My car that has around 97000 miles suddenly stopped with a message 'drive train malfunctioned'. While searching on the internet the engine for this vehicle had lot of issues and lot of people experienced the same issue. With the number of issues this engine is having primarily due to the bad quality, I would like the manufacturer to do a recall and fix the engines that failed.
2013 BMW X3 engine complaints
Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 159, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was driving on highway 75 s near monroe, mi. I was going about 60 MPH. I received a warning oil pressure low stop as soon as possible notification from my car. I could not stop for another few miles due to having no where to stop in the construction zone. My car died while pulling off the next exit ramp. I was stranded for hours and had to have a tow truck come get my car. The engine was determined to be shot. The failure occurred due to the timing chain guide braking into multiple pieces plugging the oil pump. This was caused by the engine coming out of time and causes the valves to slam into the pistons. This a known issue with the n20 bmw engine and it a safety hazard to anyone driving one. I paid over $7000 to replace the engine of my car.
I had 86,000 miles on my car. Engine failed while I was vacationing 700 miles from home, stranding me. Warning :"drive train malfunction" light came on, though car was running perfectly well. When "stop now to prevent engine damage" light appeared, I was fortunately going 25 MPH and was able to coast into a parking lot and my car never ran again. Dealership diagnosis was "timing chain stretched", new engine needed. The $13,000 repair cost was about the value of the car, so I was forced to sell it for $3,000 to the first person interested, since I was not near the car and did not want to invest in a new engine, since I had already incurred thousands in repairs within the prior year. This car is terrible! I wish I had read all the terrible reviews before I was conned into purchasing it.
I was driving on the highway when many warning messages started to appear, check engine, check oil, battery, check coolant and some others and in a rapid succession. Car began to slow and powered off. I was unable to restart my car and had to have the car towed. Engine is completely dead. Quoted between 20k (bmw) to 8k (used shop) to repair. Bmw has refused to replace the defective engine or provide any assistance in the matter.
As I was driving on the highway, I had an alert that said "drive train malfunction" and the vehicle began to slow down. I quickly had to take the upcoming exit. As I was trying to change gears, the car remained in neutral and continued to drive slow. I was able to safely pull over and stop the car. At that point, the vehicle did not turn back on.
I am on engine number 3 on my 2013 bmw x3. First engine locked up while repair shop was investigating why egine light was on. No recall or notices at that time for vehcle and over the 50k mile warranty. Cheapest repair was finding a used engine, $8,000 vs $14,000 for bmw to repair. Turns out this was a highly noted issue with n20 code. While in shop for replacement notice comes from bmw for extended mileage service (not a recall). After repair I submitted warrantly paperwork based on letter from bmw with receipts from dealership, only to be denied. 2 years later driving down interstate 85 in north carolina summer with an infant and 3 year old engine stalled out and locked up. Took to mechanic to learn same issue as before happened still no recall - but there was a kit not for a different timing chain! I spent $6,000 this time to rebuild as the value for scrapping was minimal, mechanic which is a bmw specialist would not even consider buying for scrap due to this known issue. He also referred me to the class-action suits open for this. I have yet to receive a dime for the mfg defect. A known issue has been found, a fix has been released but no ownership of the defect by bmw.
My [xxx] now I'm going through something very different im buy a car in the year 2017 march 20 I spoke the sale manager representative about the car combination of my car his name is [xxx] everything was fine well my car has been damage since 2017 by the mechanic of the g0ggin bmw treasure coast 4429 s us hwy 1 ft pierce fl 34982, tei 429-8300 ...my car now serious damage don't knowi iwas going to start a motor so other mechanic tell me I have to replace engine I sign a 72 month contract information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *cc
While bmw x3 was under warranty, we had drivetrain failure come on and repeatedly took to bmw sluggish but barely driveable . The dealer service never made substantial repairs under warranty. Finally my wife had a shutdown in the middle of I-90 and we insisted they take a closer look for which they charged us $3000 just out of warranty to get it back, claiming there was a cam deficiency. 6 months later, the x3 had a catastrophic shutdown again in middle of I-90 highway outside rockford il. Going 65 MPH and nearly created an accident. Vehicle was pushed to roadside and towed to bmw dealer . Bmw declare it unrepairable and out of 75,0000 mile extension for breakage of timing belt chain . Service manager admitted timing belt issue was evident during the 75,0000 period, however the dealer service indicated they are not able to warn consumers. Bmw noam charges us $6900 to replace the engine. Bmws handling of a dangerous problem is fraudulent at best. They hide behind peripheral problems to address the big problem that causes catastrophic engine failure so as many 2013 x3 models may age past the 75,0000 timing belt chain limit and they won't be responsible for 100% of the engine replacement. They are creating a great risk to public safety.
