2020 BMW X3 Complaint Log

This recall was determined in July 2024. It's now November 7, 2024 and there is still not a fix for it.

The differential mounting bolt will fail causing your differential to fall which breaks your driveshaft your transfer case and your exhaust system. This has been reported in well over 100 cars there is no warning light if driving at interstate speeds and this happens it could be catastrophic.

I have records of over 900 other consumers including myself that have been asking BMW to fix a potential deadly lighting malfunction that leaves you with no dash lighting or a whiteout. This problem effects all the dash and HVAC controls where you can't see any the dash and safety components. I've reached out to BMW and they refuse to acknowledge the problem and have asked me to stop.

This issue affects nearly ALL modern vehicles that support ONLY dark mode for backlit/light-imitting dashboard/infotainment screens. Back-lit, white text on a black background is very difficult to read for some people with certain medical conditions. For example, my wife has an intraocular lens implant. She can read road signs and physical 'white on black' text fine, but the LED backlit screen white text on a black screen causes the white lettering to glare and be blurry, making it difficult to read. I see this as a safety issue as she has to spend more time trying to read the dashboard and AC/Radio controls. Simple fix - require all auto manufacturers to include both a dark mode and a light mode for electronic displays. Currently the only ones I'm aware of who have a light mode display are Tesla and Hyundai.

I purchased the vehicle used on December 2, 2023. The vehicle randomly and intermittently exhibits a check engine light in normal driving conditions. The vehicle was inspected prior to sale, and engine oil was replaced prior to sale. The check engine light turns on and off sporadically but seems to turn on when the vehicle switches from electric to combustion engine.

This is the message I get: "Driver restraint system malfunction. Passenger knee airbag rewired to control module . Carefully drive to the closest service center. Driver restraint system is reduced. Increased risk of injury in case of a collision. Continue wearing safety belt. Driver restraint system malfunction. " I went to Cavender BMW and was told the problem is with the Passenger knee airbag rewired to control module. The cost would be $1,400. I have 24,122 miles on the car. My salesman said that there have been quite a few of these problems. It seems there should be a recall if that is the case.

Received warning on screen. “Driver restraint system malfunction carefully drive to the closest service center driver restraint system is reduced. Increased risk of injury in case of collision. Continue using safety belt.” I took the car in, and this was the diagnosis: “Driver restraint system malfunction. Passenger knee airbag rewired to control module” 24,122 miles on the car. $1400

The driver passenger restraint system light comes on which is a manufacturer defect that should be covered for the life of the vehicle (this is not a wear-and-tear) component. I called BMW and was told that the part is out of warranty. I would like an investigation of this part for all BMW X3 as the defect can result in fatalities.

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.

Was driving the vehicle home and while driving I heard a loud pop and a thump. Had the vehicle towed home to see that the real differential bolt had sheared off the head!

When we closed the front driver seat of the car while the car was parked, the back moonroof glass exploded, meaning the glass shattered into a ton of little pieces. Those glass pieces fell all over the back seat. There was no external cause such as something falling on the glass, etc. This happened at the same time as when we closed the front driver door. There were no seen issues with the glass prior to it breaking such as cracks or otherwise, and we had just bought the car BMW certified 2 months prior. BMW has indicated they are not taking responsibility, as they "can't rule out external forces" (although there are clearly none) and told me to reach out to my insurance for coverage. Glass falling all over the back seat is clearly a safety issue.

The issue is with the rear differential carrier bolt, Part # 33176760336. This bolt shears at the hex head and causes the differential assembly to misalign with the rest of the driveline components and causes further failures of the driveshaft and other items. Just in the past month I have seen several people post on the BMW X3M facebook groups and also on Internet forums about their broken bolt causing issues. The OEM bolt is a 10.9 grade bolt that does not appear to be able to take the stress put on it for daily driving. My car is exhibiting symptoms that others have heard in their cars before the failure occurred, Clunking when putting the car into drive or reverse. This can also be heard while going into second gear and driving at 5-20mph on light throttle then letting off the gas pedal and getting back on, this will cause the differential to clunk back onto the bolt and off. This is a failure due to a simple bolt component that could be enhanced by BMW to a higher tensile strength to avoid this situation from happening on the highway.

Consistently breaking differential bolt that hold the rear differential in place, very widespread issue as well as being consistently noted in forums. Also a high number of differential completely failing across all years. Mine failed recently, two other vehicles at the same dealership had a broken differential. There needs to be a recall on both of these issues.

