this issue. Poor design and quality on these models/engine. Thank goodness i was not on the expressway when drivabilty issuev occurred!!!

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Engine · MD

While driving my 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i under normal conditions, a “drivetrain malfunction” warning suddenly appeared, immediately followed by a “low oil pressure” warning. Within seconds, the engine lost all power and shut off completely while the vehicle was in motion. I had to coast and steer the car off the roadway and push it to safety with the help of others. My safety and the safety of other drivers were at risk due to the sudden and complete loss of propulsion in active traffic. An independent BMW-trained service center confirmed that the engine suffered catastrophic internal damage caused by failure of the timing chain system. This timing chain defect is well documented in BMW’s N20 engines and is the subject of a class action lawsuit. The vehicle is now completely undriveable and remains at the repair facility. Engine replacement is the only option and is estimated between $12,000–$15,000, far exceeding the value of the vehicle. The failed engine and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by an independent BMW specialist. BMW has not yet inspected the vehicle, although I did call and report to BMW North America. They have not responded to my numerous calls and outreach. No police or insurance representatives have inspected it because there was no collision, just sudden engine failure. There were no symptoms before the incident. The drivetrain and oil pressure warnings appeared only moments before the engine shut down. I had no opportunity to safely exit traffic before the vehicle lost power completely. This sudden failure due to a known engine defect presents a significant safety concern.

Filed Oct 7, 2025 · Engine · AR

I own a 2013 BMW X3 equipped with the N20 engine. After approximately 17 months of ownership and only around 11,000 miles of normal driving, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete engine failure without warning. The independent diagnostic determined the failure was due to a timing chain and oil pump drive chain defect, which is a well-documented issue in BMW N20 engines. This defect has been acknowledged by BMW through Technical Service Bulletin SI B11 03 17 and the national class action settlement Bang v. BMW of North America. The defect causes premature wear and eventual breakage of the timing chain components, resulting in catastrophic engine damage. My vehicle is now inoperable, and the cost to repair exceeds $7,500 — far more than the vehicle’s value. There were no prior warning lights, noises, or messages. This sudden engine failure creates a safety risk, as the vehicle could lose power unexpectedly while driving. No authorized BMW dealer had ever performed timing chain replacement on this vehicle, and the issue was not disclosed at the time of sale. I am filing this complaint so the federal safety agency is aware of the widespread nature and serious safety implications of this defect.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Transmission · NJ

I am submitting this report to highlight a serious safety defect involving premature timing chain failures in BMW vehicles. The case relates to a 2013 BMW X3, but the problem is widely documented across multiple BMW models from this production era. The timing chain is intended to last the lifetime of the engine. If it stretches, loosens, or fails, the engine can shut down immediately, causing sudden loss of power steering, power brakes, and overall control of the vehicle. This creates an extreme risk of accidents at highway speeds or in traffic. Unlike tires or brakes, this is not a normal wear component and should not fail under ordinary driving conditions. In this vehicle, the timing chain issue was identified at under 72,000 miles. A timing chain should last well over 400,000 miles under normal operation. The premature failure reflects a design flaw, not normal aging or maintenance. The vehicle had recently undergone major servicing at a BMW authorized dealer. At that time, the timing belt and other components were replaced at significant cost. The dealership did not disclose any timing chain concerns during that service. Only shortly afterward, during a recall-related visit, did they report that the timing chain required replacement, with a repair estimate of several thousand dollars. This matter was raised with BMW of North America, including a direct letter to its CEO. BMW acknowledged receipt but declined to take responsibility, treating the matter as outside warranty coverage rather than as a safety defect. The timing chain issue is widely reported, and BMW is aware of it. The sudden engine failure that can result from this defect presents a major safety hazard that warrants the federal safety agency’s attention.

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 116,262 miles · CA

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.

Filed May 14, 2025 · Engine · RI

Purchased a used bmw x3 2013 about 2 years ago in may of 2023 since the beginning it was smoking and almost caught fire. I did open a case with the dealers commission / dmv to go after the mom and pop seller. But it was unfounded thankfully. It was at the dmv facility for a few months. Once it was unfounded in January of 2024 we immediately had it towed from the dmv inspections to bmw in Warwick . Where we were at first told it was a $5000 fix ( book value was only $9000 which we had paid $8000) then told it was a $7000 fix ended up being a $12,750 fix I was mortified but already too far in to do anything we were assured once the car came back it would have no lights on the dash and everything would be fixed and under warranty if anything did go wrong needless to say it took us months to come up w the $ that car sat there till may of 2024 as they was about 1/3 of my salary for the whole year . Needless to say we were paying monthly which was ok’d by the dealership . Once my wife went to pick it up immediately all lights were still on dash all same code service rep wasn’t there that day had to bring it back the next day for them to tell us it was something else causing that code and gave me a new estimate with some of the thing that we even just paid to repair on the new work order when my wife asked about it they said they would see if it was covered under warranty . We opened a case with bmw Warwick who did nothing but tell me to contact the corporate . October 2024 a recall was issued on the parts we supposedly just paid to fix bmw Warwick claimed there was a fuel leak and that’s what we paid to repair early but on the recall letter almost word for word it claims there was a coolant leak and could cause smoking an even in some cases a fire . From the same area of the vehicle that we just paid to repair which would explain why they “fixed it” and they were sure what happens . Less than a year later engine seized up same as before

Filed Oct 28, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

I had a terrible BMW X3 (2013) Engine timing chain failure leading to Engine failure (known BMW X3 N20 engine time chain and engine coolant pump defect). The Car is non drivable and had to be towed to BMW Cleveland dealership and should be available for inspection. While driving on busy [XXX] , suddenly showed “low coolant” indicator and yellow engine light which turned red after sometime and the car stalled complelely on the road that caused huge safety risk for me the driver and incoming traffic. Had to call 911 to help manage incoming traffic and help with towing the car to the dealership. Dealership reported engine timing chain and pump failure and recommending replacing them along with total engine replacement at a cost of $21000. There is also an open recall for this car, which was not fixed by the dealership (the federal safety agency Recall Number 24V608: ENGINE COOLANT PUMP) and I was told there is no remedy for this available. Due to the severe damage to car owing to faulty engine coolant pump and engine timing chain, I request the federal safety agency to order a recall and fix of all defective BMW 2013 X3 engines, coolant and fuel pumps by the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 2, 2024 · Engine · IL

Cold weather start camshaft adjuster bolt broke and seized camshaft in place. As a result the oiling system didn’t work properly and ruined the camshaft bearings and crankshaft and rod bearings. Replacement engine exceeds value of the car.

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Engine · FL

It appears that BMW may be hiding a fact from customers and victims and refuses to issue a class action or address concerns for cars older than 2015. BMW NA’s negligence has caused too many hardships for many people and today is the day they need to stop; this company needs to be held responsible for its actions and stop blaming the consumer. As a result, you have been impacted by this issue with your 2013 BMW X3 i28 4-cylinder turbo with 70,383 miles, I purchased the vehicle with 56,832 miles on it. After owning the car for a year and a half (11/12/2020 – 07/14/2022) and only 13,551 miles driven, I was forced to voluntarily give it back to the finance company due to financial hardship caused by the car issues. The vehicle had oil issues on several occasions which I always ensured I had extra in my vehicle, however, since BMW NA offered no solutions to the N20 engine, the maintenance centers did nothing for a solution. As a 52-year-old male with disabilities, you relied on BMW for the maintenance of your car, which was serviced at a BMW service center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In June of 2022, I boarded the Autotrain from Florida to Virginia, this was to ensure I didn’t add more wear and tear, as well as mileage on my vehicle, it was cleared to travel a month earlier by BMW of Fort Lauderdale. While traveling from Buffalo, NY to Rhode Island on July 14th, 2022, the engine suddenly died on me while driving on the NYS Thruway, which could have been a potentially deadly situation. I had the car towed to Towne BMW in Williamsville, NY, where they conducted a diagnostic and claimed the problem was just the battery. However, the engine died again as soon as you left the dealership, and they claimed it had seized up. They refused to take responsibility and never provided a clear diagnosis of what they had done on both days. When I contacted BMW North America, they accused me of being negligent with your vehicle, despite having documentation from Fort Lauderdale BMW to p

Filed Mar 12, 2023 · Engine · MD

March 9, 2023 @ 7: 53 PM, timing chain failure. Mechanic confirmed March 10, 2023 at 11:10 AM. that I need a new engine due to this failure. Had oil changed less then 1000 miles prior to this failure. Never received recall notice for this timing chain issue, which is a class action lawsuit against BMW. My X3 has only 95000 miles on. The engine in my 2013 X3 is the N20 which is what this lawsuit is about. I was driving on a highway 60 MPH when "oil dangerously low, drive moderately, pull over and shut off engine warning appeared on dash. less than 30 seconds later "drivetrain malfunction" then appeared on dash. Engine stopped, the engine just stopped while I was going 60 MPH on a major highway. I was able to gradually coast off highway on the exit I was approaching. Coasted into a shopping plaza where auto stopped in the centre of the parking lot and stopped. Could not move it or get it out of park to push it out of the path of other cars entering and exiting the plaza. BMW should have notified me of this pending issue; they should be responsible for the repair of my X3.

Filed Feb 10, 2023 · Engine · FL

On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, my engine failed while driving my car. The answers to your questions regarding the incident are listed below: •Component or system that failed: The Engine failed. •Safety risk: My safety, as well as the safety of others was at risk. I was driving and suddenly without warning, I felt a strong jolt and noticed a loss of power. I looked down and noticed that my car shifted into neutral without warning. I tried to move the gear back into drive, but it would not shift. I had just enough power to glide into a parking lot and I turned the car off hoping I would restart it to place the car back into gear. After I turned the car off, it would not start and I had the car towed to the dealership. This is a dangerous safety issue and I could have been in a serious accident because my car suddenly stopped while driving. This could have placed other drivers at risk as well. After my incident, I researched the issue and discovered that other BMW X3 owners have had engine failures as well. This issue is known by BMW and they are putting their customers at risk by not issuing a recall for this problem. •Problem confirmed by dealer: Yes, the BMW dealership did confirm that it was an engine failure. Please see attached file for details. •Vehicle component been inspected: The vehicle has not been inspected by parties other than the dealership. •Prior warnings: Before my engine failed, I did not receive any warning lights or messages. Also, my car did not exhibit any other symptoms. In fact, my car was repaired for another issue two weeks before my engine failed and the dealership did not alert me to any engine issues. Lastly, they ran a diagnostic on my car when I got new brakes in December and there were no issues related to the engine.

Filed Nov 6, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · FL

On July 15, 2022, my 2013 BMW X3 i28 broke down on the NYS Thruway; I reside in Fort Lauderdale; I've owned the Vehicle for a year and a half, have serviced it at BMW of Fort Lauderdale, and actually had it In to change a lightbulb and make sure all was good. It was towed to Towne BMW in Williamsville, NY, as I was in town visiting family. I purchased the car from Carvana in November 2020; the extended warranty was only effective for a year, and I was shopping for a new one. My Vehicle looks brand new; its garage is stored and well maintained per manufacturer recommendations. The Vehicle only just hit 70,383 miles, since I transport it on the autotrain when I head north for a few months. Towne BMW said they found the problem it was the battery, I pay the $685.78, plus the $300 in towing charges I made it across the street from the service center, and it stopped again I am still trying to figure out how a vehicle that was in excellent condition the day before is now dead? My Vehicle is sitting in my sister's driveway just outside of Buffalo NY with a dead engine. I have a rare genetic syndrome so trying to do everything is killing me; I almost had a heart attack from this ordeal. I still owe on the Vehicle. I contacted BMW of NA; This 2013 X3 come to find out was the worst year yet. There was a class action filed against them, which has expired, Currently this year alone there are an additional 134 vehicles I was able to find on the web, yet we all experienced just the same and in the end a dead engine. When I contacted BMW NA told him the situation, and he gave me a runaround; oh I'll contact the dealership and find the reason, and maybe out of good faith we can provide you with a new engine; I have all his crap emails trying to stall for as long as he could. Towne BMW won't even return my calls, I asked them for a list of the diagnostics they completed, and I received nothing. I had to tow the Vehicle to a german specialis so they could tell me the engine was seize