BMW X3 brake failure problems

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Body, Brakes · KS · crash

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The braking system failed to respond when the brake pedal was pressed. Additionally, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system did not activate. Both the vehicle and its components are available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle was traveling at approximately 25–30 mph in light rain. When the brakes did not engage, I was unable to slow down or stop, resulting in a collision with the vehicle in front of me. The complete loss of braking capability created a significant risk of injury to me, my passengers, and other road users. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? At this time, the issue has not yet been reproduced or confirmed. The vehicle is scheduled to be inspected by the dealership/service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The incident was reported, and the vehicle is pending inspection by the dealer and insurance representatives. No mechanical inspection has yet been performed by the manufacturer at the time of this complaint. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights, messages, or abnormal symptoms were displayed before or during the failure. The brake failure occurred suddenly without any prior indication. Additional Context: The vehicle is approximately 20 days old. The incident occurred on a wet road during light rain. The brakes failed completely on pedal application, and the AEB system did not respond.

Filed Jan 7, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 133,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2017 BMW X3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact used the parking brake to assist while stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the chassis failure and traction control failure warning lights light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic and was diagnosed with brake failure. The contact was unsure of the parts that needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted about the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 133,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 9, 2024 · Brakes · 50,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated while approaching a stop light at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal stiffened while the contact was attempting to stop the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact ran the red light; however, the brake pedal function returned soon after the failure. The contact was unaware if any warning light was illuminated during the failure. Despite the brake failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to a dealer and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,500. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 28, 2023 · Brakes · AZ · crash · 2 injuries

While driving on the freeway my brakes failed. I had pushed the pedal all the way down and the vehicle was still moving. This caused a rear end collision. There were no warnings that appeared.

Filed Oct 18, 2023 · Brakes · NC

Trying to come to a redlight stop at about 35mph. Brakes stopped working and engine started revving really high by itself while trying to stop. Almost slammed into the car in front. Could not reproduce the problem and have no idea what is going on. The car also has all the safety features to prevent hitting something but did not work. Luckily the car in front moved forward to avoid the collision. Turned car off and back on to try to reset the car.

Filed Jun 13, 2022 · Brakes · 50,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed; however, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to steer the vehicle into a gas station before the vehicle came to a complete stop. Car’s computer failed to indicate there were any hazardous issues nor dangerous concerns. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake master cylinder failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2020 · Brakes · 95,772 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x3. The contact stated that while in traffic on the freeway, the contact depressed the brake pedal which failed to engage properly as the pedal went to the floorboard. The vehicle was slowly driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred with the dsc, x5, trac control warning lights illuminated. Exclusively european (900 lansing dr, mount pleasant, sc 29464, (843) 856-3343) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v454000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,772. *ln*jb

Filed Dec 22, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 62,500 miles · CA · crash

I was parking when I totally lost control of my car. I could not steer it and I could not break. I went left while I was attempting to brake but I had no brakes. I attempted to go straight and hit one parked car. Then I went right and damaged another car then the car hit a 3 car. Then the car stopped. I receive a bmw assist message regarding having an accident then the screen went dead. I was parking my car. Few weeks before I received the following message: chassis stabilization problems. You can continue driving but take your car to the dealer ( something like that). I stopped the car and the message went away. Never came back. So I was planning to talk about it to the dealer when going for the next appointment. I was parking in a place I know very well, hispital parking.

Filed Dec 15, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · 60,983 miles · CT · crash · 1 injury

I was about to park in a parking lot, driving slowly and carefully between two parked cars. As I very gently put my foot on the brake to stop, the car jolted intensely and did not stop. I then pressed on the brake pedal harder but the vehicle accelerated to a very fast speed. I drove through some large plants and went over a side walk and made a sharp turn to avoid a large building in front of me. I then drove through the parking lot, maneuvering around parked cars, buildings and other objects while the car was speeding up. My efforts to slow the car down failed even after applying auxiliary brake. Luckily there were no pedestrians or moving cars while this was happening! Finally I ended up driving up a hill, hoping that the elevation would stop the car. Instead due to high speed, the vehicle was lifted up about 7 feet in the air, hit a large tree and fell in the ground with much force. I have some injuries as a result and currently receiving medical support, hoping that I will not have permanent health issues, which I very much doubt! My car was severely damaged and was totaled. It is clear and evident that there was some kind of technical malfunction that caused the brake failure and acceleration. I contacted bmw dealership where we had purchased the car and also where I had the car serviced one month earlier! They said I must pay for the car to be delivered to their facility in order for them to examine the cause of brake failure. I refused to pay the high price. It is also important to mention that I have been driving for over forty years and I consider myself a very capable driver. I should also add that on the internet there are at least a dozen similar reported cases of this model. Obviously, bmw has neglected to look into this matter. They should investigate their x3 models before someone dies!

Filed Jun 30, 2019 · Brakes · 35,945 miles · UT

Driving on the freeway for approximately 40-50 minutes. Take exit, cruise to off ramp light, the car is in motion and the brakes are applied. The car in motion initially responds and 3/4 of the way to the light (almost at intersection brakes fail, no brakes and the car makes a clicking noise' similar to when a battery is almost dead, but the car is on, electrical and everything seems ok except for the brakes. The ramp is at an incline (uphill a little) so the car stops. The car is partially in the intersection. Thankfully no car in front or cars crossing the intersection. The car is turned off and back on and we continue another mile to our final destination without further problems.