2013 BMW X3: jerking or lurching

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 Aug 10, 2020 · Brakes · 72,500 miles · GA

On august 1st, we experienced a dangerous situation on the highway; the vehicle slowed down in traffic, hard jerking, smelled of burning fuel or fumes. We then took it to the bmw dealership in tallahassee which was two days after the incident. After they did a diagnostic on it, we were told it was a mechanical failure within the brake system and after they examined it and took it for a test drive, the brakes on both sides became extremely hot with extreme heat and smoking from both brakes. They explained the experience was very unusual and could have caused dangerous results on the road. We were told it wasn't in our best interests not to attempt to drive it more than 2 miles. We had no choice but to leave it across the street with carmax, the lien holder. Even though it is a manufacturer's issue the bmw dealership wouldn't help us unless we paid nearly 5k out of pocket. Carmax also wouldn't help unless we agreed to pay them as well. We are out of a major loss considering it's was defected by the manufacturer and we've only had the car 2 years. We were told we were lucky and that the tires would have caught on fire on the road.! We would appreciate your full investigation into this matter; we are not financially stable to incur such a financial loss as well as losing the vehicle. Thanks

Filed Feb 20, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 60,000 miles · MD

Last week when in city traffic, I depressed the brake to slow down, then lifted my foot off the brake. My car lurched forward and I immediately braked again to slow down and stop. This was not normal, had not happened before, and I decided to mention it during my next visit to bmw service. Last saturday, feb. 17, I was driving 20 -25 MPH in a neighborhood, approaching a red light on river rd, bethesda. There was one car at the light. I braked to slow down, and realized that the car was not slowing down, braked again and it lurched forward and accelerated. I saw the speed the speedometer moving between 20-25, and the tachometer varying wildly between 1.5 - 2.5. I pressed very hard on the brake, which was harder to press down than ever before, pressed the park button and finally got the car to go into park before I arrived at the stopped vehicle in front of me. This all happened in less than 10 seconds. I immediately called bmw and took my car in, explaining what happened, still very shaken and afraid to drive the car. Afterwards, I looked on the internet, and read about other 2013 x3 drivers with the same experience. It did not appear that bmw was able to replicate the problem or that they repaired the cars to fix the problem. One person did have an accident and totaled the car. Thus far, bmw has told me they cannot replicate the problem. I requested the service manager to get involved and will ask to speak to the factory rep as well. This is a major safety hazard putting my life and others at risk. It is not safe to drive my car. I would like to know how many similar complaints have been filed with the federal safety agency and what the federal safety agency has done to address this serious safety flaw.

Filed Apr 22, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 16,150 miles · CA · crash · 2 injuries

In stop and go traffic on the interstate I was braking after moving forward a few feet and the engine started racing causing the car to lurch forward (given I was on the brake) until the brake would not hold any longer at which point the car accelerated in traffic despite me pushing even harder on the brake. The brake was completely unresponsive at this point. I avoided rear ending the car in front of me by swerving around him but could not avoid the vehicle farther ahead in traffic and hit the right rear of a uhaul storage unit towed by a vehicle and the bmw flipped onto its right side. Miraculously, we walked away with only minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Seat restraints and airbags worked perfectly which is the only kind thing we can now say despite having no prior issues. Whether it is an onboard computer malfunction or not we will never own another bmw... And if the other online posts have been there when I purchased the vehicle in sept 2012 (and had I read them) then I never would have purchased the vehicle. Coupled with other carcomplaint.com, bmw community blogs, and the federal safety agency posts surrounding 2012 and 2013 x3 events of the identical nature there should be an immediate investigation as to the simultaneous and concurrent event of the throttle acceleration while braking, and the brakes failing (as if the computer thinks the brake pedal is the gas pedal?) .. And a recall before deaths occur ... Though it is likely they've already occurred since the dead can't testify as to a problem that other bmw dealer service departments fail to replicate and therefore discount. The back hatch of our vehicle also flipped open allowing items to fall onto the highway (despite no impact to the rear of the vehicle) though all passenger car doors remained closed. The vehicle has been totaled. We would certainly not get into that car ever again even if it were repairable.

Filed Apr 6, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 184 miles · OH

On the first occurrence I braked smoothly at a traffic light that was red as I approached. The vehicle stopped and then the engine revved and lurched forward slowly 3 to 4 times taking me through the intersection as I was pressing on the brake. I could not stop the vehicle. Once through the intersection I took my foot off the brake and applied the gas pedal and drove to a nearby parking lot. When I came out of a store after 45 minutes, I tested the brakes by driving slowly in the parking lot and applying the brakes several times. Each time but one the engine revved while I had my foot deliberately on the brakes, not on the gas or gas and brake. If I removed my foot from the brake, the revving stopped and gas operated appropriately. I drove home and called the dealer who had it towed, checked it out for a couple of days, could not reproduce the problem and said it was fine. It was raining on the day of the occurrence. The second occurrence happened 6 days after the first, another rainy day. I braked at a stop sign. The vehicle stopped and then the engine revved as I was pressing on the brake, then lurched forward once into the intersection. I immediately removed my foot from the brake and drove forward. This did not repeat as I drove home. Again the car was towed to the dealer, checked out by the dealer and an engineer from bmw na and nothing could be reproduced. They told me to take the car home. It had to be my error. I objected that I have never had any similar problem with any other car I've driven including the two bmw loaners they supplied. I told them I was unhappy with the decision not to check it out further especially since they had not made any attempt to test it in the rain. Bmw na representative was adamant that it could not be the vehicle.