On september 1, 2019, we ([xxx]) were traveling southwest on fm2322 (pace bend road), which is well travelled, at approximately 55 miles per hour in our 2013 bmw x3. The engine lost power and power steering but we were able to coast to the shoulder of the road. This road (fm2322) leads to lake travis and was well traveled, it being on a hot weekend day. At the time of this incident, bmw knew that the bmw x3's n20 engine (see multiple class action lawsuits starting in 2017) was prone to suffer catastrophic engine failure due to faulty materials used to manufacture the bmw's x3 n20 engine. To my knowledge we did not receive a notice or recall for the correction of the n20 engine defects. Redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I was driving my 2013 bmw x3 on I-280 freeway southbound around 11am 6/10/2020, all of sudden my car shows battery discharge resulted in lost of power,when the SUV was at 104,000 miles. Within 30 seconds, the drivetrain malfunction warning engaged. The car began shutting down while they were driving on the freeway. I was able to safely navigate across two lanes of merging traffic to get off the road before the engine died. The situation could have gone very differently with disastrous results, so I quickly maneuvered the vehicle and pulled over on the emergency parking line on the freeway
On 6/23/20, at approx., 6:15 am, my 2013 bmw x3 vehicle (approx. 68,000 miles) lost engine power as I was attempting to pull out from a busy and congested n/b 215 freeway (near the w/b 10 freeway exchange) in colton, california. Prior to losing engine power, and at about less than one minutes before, my vehicle's low oil light sensor had come on, then quickly changed to a drivetrain malfunction sensor -- warning me to drive moderately, but that was meaningless because my vehicle had already began to lose engine power. I slid to a slow stop into the emergency lane of the freeway after cutting off numerous vehicles behind me in an effort to make it off the freeway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x3. The contact stated that when his wife arrived home, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that his wife attempted to start the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to pacific bmw (800 s. Brand blvd, glendale, ca 91204, 8182-46-5600) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 91,450.
Engine seized at only 58k miles right at the airport, would not start again. It was later towed to the dealer and a new engine was replaced. 6 months later at 61k miles, huge plumes of white smokes is coming out of the exhaust. Drove to the dealer again and was informed that the turbocharger is broken.
I was driving down the road and my vehicle went into limp mode. The malfunction trans light came on. I took it to the dealership for diagnostics and was told I had a oil leak and the air tube needed to be replaced as well as the programming update. The next day bmw service advisor, [xxx] called to tell me my timing chain need to be replaced and it would cost over 7000$. I don't know what to do. He gave me his advice or two options I had, I could pay for the cost of repairs and have a vehicle or just fix what was discussed and try to sell my vehicle to someone else. I asked him to help me and put me into another vehicle, he said oh no we can't do that. I asked why, it's your car you sold it to me. [xxx] told me bmw knows what is wrong with the car you won't get anything for it, yet he wanted me to sell it to another family and endanger their lives. I wasn't going to hear from him again, very unprofessional. It made me sick. I called and spoke with customer relations a woman by the name of [xxx] and was told after 4 days of investigation, there's nothing they can do for me. I told them they could have the vehicle, I'm not paying for their manufacture defect. Something needs to be done. Bmw is endangering lives by allowing consumers to purchase vehicles with known defects. I would have never purchased my 2013 bmw x3 28i in march 2017 if I had known I would have problems @ 80,000 miles. This is crazy. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Timing-chain break due to timing guard which is made for a plastic break and engine failure, its a major issue with bmw n20 engine, they upgrade the effected part in 2015 to fix it but cars that have these n20 model earlier getting this failure and bmw not take ownership if its after 7 years or 70000 miles.
