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Sports Activity Vehicles make up a relatively new segment of SUVs, but that’s what this 2020 BMW X3 is marketed as. The name alone suggests that it is useful for exciting events and the automaker backs that up by claiming “adventure awaits.” While many customers are experiencing adventures, they aren’t the wanted kinds. Instead, the owners are spending time sitting at the dealership because of the steering, structure and electrical system.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 BMW X3
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Steering | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Back Over Prevention | |
| Power Train | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Wheels |
Problems with the Steering
Imagine the destruction that could be caused if the X3 was hard to steer and control. That’s what customers are currently dealing with.
Take a look at this Edmunds review. “First time BMW owner and I am very disappointed. Any high wind and this car is blowing all over the highway, plus the wind noise is very loud in the cabin. The ride is also very jerky, the gear shifts are not smooth at all. It’s pretty rough over bumps as well. I sold my 7 year old rusty Nissan, which actually drove better than this BMW.”
Of course, customer complaints don’t need to be the only proof that something is wrong. In fact, there are three recalls related to the steering and suspension alone. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V738000 states that some vehicles have steering rack pinion teeth that could break, especially while under a load. If this happens, the operator might lose control and crash. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V678000 says that vehicles might also have a front axle swivel bearing that wasn’t heat treated correctly during manufacturing, which reduces the strength and might cause breakage. If this occurs, the operator might also lose control and crash. Finally, NHTSA Campaign Number 20V355000 describes how the steering gear tie rod could become easily damaged and break. If this happens, it’s possible for the operator to lose control and crash. There appears to be a common theme occurring with the X3 – it is impossible to control, leaving owners to await that adventure.
Problems with the Build Quality
Paying a premium price for this luxury model causes expectations to run high. However, the masses are disappointed at the quality and integrity of the X3’s build.
One Edmunds user says, “This is my third BMW X3. The last model was a 2017. The 2020 X3 has been a huge disappointment. Anytime you hit a bump the entire cabin rattles and it sounds as though something is going to fall apart-it takes bumps, potholes, and any variance and roadway extremely rough-speed bumps in my neighborhood at lowest speed are reminiscent of sitting in the back seat of a school bus as a kid. The car is noisy, with a lot of rattling and miscellaneous road noise of which we cannot identify the origin. My steering wheel does not heat up near as efficiently or as comfortably as my last. I’ve owned the car for two months and it has visited the shop twice. Big regret.”
Obviously, by looking at the steering recalls alone, it’s clear that someone was sleeping on the job while the X3 was put together. However, there’s even more proof that the basics of this vehicle were completely overlooked. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V164000 illustrates another recall that talks about the front seat belt buckles inaccurately detecting if someone is in the seat. When this system fails, the air bag and seat belt pretensioners might not work during an accident. Hopefully, no one in an X3 is ever in an accident, but the odds seem stacked against them so far. Additionally, NHTSA Campaign Number 20V152000 further states that the instrument panel casing might not have been properly attached to the passenger air bag. If an accident does occur, the air bag might damage the casing, causing small bits to strike the occupants in the X3. Basically, if the air bag does work, it could cause further damage. There’s no good scenario coming from this situation. Instead of taking this X3 on an adventure, owners might do better to baby it and drive really slowly.
Problems with the Electrical System
One last look at the electrical system shows just as many problems as the other systems.
Here’s one more Edmunds review to examine. “Today my rear camera stop working, last month my ambient lights stop working, 6 month ago engine failure light started blinking (some sonda failure). Beside that there is some squeaking noise from dash board, like on my old Ford.”
Again, BMW can’t seem to manufacture anything on this vehicle the way it was intended. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V684000 talks about a major defect occurring on more than 250,000 vehicles. In this recall, BMW admits that the back-up camera display doesn’t work as it should. This lack of image could lead to an accident and further proves the inadequacy of the automaker. Owners can’t seem to get a break no matter what basic function they want to employ. It’s impossible to keep the vehicle on the road, see what’s behind it or rely on the safety features that should protect occupants. Possibly the best “adventure” this vehicle might see is a trip to the junkyard to be with its defective friends.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes BMW pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Unknown Or Other, Vehicle Speed Control, Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Mar 20, 2023 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Feb 14, 2023 |
| State | IA |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Back Over Prevention |
| Date | Feb 06, 2023 |
| State | NC |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Steering |
| Date | Oct 06, 2022 |
| State | CT |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | May 27, 2022 |
| State | SC |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Apr 11, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Mar 03, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Jan 07, 2022 |
| State | SC |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Nov 29, 2021 |
| State | TN |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Oct 05, 2021 |
| State | NY |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Jul 27, 2021 |
| State | MN |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Apr 01, 2021 |
| State | MI |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Date | Mar 19, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Mar 04, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Feb 22, 2021 |
| State | MS |
| Description | While driving, heard a explosion. Stop and the sunroof glass had exploted. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Feb 19, 2021 |
| State | MS |
| Description | While driving, sunroof exploded |
| Category | Wheels |
| Date | Dec 07, 2020 |
| State | PA |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Nov 28, 2020 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Tailgate opened spontaneously while driving on a city street. Had to stop and close the tailgate from the outside (interior switch did not work). |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Nov 28, 2020 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Exterior Lighting |
| Date | Nov 12, 2020 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Oct 05, 2020 |
| State | GA |
| Description | Media counsel keep shutting down |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Sep 28, 2020 |
| State | TX |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Electrical System, Structure:body |
| Date | Sep 25, 2020 |
| State | TX |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Sep 17, 2020 |
| State | TX |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Steering |
| Date | Jul 27, 2020 |
| State | NY |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Dec 11, 2019 |
| State | NY |
| Description | Trunk opened by itself while vehicle was moving. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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