2013 BMW X3: won't start

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 Dec 10, 2020 · Engine · 112,000 miles · PA

Bought 2013 bmw x3 with about 90,000 miles on it. In 2/2020 had engine oil pressure low light come on and took to bmw dealership. They could not identify a problem other than a minor leak and suggested replacing gasket; if oil light continued to come on to bring it back and next option would draining oil/inspecting oil pump with camera; also made comment regarding needing to possibly replace timing chain but due to cost was the last option. The bmw staff did not make me aware of what I later became aware of... Bmw x3 having issues with the chain guide, later leading to timing issues/engine failure. The light came on again so I took the car to an independent shop that specializes in foreign cars. They could not see anything major after numerous test drives; engine cleaner was added; oil changed. Light would come on occasionally (once every month); would pull over, wait for car to cool down and restart... No light returned. Took car for another oil change and mechanic reported not even seeing the error codes when diagnostic completed? Drove for another several months until late october, early november when codes started back on occasion. In november, had left the car idling to for quick stop and when attempting to pull out of driveway, the car stalled. It sounded like it wanted to start but would not. Was 1/2 in driveway and 1/2 out into road blocking traffic. Was able to get pushed out of road; still would not start. Towed- mechanic reported timing chain had slack, causing timing issue and engine to stop. Mechanic also did research on problem and located class action suit. After researching realized there were warning signs and if bmw dealer would have been up front about what was already known (timing chain guide issues); the parts could have been replaced 8.5 months ago without car suddenly stopping. Luckily local and not on highway while driving 65 miles an hour.

Filed Jun 15, 2020 · Engine · 58,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Mar 23, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Feb 27, 2020 · Engine · 92,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Sep 12, 2017 · Engine · 71,000 miles · IL

Sunday, 9/10/17 @ 11:30am I was driving south on 294 in chicago and the oil pressure message came on, shortly followed by engine train message suggesting I pull over and turn off the engine!! Thankfully I was able to get to an exit at lake cook road just as the car stopped running. It would not start and was towed to a repair shop whereby they said it was the timing chain and the engine is probably shot. This car has 71k miles and has been serviced religiously yet warranty expired. New to bmw I never expected something like this!

Filed Aug 14, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 81,000 miles · VA

Driving (2013 x3 28i) vehicle without concerns, incidents or warnings until the oil pressure warning" light came on. Slowing down to try and make it the mile left to make it home. After the "oil pressure warning" came one, less than a minute later there was a "drive-train malfunction" warning. Now looking for a place to pull over, it was less than another minute when car locked up and stopped in the middle of the road. Living on a curvy road, I was in a very bad situation, due to being between two curves, just after dark. Car would not start or go into neutral. It has been 10 weeks and car diagnosis has not been determined. Without warnings and total engine failure. I was not hurt in any way, and thankfully someone stopped to block the curve so people would slow down. I was stuck waiting for help for an hour. Tow-truck driver couldn't get into neutral to load on his truck. I did buy this as a 1 owner, lease return, and put the top asc warranty on it. The owner of a quality import repair shop says he has no idea and has never come across anything like this before. Short of pulling everything apart to try and figure out a specific problem, he does not want to try and repair it. Going to have to tow it to the dealer and hope they will give some answers. 10 weeks and no closer to an answer than on day one.

Filed Oct 19, 2015 · IL

The battery of the vehicle drains even when it is not running. The battery gets so drained that it cannot be recharged and needs to be replaced.initially the service man kept telling me that I had left something on and that is why the battery drained. But someone told me off the record that it is possible that the computer system did not shut down properly and that was draining the battery and since I was not driving a long distance (I drive approx 25 miles total each day), that was not enough time for battery to recharge. The car makes weird noises when the engine has been turned off for hours and it is parked in the garage indicating something is still running. Things that I was told to do to ensure that this does not happen again is to lock the car when in the garage, to not run it in eco mode which turns off the engine if stopped for a long duration (let's say at a traffic light), since I am not driving it long distance.eco mode is one of the selling points for this car for fuel efficiency and now I am being asked to turn that off. My car is only 2 years old and I had to already change the battery. Because of this issue the vehicle automatically went into park on two separate occasions when I was stopped at a red light, which is very risky and may cause an accident. There are multiple complaints about this on the internet. I request you to please investigate this issue. I have asked the dealership for system report when the car was towed in because it would not start (even though it had been jump started the previous night), but so far I have not received anything.

Filed Jun 26, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 25,700 miles · CT

I was driving northbound on ct-104 long ridge road, a 2-lane state road on monday june 22nd, 2015 around 8am. I was traveling from stamford ct to bedford. About midway on long ridge road driving at around 25pmh at millers mill intersection the car stalled. I would see I was in middle of my northbound lane the dashboard lights were on, but speedometer was at 0 RPM and knew the engine had died, I immediately tried restarting the engine. While the engine cranked, I was in park, the engine would not kick in despite turning over. After repeated tries, and being unable to move off the lane, I pressed bmw sos button. I had turned on my flashers. Cars were racing in my lane and stopping before getting to my car rear-end. I knew I was in a hazard zone. But this a cell-phone dead zone. In any case bmw asked I get out of the hazard zone, but told them the car was simply unmoveable and would not start-up. So they called in the tow and informed the bedford police. For 20 minutes I sat there in the car. Then the flashers quite operating and increased the risk of rear-end crashes. Thats another issue bmw must look into. Finally the police arrived some 20 mins later the tow truck called by the police showed up. The bmw x3 was taken to bms mt kisco new york. A 2-year old car failing suddenly in the middle of the road without any warning and creating a road hazard was unnerving. Bmw dealer informed me on tuesday june 23rd the fuel pump had failed. It would take a few days to repair. ..the fact that a new car with 25000 miles has a significant failure suddenly and creates a life-threatening situation with cars barreling down in a 45 MPH is worrisome and poses issues with qa of critical components and a recall if large number of cars have been involved in sudden fuel pump failures maybe indicated as a proactive step...updated 08/27/15*bf updated 12/3/15