On 11/12/2019, on my way to work driving at 40-44 MPH on city road, the acceleration suddenly dropped, a screen message read, "increased engine pressure," and advised me to, "stop engine immediately," which I had no chance to do because the SUV came to a complete halt. Thankfully I was able to turn into the driveway of a business, but unable to park. The car turned itself off and "locked." a bmw dealership service diagnosed the SUV's time-chain needed replacement (mileage was 95515. Bmw stated that the warranty for this model's time-chain was 7 years/70,000 miles. In replacing the time-chain, the motor was ruined with metal shavings. Complaints listed at https://driving-tests.org/VIN-decoder/ report consumers who have had similar bad experience with the timing chain at about 100,000 miles. I purchased the bmw used with 95899 miles and drove it fewer than 3,000 miles before the timing chain and engine were ruined. Bmw north america, llc, does not want to help customers with the bad timing chain issue. The dealer from whom I purchased the used bmw is benz & beemer in scottsdale, az, whom originally believed that the timing chain had "lifetime warranty," but bmw scottsdale corrected them. Benz & beemer refuses to now replace the bmw's motor at their expense, of course. Essentially, the bmw SUV is an expensive vehicle, even as used, to not have a "lifetime warranty" on the timing chain. In addition, the faulty timing chain poses a great accident risk, if not death, to the driver because the vehicle halts to a complete stop, which makes it difficult for the driver to move to safety, dire if the driver is in the freeway traffic. If the manufacturer cannot change the warranty on the timing chain, then you must make a recommendation to put this vehicle out of service beginning at 90,000 miles. Diagnose at bmw scotts 480‑538‑3991. Thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *cc
The night of 11/9/2019, I was driving my 2013 bmw x3 when my engine pressure low light came on then followed by drive train malfunction lights and instantly my SUV died/lost all power and I had to dangerously pull to the shoulder of the road while avoiding other cars. This is extremely upsetting since my little ones were in the car with me and we were on the freeway a few minutes earlier. The SUV locked up and was unable to start back up. I had the SUV towed to the bmw service department, they found the timing chain guide (made of plastic) had broken and the broken pieces block the oil pump. It took out the oil pump and starved the engine of oil and now I have a dead engine. My SUV have only 75k miles on it was regularly maintained by bmw service department. I was quoted $17,437.02 to have the engine replaced. Bmw service dept contacted bmw america to file a claim and get the repairs covered. Bmw refused the claim stating that it was past their 7 years /70k miles timing chain warranty. I had purchase the bmw platinum extended warranty that covers 7 years/ 100k miles, but it expired 2 months after this incident. It's a defective timing chain/bracket that can result to total engine damage. Bmw needs to be held accountable and should have at least have a minimum of 10 years/ 150k miles warranty or issue a recall. People can lose their life when the engine shuts down and the car lose power. After researching online for bmw n20 timing chain failure, it is quite common on the n20 and the n26 engines. Bmw knows this and are refusing to be responsible for the defective parts.for the safety of drivers, please have bmw north america held responsible. Also, its not fair for the customers to be liable for repairs due to the defective parts. The cost to replace the engine is enough to purchase a new cars. That's ludicrous and totally unacceptable!
My 2013 bmw x3 showed a low oil pressure warning on the display. Stopped the car, and had it towed to the dealer. The dealer said the timing chain needed to be replaced and it was a known issue with the n20 engine. The cost to replace is close to $6000. The timing chain is not part of the maintenance of the vehicle and it not suppose to fail. The dealer told me to call bmw north america for assistance to replace since the problem is due to a design defect and not a maintenance issue. I called and after 2 weeks bmw north america got in touch with me and told me they are not going to help me out, not even partially. I cannot drive or sell the vehicle without the repair because the engine will eventually fail which could potentially cause someone to get injured in an automobile accident if the failure occurs when driving in traffic.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x3. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to independent mechanic, where she was informed the timing chain needed to be replaced. The contact called coggin bmw of treasure coast in ft. Pierce located at 4429 us-1, fort pierce, fl 34982, (772) 742-5582, and notified the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. *ln
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted for a few minutes but stalled again. The contact stated that the vehicle was pushed to a service station and later towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called coggin bmw of treasure coast in ft. Pierce located at 4429 us-1, fort pierce, fl 34982, (772) 742-5582 and was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. *ln consumer has 2 diagnostic testing done within few days of each other. Consumer has a 10 years 120,000 miles limited warranty which covers timing chain and oil pump chain.
