2014 BMW X3: engine failure

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Transmission · NJ

Had an oil change through BMW with their pre-packaged oil service. 6 days later my oil pump chain guard broke inside the engine and now they're telling me I need a new engine which cost $33,000. I believe the chain guard was either broken during the time of their possession or they could at least have told me that the chain guard was cracked or broken when they did the oil change by looking down the oil cap. They explained to me looking inside the oil cap is how they know the guard has broken and the chain has stretched. So during the oil change they should have been able to tell me or show me that that was a possibility or it was broken. I received my car back in good health with all green lights checking that the car was in top shade condition and 6 days later the car is totaled.

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · NY

I have a 2014 X3 xDrive28i with 114, 000 miles. On August 4th 2024 while I was going 15 miles per hour on a residential road, when my iDrive instrument notification panel displayed "drivetrain malfunction! pullover shut off engine". I immediately came to a stop and turned off the engine, I was unable to re-start it afterwards. I had it towed to my local Ralley BMW dealer, where it then restarted after being removed from the flatbed tow truck. They were unable to determine the cause of the issue. They did a software update and told me that was probably all it was. I soon found out there is a massive issue with the timing chain & chain guides that can cause the timing to skip, resulting in premature shutdown or catastrophic engine failure. I took it to a reputable independent shop who later identified that the timing chain had excessive slack and was not able to be adjusted for proper tension, due to the catastrophic failure of the timing guides. Required repairs will cost upwards of $4,000.00, which I am currently in the process of completing.

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted into neutral(N), and the engine seized. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2023 · Engine · AZ

I was driving the car on the highway when the engine suddenly stopped. After towing it to the auto mechanic, he informed me that the timing chain was damaged, so the oil pressure went down and the engine was gone. The car never displayed any warning messages. I was driving my father and my sister to the airport and the trucks could have hit us. There was no shoulder and I could hardly pull over on a small and narrow piece of shoulder on i17 South. BMW said a new engine and other parts would cost me $15,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2019 · Engine · 76,000 miles · CT

Engine began making clanking noise while driving on highway and rapidly worsened. Engine started losing propulsion power and I pulled over. Car towed to mechanic. Oil filter inspected and was covered in metal shavings. Informed that the bmw n20 engine can experience a premature timing chain or oil pump drive chain failure outside of the limited power train warranty period and unanticipated engine timing chain or oil pump drive chain failure may result in extensive engine damage (applicable to my vehicle) and could have resulted in serious safety hazard while driving on congested highways. My engine has been diagnosed as failed and requires a new engine. My vehicle had 76,000 miles at time of failure.