The rear differential bolt is a known failure point on these cars. I see it time and time again where there is a clunk noise coming from the rear of the car and sure enough, the bolt has broken on the rear differential and leaves the car undriveable. BMW has said that they are unable to do anything without NHTSA informing them of the issue. There needs to be a recall or active service bulletin to address this issue. This failure is not a matter of “if”, it is a matter of “when”. There needs to be a stronger bolt in place otherwise it is a near $5000 repair to replace the rear differential if not covered under warranty.

Driving in a rural area on a paved road when an explosion of the sun roof glass occurred showering the driver and passenger with glass. Most of the glass blew away from the vehicle as the window exploded upward. A noise like a shot gun. No warning no any justifiable cause for the incident.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated while accelerating from a stop, there was a loud, popping sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the upper rear differential mounting bolt head had sheared off. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, he heard an abnormal noise from the rear differential bolt. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact stated he self-inspected the vehicle and noticed a loosened blot in the rear differential. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the failure was a common failure with the year, make, and model. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

The differential is making clicking noises at low speed especially when on and off the gas.

This car does not have an accurate speedometer. The analog dial only marks the MPH number every 20 miles (eg numbers shown for 20 / 40 / 60. But not for 10 / 30 / 50). So impossible to easily or safely see the speed you are going. There is no digital speedometer showing the MPH number.

Rear differential disconnected from vehicle due to mounting bolt snapping, rear differential was also previously replaced by bmw before I purchased vehicles due to rear differential failure

The contact owned a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated after parking her vehicle at her residence, the vehicle caught fire around the engine independently. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire and police report were filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,700. The consumer stated the police and fire reports have been requested and waiting to receive the reports.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that at night or during inclement weather while shifted in reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a distorted screen. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V684000 (Back Over Prevention) as a possible fix for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that the passenger’s side restraint system warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the sensor failed to recognize an occupant seated in the passenger’s side seat. Due to the failure, the air bag warning light remained off while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that he had to pay out-of-pocket for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available.

While the car was still under warranty, I got an error message about passenger restraint malfunction. I took to the dealer and was told that it was caused by an iPad found under driver seat. They turned off the warning. Three months later, I get the same message again. The car is now out of warranty and I was told the error is for knee airbag wire that would take 10 hours to get to and repair, if that’s the problem. The cost will be $3800. I decided to wait. Car has 53,000 miles on it. First time I took to the dealer was on December 20,2022. Malfunction light came back on April 28,2023. I couldn’t get an appointment until May 31, 2023.

After car warms up and while driving in warmer temperatures, steering becomes loose, vehicle drifts in lane and becomes difficult to control. Even with steering assist enabled, vehicle cannot maintain a straight line. Knocking sound from underneath vehicle when steering to center at low speeds.

While driving on the highway, without warning, there was an explosion from the roof of the car which startled me and almost caused me to lose control of the vehicle. I pulled over and found that the panoramic sunroof had exploded. Luckily, we had the sunroof shade closed underneath it, so the glass did not rain down on us. However, cars and a motorcycle behind us swerved to avoid the glass flying off of the car and almost crashed into each other. I drove directly to the BMW dealership in Smithtown, NY and they are evaluating the event. They said that a special team from BMW may come to look at the car. They have not yet agreed to cover the repair even though the car is still under warranty.

Vehicle engine RPM will arbitrarily increase from 500-600 RPM to 1200-1500 RPM while idling in drive and at operating temperature, such as at a stoplight or in a drive-through. The vehicle also makes a distinct clunking sound under normal stop-and-go driving conditions.

The contact owns the 2020 BMW X3. The contact purchased the vehicle in March of 2021 and then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V601000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since December of 2021 unrepaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact was provided with a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V601000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

BMW recalled our car twice to replace the hybrid battery. Purchase in late July 2020; first recall about August 2020; second recall about September 2021. BMW replaced the hybrid battery as part of the second recall. Since then the vehicle check engine light has intermittently illuminated. The service department has confirmed faults in the hybrid drive system but has not identified the cause of the faults nor identified a fix. The car is not drivable and has been in the shop for the last 6 weeks with no end in sight. This car has been in the BMW service center for issues relating to the hybrid battery drive system on at least 4 occasions encompassing more than 120 cumulative days over the past 1.6 years that we have owned it. BMW reportedly is now replacing sensors (e.g., throwing parts at the car) in hopes of correcting the fault rather than identifying the source of the fault. I understand from an employee at the BMW service center that he is aware that this dealership has SEVERAL X3 hybrid vehicles with issues identical to our car; and that other dealerships also have hybrid X3 vehicles with faults in the hybrid systems.

