IllustrationAS WITH OTHER BMW'S, THESE TOO HAVE FAULTY OCCUPANCY SENSORS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE GOING BAD ACROSS OTHER LINES. THERE IS NO REASON THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR EXACTLY THE SAME REASON AS OTHERS ARE RECALLED FOR FAULTY SENSORS.
2013 BMW X3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most X3 years
Owner complaints for the 2013 BMW X3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 86.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all X3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
1325–50K
2850–75K
6675–100K
35100–150K
2150K+
161 reports with mileage · 65 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 147 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports10 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
226 reportsDIGEST: - ENGINE STOPPED OPERATION SUDDENLY WHEN RUNNING ON A CITY STREET, I FELT DANGEROUS SINCE THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME HONKED LOUDLY. - THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. THE DEALER AND BMW CUSTOMER CENTER DETERMINE THAT REASON IS LACKING IN ENGINE OIL CHANGE. - THE TRUE ROOT CAUSE IS THAT THE CAR HAS NO ENGINE OIL LEVEL WARNING MESSAG…
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DIGEST: - ENGINE STOPPED OPERATION SUDDENLY WHEN RUNNING ON A CITY STREET, I FELT DANGEROUS SINCE THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME HONKED LOUDLY. - THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED. THE DEALER AND BMW CUSTOMER CENTER DETERMINE THAT REASON IS LACKING IN ENGINE OIL CHANGE. - THE TRUE ROOT CAUSE IS THAT THE CAR HAS NO ENGINE OIL LEVEL WARNING MESSAGE OR SIGN SHOWN ON EITHER CLUSTER OR CONTROL DISPLAY. DESCRIPTION: WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON CITY ROAD THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THERE WAS A NEAR ACCIDENT SINCE THE CAR BEHIND HONKED LOUDLY. SINCE THE ENGINE OIL IS RELATED THE CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE, I BELIEVE ALL PASSENGER CAR SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH ENGINE OIL WARNING FEATURE (I SEE IT IN FMVSS REQUIREMENT). BMW OWNER'S MANUAL DESCRIBES "THE OIL LEVEL IS MONITORED ELECTRONICALLY DURING DRIVING AND SHOWN ON THE CONTROL DISPLAY" (SEE ATTACHED 1), BUT MY CAR DID NOT SHOW THIS KIND OF WARNING. THERE ARE TWO POSSIBILITIES: (1) THE FUNCTION OF WARNING DEFECTED OR (2) THIS FUNCTION WAS NOT ACTUALLY EQUIPPED ORIGINALLY (MANUFACTURER LIES TO CONSUMER). EACH WAY, THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT. BY THE WAY, I CHECKED THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL AFTER THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTROL DISPLAY SHOWS GREEN "ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS OK (SEE ATTACHED 2) I BELIEVE THAT SAME DEFECT EXISTS IN MULTIPLE MODELS OF BMW CAR. THERE ARE POTENTIALLY MORE DRIVERS WILL MISS THE ENGINE OIL CHANGE BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENGINE OIL CHANGE WARNING. THEREFORE THERE ARE HIGH POTENTIAL HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE SINCE THIS DEFECT. BMW SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS DEFECT. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL CASE IN NHTSA WEBSITE DUE TO "LACK OF DRIVER WARNING FOR LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE", RECALL NUMBER IS 13V592000.
THE BAFFLES ARE LOOSE IN MY MUFFLER CAUSING A TERRIBLE NOISE. I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO CAUSING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. MY CAR IS RUNNING RICH. BMW SAYS IT'S ANNOYING BUT NOT CAUSING AND ISSUES ON MY CAR. THEY SAY IT'S $1,200 TO FIX. IT STARTED OUT ONLY MAKING THE NOISE SOMETIMES. IT THEN PROGRESSED TO WHEN STANDING STIL…
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THE BAFFLES ARE LOOSE IN MY MUFFLER CAUSING A TERRIBLE NOISE. I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO CAUSING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. MY CAR IS RUNNING RICH. BMW SAYS IT'S ANNOYING BUT NOT CAUSING AND ISSUES ON MY CAR. THEY SAY IT'S $1,200 TO FIX. IT STARTED OUT ONLY MAKING THE NOISE SOMETIMES. IT THEN PROGRESSED TO WHEN STANDING STILL. NOW IT DOES IT EVEN WHEN DRIVING. PEOPLE CONSTANTLY ASK ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR.
ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 10PM DURING INCLEMENT RAINY WEATHER 350 MILES FROM MY HOME. FIRST, THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING REDUCE SPEED APPEARED. WHILE TRYING TO SAFELY GET OFF THE FREEWAY THE DRIVE TRAIN WARNING APPEARED. AT THAT TIME, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY. AFTER …
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ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 10PM DURING INCLEMENT RAINY WEATHER 350 MILES FROM MY HOME. FIRST, THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING REDUCE SPEED APPEARED. WHILE TRYING TO SAFELY GET OFF THE FREEWAY THE DRIVE TRAIN WARNING APPEARED. AT THAT TIME, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY. AFTER VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST EUROPEAN CAR MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. THE TIMING CHAIN IS ONLY WARRANTED UP TO 70K MILES. VEHICLE HAS 83K MILE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT ENGINE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND BMW SHOULD OFFER A RECALL FOR FAILED COMPONENTS. UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A FAILED ENGINE AND I PLAN TO TAKE THIS ISSUE TO BMW CORPORATE.
I OWN A 2013 BMW X3 AND I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE FROM BMW. APPARENTLY, THIS WAS AN ISSUE ONLY FOR THE 2013 N20 ENGINES, WHERE THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE IS PRONE TO BREAKING DUE TO THE USE OF A SOFT METAL, WHICH TYPICALLY RESULTS IN A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. BMW WILL REIMBURSE YOU ON THIS REPAIR IF THIS…
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I OWN A 2013 BMW X3 AND I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE FROM BMW. APPARENTLY, THIS WAS AN ISSUE ONLY FOR THE 2013 N20 ENGINES, WHERE THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE IS PRONE TO BREAKING DUE TO THE USE OF A SOFT METAL, WHICH TYPICALLY RESULTS IN A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. BMW WILL REIMBURSE YOU ON THIS REPAIR IF THIS BREAKS PRIOR TO 7 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OR 70K MILES. I'D HATE TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO BE BROKEN DOWN, GET THE CAR TOWED AND PAY FOR REPAIRS SO I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS COULD BE FIXED WHILE STILL UNDER THE LIMITED WARRANTY COVERED BY BMW, WHICH THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT AS IT IS NOT A RECALL. THE FACT THAT THIS ISSUE CAN RESULT IN 'CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE', IS NOT A RECALL, AND BWM IS NOT WILLING TO PROACTIVELY REPLACE A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART TELLS ME THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THEIR OWNERS OR TO STAND BY THEIR OWN MANUFACTURING MISTAKES.
2013 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE REPAIRS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *LD *JS
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 …
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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 NHTSA AND WHAT NHTSA HAS DONE TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH AND PUT THE CAR INTO SPORT MODE, IT SUDDENLY WENT FROM 2000 RPM CRUISING TO 6000 RPM AND BACK TO ZERO. THE CAR HAD LOST COMPLETE POWER. I PUSHED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED; LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PULL OVER. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT NOTHING HAP…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH AND PUT THE CAR INTO SPORT MODE, IT SUDDENLY WENT FROM 2000 RPM CRUISING TO 6000 RPM AND BACK TO ZERO. THE CAR HAD LOST COMPLETE POWER. I PUSHED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED; LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PULL OVER. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE RADIO, AIR, AND WINDOWS STILL WORKED BUT NOTHING ELSE. I HAD AAA TOW THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST BMW DEALERSHIP. THE BMW DEALERSHIP CALLED ME TO ASK IF I HAD A DEAD BATTERY; I TOLD THEM BATTERIES DO NOT DIE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. BMW THEN CALLED ME BACK TO TELL ME THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND IT WAS TOTAL FAILURE, BUT THEY COULD NOT TELL ME ANYTHING SPECIFIC WHEN I ASKED. THEY SAID I COULD PAY $6,000 IN LABOR TO HAVE A MECHANIC RIP IT APART TO FIND THE EXACT CAUSE AND THEN PAY THE ADDITIONAL COST TO HAVE WHATEVER WAS BROKEN REPLACED OR THAT I COULD GO AHEAD AND PAY $10,000 UPFRONT TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. A 2013 CAR, THAT HAS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS HAPPEN. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM THIS, AND NOW I HAVE NO CAR TO DRIVE.
VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE BREAKING, I WAS TOLD IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND DAMAGED OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL TOTALING $7,000. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE RECURRING ON 2013 BMW X3S. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORTS I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE INCLUDE NEW…
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VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE BREAKING, I WAS TOLD IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND DAMAGED OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL TOTALING $7,000. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE RECURRING ON 2013 BMW X3S. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORTS I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE INCLUDE NEW VEHICLES TO OLDER BMWS RANGING FROM 30,000 MILEAGE TO 100,000 MILEAGE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AT ABOUT 57,000 AND WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I AM AWAITING FOR A CALL FROM BMW NORTH AMERICA TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THEY CAN DO. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THESE PARTS WHEN THEY IDENTIFIED THEY WERE FAULTY BUT SINCE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED I NEVER RECEIVED THIS NOTICE.
