2013 BMW X3 fuel system problems

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 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 May 4, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Drivetrain malfunction popped up and the car cut off and went into neutral while driving on the road which almost led us to lose control and wreck. Many issues with the fuel pump.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Fuel system, Transmission · CA

While driving in the southbound fast lane on Highway 101 on July 28, 2021 near Morgan Hill, California, the computer screen advised that there was a fuel supply problem, and at that instant, the engine shut down and the transmission went into park. There was no opportunity to coast onto the shoulder. The vehicle would not restart, nor would it shift out of park. My wife and I were trapped in a vehicle that would not and could not move, in the fast lane of a major California freeway, surrounded by rush hour traffic, with the likelihood that we would be rear ended and perish in a frozen car. The danger was severe. We put the emergency flashers on. Other cars were passing us on the shoulder and on the right hand side, and getting out of the car was dangerous and impossible. We were convinced that we were going to die or be severely injured. We called 911 and at that moment another driver pulled behind us to offer a buffer of safety with his car, until the California Highway Patrol arrived and a tow truck was called. Until the arrival of the tow truck, we remained in severe danger. The tow truck had to pull the vehicle to the shoulder locked in park, causing it to shudder as the rear wheels hopped on the pavement. Eventually we hired a flat bed tow truck to bring the vehicle to our local BMW dealer, and the problem was diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump. Apparently, if your fuel pump fails with this vehicle, you may die. This problem is documented with other drivers at the website carproblemzoo.com/bmwX3/other-fuel-system-pump-problems.php, all of whom were put in peril as a result of this systemic failure. I hope that this notification may save some lives, and would welcome further contact to discuss the matter further. My wife and I still suffer from emotional distress and PTSD, as a direct result of this incident, and will not drive this vehicle again.

Filed Oct 26, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 111,000 miles · NY

Twice now while driving the car it just completely stopped. No warning at all. Just came to a complete stop as I was driving. There were no warning lights, just happened. The first time was on a busy road, the second was on a much less busy street close to my home. I had it fixed to the tune of over $3000 the first time a year and a half ago. Now my mechanic is telling me that it is the timing chain and oil pump drive and that will be a very expensive fix. I am beside myself. If this had happened on a busy highway, lord knows what would have happened but it could've been something very catastrophic and horrific. I am a single mother and a widow and with the pandemic, I was out of work for many months. I do not know what I am going to do but I cannot afford to fix this car for several thousands of dollars.

Filed Oct 8, 2020 · Fuel system · 128,400 miles · NJ

Smelled gasoline when the car was running. Took it to the service facility. They discovered that the nut on the pipe connecting the high pressure fuel line for cylinder 3 had cracked, leaking fuel all over the top of the engine including into the wells containing the ignition coils and spark plugs. The crack on the nut is visible on the attached photo. When the went to repair it, another nut cracked in a similar fashion. This is a serious fire hazard spraying fuel all over a hot engine.

Filed Sep 27, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 89,000 miles · MA

Car has 89000 miles. At low speeds, it drives fine. On highway, "drive train malfunction" light appears during moderate-heavy acceleration. Today, on a crowded 4 lane highway at about 70mph, car lost all power, gas pedal was useless. I was barely able to limp to breakdown lane and speed dropped to about 15-20 MPH by the time I could get there, through lots of honking and several near accidents. Extremely dangerous. I shut the car off for about 2 minutes, restarted it and it worked again. I travelled at about 55mph in right lane the next 15 miles home without issue. I was with my wife and 7 year old daughter. This is a very serious and dangerous issue to have with a car.

Filed Sep 26, 2020 · Fuel system · 132,455 miles · GA

Car has automatically downshifted and almost stalled while either in motion or slowing down several times. Mechanic is uncertain of exact cause.

Filed Sep 17, 2020 · Fuel system · 124,000 miles · CA

Vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection and gave a fuel system error on the display. Seems to be a faulty fuel pump at only 7 years old. Very dangerous and should be recalled for this issue. It's a good thing I wasn't on the freeway.

Filed Jul 17, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 134 miles · FL

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