The contact owned a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated the vehicle was stationary at a parking lot, when the front passenger informed her that there was smoke coming from under the passenger’s side hood. The contact stated a bystander attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but failed. The fire department arrived within 10 minutes and was able to extinguish the fire. The contact stated no one was injured nor was medical attention sought. A fire report was filed. A police officer arrived at the location and filed a police report. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to towing lot. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact called the local dealer and left a voicemail. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNATTENDED, IT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. ADDITIONALLY, A LINCOLN MKZ PARKED ADJACENT TO THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

AEB TRIGGERS WITH NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. DEALER SERVICE REP TELLS ME HER X5 DOES IT TOO, THAT THE SENSOR IS MOUNTED TOO LOW AND A POTHOLE CAN SET IT OFF. ADVISED TO SET TO "LATE." DID IT AGAIN. WAS RAINING LAST TIME AND CAR WENT INTO MINOR SKID. (DRIVER BEHIND ME WASN'T AMUSED). HAS HAPPENED TWICE.

WHILE DRIVING, SUNROOF EXPLODED

WHILE DRIVING, HEARD A EXPLOSION. STOP AND THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD EXPLOTED.

MY REAR TRUNK DOOR OPENS ON ITS OWN WHEN I'M AWAY FROM THE CAR AND IT IS LOCKED. MY COWORKERS HAVE WITNESSED IT WHILE ON BREAK IN THE PARKING LOT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AS OFTEN, BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, JUST NOT AS FREQUENTLY.

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY INFANT SON AND I AS WE WERE MERGING ONTO THE PA TURNPIKE. WE HIT SOME SMALL ROAD DEBRIS AT ABOUT 50-60 MPH. THE DEBRIS WAS SO SMALL THAT WE DIDN'T FEEL A BUMP OR ANYTHING, JUST HEARD A LOUD BANG AND FIGURED WE HAD A TYPICAL BLOW OUT. THE CAR DID JERK TO THE LEFT MODERATELY BUT WE WERE ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. UPON INSPECTION, THE WHEEL SPLIT IN HALF ACROSS THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE IN THE DIRECTION OF ROLL. THERE WAS A SMALL BEND ON THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE WHEEL AT THE POINT OF IMPACT BUT THE SPLIT WAS SEVERAL INCHES AWAY FROM THIS DAMAGE. THERE WAS ALSO NO CRACK OR SPLIT AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. WE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THERE TO BE A CRACK IN THIS AREA PERPENDICULAR TO THE ROAD BUT INSTEAD THE CRACK WAS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, AWAY FROM THE DAMAGE. THE TIRE HAD NO DAMAGE TO IT AND WAS THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE WHEEL TOGETHER AS IT WAS IN TWO SEPARATE PIECES. THE WHEEL CONTACTED THE BRAKE CALIPER, ROTOR, AND DUST SHIELD CAUSING ABRASIONS AND DENTS IN THESE PARTS. LUCKILY, THE BRAKES HELD TOGETHER BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. MY HUSBAND HAS SEEN BENT WHEELS BEFORE BUT THIS LOOKS LIKE A POSSIBLE CASTING PROBLEM WITH THE ALLOY WHEEL ITSELF AS IT LITERALLY SHEARED APART. THERE WERE 3 VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY BEHIND US THAT STRUCT THE SAME DEBRIS AND ONLY SUFFERED PUNCTURES AND NO BROKEN WHEELS. THE BMW IS EQUIPPED WITH NO SPARE BUT HAS RUN FLAT TIRES WHICH WERE COMPLETELY USELESS IN THIS SCENARIO. WE WOULD NOT HAVE EXPECTED THIS KIND OF DAMAGE FROM SOME ROAD DEBRIS, POTHOLE, OR ANY OTHER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCE.

ALARM SPONTANEOUSLY TRIGGERED (WHISTLING SOUND AND FLASHING LIGHTS) TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD COME TO A STOP AND WAS IN PARK (PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE), WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING IN DRIVE-READY MODE. THE ALARM TURNED OFF BY ITSELF AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. THE SECOND TIME, THE ALARM TRIGGERED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. IT STAYED TRIGGERED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, EVEN AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES. (WE DIDN'T TRY TO LOCK THE VEHICLE.) THE ALARM WAS FINALLY TURNED OFF PRESSING THE ALARM BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB.

TAILGATE OPENED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. HAD TO STOP AND CLOSE THE TAILGATE FROM THE OUTSIDE (INTERIOR SWITCH DID NOT WORK).

