2015 Bmw X3
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2015 Bmw X3 has 158 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: there were a total of 4 incidences. 2/21/15 took bmw x3 xdrive28i to dealer with 112 miles on car, after car engine revved higher as i was coming down a hill to a complete stop. i had to practically stand on the brake for car to stop. acceleration lasted about 4 seconds after stopping. had to keep m. ⚠️ 15 fire reports filed.
158
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
2.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ENGINE
44 complaints- • THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 4 INCIDENCES. 2/21/15 TOOK BMW X3 XDRIVE28I TO DEALER WITH 112 MILES ON CAR, AFTER CAR ENGINE REVVED HIGHER AS I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON THE BRAKE FOR CAR TO STOP. ACCELERATION LASTED ABOUT 4 SECONDS AFTER STOPPING. HAD TO KEEP M
- • WHEN RAINY DAY , MY CAR SOMETIMES CAME OUT SMOKE ON A CITY STREET. I TOOK INTO DIFFERENT BMW DEARLER, BUT THEY CLAIM THAT IS THE DESIGN OF THE CAR, BECAUSE THE AVIATOR TOO CLOSE WHEN RAINING IT WILL CAME OUT SMOKE. I RECORDED AND SHOW TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND HE SHOW IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE
- • I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA MISSING RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE IN 2015. I WAS NOT AWARE THE RECALL AND INFORMED ABOUT THE CAMSHAFT TIMING ADJUSTMENT VANOS ENGINE STALL ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS ABOUT THE BOLTS THAT SECURE THE HOUSING FOR THE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING ADJUSTMENT
“THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 4 INCIDENCES. 2/21/15 TOOK BMW X3 XDRIVE28I TO DEALER WITH 112 MILES ON CAR, AFTER CAR ENGINE REVVED HIGHER AS I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON THE BRAKE FOR CAR TO STOP. ACCELERATION LASTED ABOUT 4 SECONDS AFTER STOPPING. HAD TO KEEP M”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
26 complaints- • ON MARCH 4, 2018, WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION IN BOCA RATON, FL, ALL OF SUDDEN, NO WARNING, MY BMW X3 STARTED TO SMELL OF SMOKE, THEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I HAD TO BARELY MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LEAVE IT AT AN ENTRANCE OF A PLAZA, WHICH THEN BEGAN TO SMOKE OVER
- • CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DIESEL ENGINE COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE CAR HIT 40K MILES. LUCKILY IT'S UNDER WARRENTY, OVER 10K IN REPAIRS IN 2 MONTHS. NEW FILE INJECTORS, OIL PUMP, DTF FILTER, ECT.
- • SUFFERED FROM HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT HAD A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. WHEN TAKE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS IT WAS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION. ALSO FOR SOME REASO
“ON MARCH 4, 2018, WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION IN BOCA RATON, FL, ALL OF SUDDEN, NO WARNING, MY BMW X3 STARTED TO SMELL OF SMOKE, THEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I HAD TO BARELY MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LEAVE IT AT AN ENTRANCE OF A PLAZA, WHICH THEN BEGAN TO SMOKE OVER”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
22 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X3 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, THE VE
- • THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 4 INCIDENCES. 2/21/15 TOOK BMW X3 XDRIVE28I TO DEALER WITH 112 MILES ON CAR, AFTER CAR ENGINE REVVED HIGHER AS I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON THE BRAKE FOR CAR TO STOP. ACCELERATION LASTED ABOUT 4 SECONDS AFTER STOPPING. HAD TO KEEP M
- • ON MARCH 4, 2018, WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION IN BOCA RATON, FL, ALL OF SUDDEN, NO WARNING, MY BMW X3 STARTED TO SMELL OF SMOKE, THEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I HAD TO BARELY MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LEAVE IT AT AN ENTRANCE OF A PLAZA, WHICH THEN BEGAN TO SMOKE OVER
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X3 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, THE VE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
13 complaints- • THIS MORNING AROUND 10AM CENTRAL TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 10MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKE HARDEST TRYING TO STOP IT. THANKS GOD, IT STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, NOTHING CLOSER IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, NO ONE GOT HUR
- • BURNING SMELL , INSIDE AND OUT SIDE
- • NHSTA DATABASE IS SAYING OUR VEHICLE HAS AN ACTIVE ISOFIX BRACKET RECALL (16V333) BUT EVERY TIME WE TRY TO SCHEDULE WITH BMW, THE DEALER INFORMS US THAT OUR VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED. I AM A SERVICE MEMBER LIVING OVERSEAS AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SHIP MY CAR UNTIL THE ACTIVE RECALL IS RESOLVED BUT
“THIS MORNING AROUND 10AM CENTRAL TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 10MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKE HARDEST TRYING TO STOP IT. THANKS GOD, IT STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, NOTHING CLOSER IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, NO ONE GOT HUR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
AIR BAGS
12 complaints- • AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY IN HIGH-IMPACT FRONT END CRASH. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
- • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V683000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTUR
- • PASSENGER SIDE 'AIRBAG OFF' WARNING LIGHT COMES ON ON INITIAL START, GOES OFF MOMENTARILY AND COMES BACK ON WITH ADULT MALE SEATED IN PASSENGER SEAT OR SEAT EMPTY. PAST MODELS SUFFERED FROM PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR CRACKING. IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH 2015 X3?
“AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY IN HIGH-IMPACT FRONT END CRASH. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 158 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 4 INCIDENCES. 2/21/15 TOOK BMW X3 XDRIVE28I TO DEALER WITH 112 MILES ON CAR, AFTER CAR ENGINE REVVED HIGHER AS I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON THE BRAKE FOR CAR TO STOP. ACCELERATION LASTED ABOUT 4 SECONDS AFTER STOPPING. HAD TO KEEP M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: ON MARCH 4, 2018, WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION IN BOCA RATON, FL, ALL OF SUDDEN, NO WARNING, MY BMW X3 STARTED TO SMELL OF SMOKE, THEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I HAD TO BARELY MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LEAVE IT AT AN ENTRANCE OF A PLAZA, WHICH THEN BEGAN TO SMOKE OVER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X3 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, THE VE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: THIS MORNING AROUND 10AM CENTRAL TIME WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 10MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKE HARDEST TRYING TO STOP IT. THANKS GOD, IT STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, NOTHING CLOSER IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, NO ONE GOT HUR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Bmw X3 — Year Comparison
How does 2015 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 158
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 15
- Crash reports
- 12
- Injury reports
- 5
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
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