My timing chain caused my engine to fail at 90,000 miles and bmw would not cover the cost even though they increased the warranty to 70,000 miles, I then had a used engine with 40,000 miles on it and 120,000 miles later that timing chain broke and ruin the engine. I still owe $10,000 on an $8,000 vehicle with bmw wanting $12,000 to replace the engine. The first time I was on the freeway close to hole and the drive train malfunction light came on the I pulled over. The second time the engine went out I was over 2 hours from home and had to have it towed to a different dealership.
I was driving on the freeway. I received an error message about low oil pressure and within a minute my car lost power and put itself in neutral. Luckily I was able to get off the freeway safely because it could have been very dangerous losing power suddenly in that way. The engine would not start back up and I had to have it towed. Another ongoing issue I have had, is that the power train malfunction error light comes on almost every time I drive and the auto shop has not been able to identify the problem. I have replaced the battery and had other work done that did not solve this problem.
Whining noise from lower engine area near engine oil pump caused by wear on engine oil pump chain drive sprockets
Engine stopped working completely (no power/power steering/engine shaking) while on high speed road with wife and 2 year old vehicle. Mechanic noted oil pump/drive train failure associated with a class action lawsuit currently underway with bmw. Entire engine must be replaced.
As my wife and I were driving down the the busy highway, the vehicle went into neutral and the engine completely cut out. We luckily coasted to safety off the high shoulder--barely off the main traffic. The vehicle then went into park and would not start or shift into neutral, so we were stuck there until the tow truck came.
At roughly 71,000 miles, while parked at a red light, 200 miles from home on a holiday weekend, my car had a maintenance warning and wouldn't move.the timing chain broke, causing the engine to have to be replaced. The total cost of the repairs were around $7,000. According to online forums, this is a known problem.
Another timing chain stop in the middle of driving. My timing chain fail on me while driving. I have under 70 000 miles on the car but bmw na told that I am out of warranty because the car arrive at a lot in september 2012 and the 7 year warranty start from september 2012. My car is a 2013 bmw and 7 years would put me in 2020 . Bmw look for anything not to honor their warranty on their fail engine. I owe over $10k on a car that have a fail engine. Please look into this it is so not right
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the vehicle exploded and caught on fire. The flames and heat damaged two parked and occupied vehicles. The contact stated that the michigan fire department was present. The fire department was unable to locate where the fire initiated. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 101,400. The VIN was invalid. *dt
Another timing chain victim. Timing chain had been replaced 2/2017, 51k miles and evidently was replaced with the defective parts, prior to bmw's acknowledgment of an issue. 30 months later we sit at 80k miles and the chain has broken again causing catastrophic motor damage. Bmw na was contacted and we were delightfully denied our assistance request. We were however offered a very generous 10% discount towards a new motor from our local dealer.
My husband was driving home from work on a city street when the car gave an alert: 'drivetrain malfunction'drive moderately.' then my husband got another alert: 'oil pressure low' which warned not to drive. Fortunately, by that point he was on our block so he moved the car very slowly towards our house. The car shut down, but he was able to coast to park the car streetside. We had the car towed to the dealership the next day and learned that the timing chain had malfunctioned and the car was inoperable until the problem was fixed. Just the day before this vehicle failure, we were coming home from seeing family for the holidays. If this had happened on the highway or any other busy road, we could have been in serious danger. There was very little time to get to a safe place because the car shut down so quickly. I'm grateful that my husband was so close to home when this happened. As it is, we'll be incurring considerable expense to repair a car that bmw seems to know has a major defect. The car is a 2013 bmw x3 with an n20 engine; it has about 107,000 miles on it. That's a lot of miles, but not nearly so many that such a major vehicle malfunction could reasonably be expected. There is no reason that the timing chain should fail on a car that we have maintained and cared for. This is the kind of problem you might reasonably expect around 150,000 miles, but we're not at that point. I've since learned through some research that many bmws with n20 engines made in 2010-2015 have had these timing chain issues and that it is well known to many owners and to bmw itself. In 2017, they provided an extended warranty to cover timing chain issues up to 7 years/70,000 miles. That's an absurd limit for an essential component of a vehicle's basic engineering, especially coming from a luxury carmaker that claims to provide "the ultimate driving experience."
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