WHILE DRIVING IN A LOW SPEED STREET THE ENGINE WITH ANY NOTICE, LOST ALL THE POWER SUDDENLY AND DID NOT ACCELERATE. IT SHOWED A MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN INDICATING A TOTAL LACK A POWER; THE THROTTLE DID NOT WORK AND DESPITE THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING IT STAYED AT THE MINIMUM RPM. IT HAPPENED TWICE IN A THREE MONTHS PERIOD. THE FIRST T…
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WHILE DRIVING IN A LOW SPEED STREET THE ENGINE WITH ANY NOTICE, LOST ALL THE POWER SUDDENLY AND DID NOT ACCELERATE. IT SHOWED A MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN INDICATING A TOTAL LACK A POWER; THE THROTTLE DID NOT WORK AND DESPITE THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING IT STAYED AT THE MINIMUM RPM. IT HAPPENED TWICE IN A THREE MONTHS PERIOD. THE FIRST TIME (OCTOBER 2017) THE LOCAL IMPORT SERVICE SHOP DID NOT FIND ANY ABNORMALITY AND JUST RESET THE COMPUTER FAILURE SIGNAL. THE SECOND TIME IN DECEMBER THEY IDENTIFIED A FAILURE IN A REGULATOR OF THE ADMISSION SYSTEM. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE SHOP BECAUSE WE WROTE TO BMW HEADQUARTERS IN GERMANY AND ARE STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. WE CONSIDER THAT FAILURE AS A MAJOR AND HAZARDOUS QUALITY ISSUE AND HAVE REQUESTED A FULL REPAIR DESPITE THE WARRANTY IS ALREADY DUE. THE LOCAL DEALER REFUSED TO DO IT SO. THE VEHICLE IS BMW X3 2013 WITH 42.000 KMS AND ALL THE OFFICIAL WARRANTY CHECKS AND MAINTENANCE AT THE OFFICIAL BMW DEALER. DESPITE I LIVE IN PANAMA AND THE CAR WAS BOUGHT HERE AND NOT IN THE US AND MAYBE IT IS NOT YOUR JURISDICTION, I THINK THE FAILURE IS EXTREMELY RISKY AND COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS IN A HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED AND IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC SUCH AS TRUCKS AND HAULERS. BMW SELLS THE SAME CAR IN THE US AND OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE.I THINK IT WOULD BE OF YOUR INTEREST TO INVESTIGATE IF THE SAME FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IN THE US TERRITORY OR ACCIDENTS WITH THESE VEHICLES HAVE HAPPENED DUE TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE THE QUOTATION FOR THE REPAIR ISSUED BY THE LOCAL DEALER IN US DOLLARS. IF YOU THINKS IT IS IMPORTANT I AM FULLY AVAILABLE TO SEND IT TO YOU. AS I DO NOT LIVE IN THE US I AM WRITING WITH MY SISTERS ADDRESS IN FLORIDA. MY HOME ADDRESS IN PANAMA IS: CALLE FONTANA # 23. PH COSTA SERENA. COSTA DEL ESTE. PANAM CITY. PANAMA. ZIP CODE 11111. MOBILE PHONE: (507) 6249 8159. HOME: (507) 3941823
Official recalls
724V608000 · Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump
Aug 13, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
24V527000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jul 11, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
17V495000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Aug 8, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
16V333000 · Child Seat:latch Strap
May 23, 2016
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
14V627000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 7, 2014
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
13V570000 · Air Bags; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
Nov 15, 2013
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 X3 xDrive 28i/35i vehicles manufactured February 11, 2013, through February 27, 2013. Due to a production process error, the tear seam on the instrument panel was not manufactured correctly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the air bag could improperly deploy, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the air bag's protection and increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger. In addition, parts or fragments from the air bag system could strike and injure the front passenger or other vehicle occupants.
Remedy: BMW has notified owners and dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 X3 xDrive 28i/35i vehicles manufactured February 11, 2013, through February 27, 2013. Due to a production process error, the tear seam on the instrument panel was not manufactured correctly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the air bag could improperly deploy, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the air bag's protection and increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger. In addition, parts or fragments from the air bag system could strike and injure the front passenger or other vehicle occupants.
Remedy: BMW has notified owners and dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Air Bags
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 X3 xDrive 28i/35i vehicles manufactured February 11, 2013, through February 27, 2013. Due to a production process error, the tear seam on the instrument panel was not manufactured correctly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the air bag could improperly deploy, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the air bag's protection and increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger. In addition, parts or fragments from the air bag system could strike and injure the front passenger or other vehicle occupants.
Remedy: BMW has notified owners and dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
13V454000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 26, 2013
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
PE13030 · Loss Of Power Assist Braking
Opened Sep 6, 2013 · Closed Oct 25, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the camshaft geometry that prevented the seal disk from blocking the oil port.BMW has not received any braking complaints related to loss of power assist after the design change was implemented in production.The owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer who will install a locking ring into the camshaft to keep the seal disk in its proper location.BMW expects to begin dealer and owner notification in November 2013 and complete dealer and owner notification in December when the remedy is expected to be available.Based on the actions taken by BMW, this investigation is closed.