MEDIA COUNSEL KEEP SHUTTING DOWN

WHILE DRIVING HOME, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE (EXPLOSION) AND AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD, WE FOUND THE SUN ROOF HAD A LARGE HOLE. WE WERE VERY CONFUSED AS TO WHY IT HAPPENED, AS THE BMW X3 IS ONLY 9 MONTHS OLD.

On August 31, 2020, I purchased a new 2020 BMW X3E, manufactured and warranted by BMW, from Habberstad BMW, located at 945 East Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station, New York 11746. On or about October 14, 2020, I was notified by a BMW Safety Recall regarding a defective battery in my hybrid vehicle. I later learned that on or about September 2, 2020, BMW submitted a Part 573 Safety Recall Report to the NHTSA, that on August 11, 2020, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall, and that per the Safety Recall in August 2020, BMW dealerships were expressly told NOT to sell any new motor vehicles that were subject to this recall. Thus, when I purchased my new vehicle, BMW and the dealership knew about the safety recall and they still sold me the vehicle. The value of the vehicle has cratered since the Safety Recall was announced and I made payments for the vehicle and maintained insurance on the vehicle for many months while the safety defect was being addressed by BMW. I attempted to resolve these issues with BMWNA for a sum on money and for BMW to take back the defective vehicle, but no agreement was reached. Finally, I recently filed a lawsuit against BMW of North America, LLC and Habberstad Motorsport, Inc. under the New York State Lemon Law, for unlawful and deceptive trade practice, and for fraudulent inducement. All relevant documents, including the Summons and Complaint from the lawsuit are attached to this Vehicle Complaint Form. I would be happy to provide additional documentation or answer additional questions on this matter.

THE BACK UP CAMERA FAILS TO SHOW THE IMAGES AND PDC SENSORS DO NOT BEEP. EVEN WHEN IN REVERSE THE CAMERAS MALFUNCTION AND FREEZE. WAS PARKING IN A TIGHT SPOT AND NONE OF THE PDC SENSORS AND CAMERAS WORKED. EVEN WITH OPTION TO AUTOMATICALLY COME ON THE PDC AND CAMERA SYSTEM DID NOT TURN ON EVEN AT VERY SLOW SPEED IN THE PARKING GARAGE. AFTER PARKING AND LIFTING THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR HIT THE WALL AND THEN PDC SENSORS BEEPED AFTER THE IMPACT AND CREATED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, WHEN HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED HE CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF RAMSEY LOCATED AT 985 NJ-17, RAMSEY, NJ 07446, (844) 743-8279, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 20V355000 (STEERING) AND 19V738000 (STEERING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35.

1. Whenever I refill my tank the car will start knocking. It will be only for 1 or 2 sudden jerks. I have tried every grade and nearly all the brands of fuel but its still the same. Even I escalated the same issue when I had my car service done. But to no avail. It happens when I refuel the tank. Otherwise, no issue to my surprise. I Need to know if it’s a known issue? If yes then why no one reached out to me to provide solution for it? Its been years i have tried to escalate it but no resolution. 2. When i use turn signals (either left or right) it start skipping click sound. even when the engine is ON and even when auto engine start is switched off. It happens not all the times but occasionally. I also escalated it when i went for service but i was told if its not logged in system then nothing cant be done. For both issues i dont see any resolution. First issue is way too annoying as sometimes i loose power to engine.

REPEATED PASSENGER AIRBAG/ RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. WHEN THIS FAULT HAPPENS, THE AIRBAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. FIRST TIME THE FAULT OCCURRED AT 1341 MILES, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. DEALER THEN REPLACED THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR. THE FAULT RETURNED A MONTH LATER AT 2219 MILES WHEN A PASSENGER WAS ADJUSTING THE SEAT DURING A TRIP. DEALER FOUND NO PERSISTENT FAULT AND JUST SECURED THE CONNECTORS.

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR DURING THE DAY THE INFORTAINMENT DIGITAL DISPLAY AND DASH BOARD DIMS TO ALMOST BLACK INTERMITTENTLY MAKING IT DANGEROUS AND DISTRACTING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IF TRYING TO USE THE RADIO, THE PHONE, OR DRIVING MILES MPH AND MILAGE GAUGES. THE SCREENS BRIGHTEN UP IF THE DRIVER WINDOW IS OPENED UP. BUT, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THIS WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF DRIVING IT OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR IN DEC 2019. I HAVE BEEN TOLD 10 TIMES SO FAR, THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM.

TRUNK OPENED BY ITSELF WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING.