2013 BMW X3: engine overheating

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · NY

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.

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 Nov 22, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 139,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · FL

My 2013,_bmw x3 check engine light went on and I noticed power loss when it didn't drive over 40mph. I had the vehicle diagnostics done at my local bmw shop and they told me I have a bad timing chain and sprockets and gave me a bill in the thousands. I called bmw corporate and spoke to lori who is aware of the issue and said, an extended warranty was issued but that it expired in 2018. They offered me no other financial assistance because my car has 100,499 miles. So that's it a car dies at 100,000 miles and they can't help??? That's awful. There's so many complaints about this issue. My other 2007 bmw x3 huge problems too overheating, my motor mount bolt broke the engine dropped and broke the water pump. Garbage, garbage, garbage I will never buy bmw. Shame on bmw for not helping!!!! My toyota went past 200,000 miles and it's still driving.

Filed Sep 8, 2017 · Engine · 52,000 miles · IL

Engine coolant pump and thermostat failed at 52000 miles. It's 2000 miles after the warranty expired. It was failed way too early by any measure for any on road vehicle. I had engine overheat warning, possibly due to coolant pump failure. However, the oil temperature gauge on the dash showed normal temperature. After vehicle stopped, tried to inspect the vehicle with hood opened. With oil temperature gauge saying normal temperature, coolant was over heating, which could cause the injury from confusion. One temperature gauge saying normal while the coolant was over heating. Bmw should address this issue on their own. They ignore this problem and passes to customers. This should be seriously considered for recall.

Filed Feb 13, 2017 · Engine · 60,000 miles · MN

I have 3 parts in my vehicle that are now identified as needing replacement by my mechanic. I went to the mechanic after my vehicle went into "limp" mode while driving at 45mph in normal conditions and I received a message stating my vehicle was overheating. My mechanic advised that I need a new water pump, a new thermostat, and while it's not related, I also need a new oil housing gasket. It sounds like these are all common failures on these vehicles and my mechanic noted "it's not a matter of if these items will fail, but when". Moreover, one simple google search will tell you the same. If these parts are truly an issue, why are then not recalled? My car going into limp mode while driving on a highway should be considered a safety concern, particularly in populated metro areas with a toddler in the back seat. Unfortunately, to repair these 3 parts, I've been quoted $1500 for the repairs, which is absolutely ridiculous for a car that has 60,000 miles on it.

Filed Feb 10, 2017 · Engine · 57,000 miles · WA

Engine overheat warning due to water pump issues. Just under 5 years of brand new purchase. See similar part has excessive complaints. Http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1219853&page=2 bmw initially charged me as a thermostat issue, and replaced it after 3 months back-ordered parts. 1 day after thermostat replacement, symptoms re-appeared. This time they are replacing other parts. With number of people complaining about it, it should be considered as a recall. Every repair with bmw is very expensive.