Electrical System Problems of BMW X3 - part 1

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

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To whom it may concern, I am submitting this supplemental update to formally document continued delay and lack of action by BMW following notification of serious vehicle safety concerns involving risk to minor passengers. BMW was notified in writing of multiple safety-related incidents involving system reliability and unauthorized access behavior. These concerns escalated to an incident occurring while the vehicle was in motion, presenting immediate risk to occupants, including two minor children. Despite acknowledgment of these concerns, BMW has: failed to open a repair order to document the safety defects; conditioned inspection on continued operation of a vehicle reported as unsafe; failed to provide a timely, safe alternative path for inspection (e. G. , coordinated tow and uninterrupted transportation); gone silent for extended periods after acknowledgment of safety risk. I have expressly stated that the vehicle is unsafe to operate and that continued delay creates ongoing risk. I have also stated my willingness to cooperate fully with inspection and documentation provided that such cooperation does not require placing occupants at risk. This supplemental notice is submitted to preserve the record that continued inaction following acknowledgment of a safety concern may constitute failure to mitigate known risk. All communications, incidents, and delays are being documented. I respectfully request that this update be added to the record and considered as part of any safety or compliance review. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted; however, the parts were still not yet available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

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This submission is a supplemental update to my existing NHTSA complaint regarding my BMW X3. On [xxx], at approximately [xxx], while the vehicle was traveling approximately 40 mph with the doors locked, the rear passenger door opened while the vehicle was in motion. A [xxx] child was secured in a rear car seat at the time. A [xxx] child witnessed the event while I was dropping him off at school. No audible or visual warning alerts activated before or during the incident. This event follows prior electronic access and system reliability concerns reported in November and December 2025, including operation without key presence and unauthorized access behavior. I believe these events may be related and indicative of a broader electronic or body control system failure. Due to the seriousness of this incident involving minor occupants, I no longer consider the vehicle safe to operate. The vehicle is pending inspection and has not been driven further. I am submitting this update to document a potential child-safety defect and to ensure this information is considered as part of NHTSA’s review. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted several times and confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start on the first attempt. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

I am submitting a safety complaint regarding a recurring infotainment system failure involving the 2025/2026 BMW X3. While driving, the center display screen suddenly blacks out, which creates a serious safety hazard. This issue first occurred with my personal BMW X3. More concerning, the exact same failure occurred again while I was driving a BMW X3 loaner vehicle provided by the dealership. This indicates the problem is not isolated to a single vehicle but may be systemic. I was able to capture video evidence of the incident while driving, which clearly shows the screen going completely black: [xxx] when the screen blacks out, access to navigation, vehicle settings, driver assistance displays, and other critical information is lost while the vehicle is in motion. This creates a dangerous distraction and increases the risk of an accident. Despite previous service visits, the issue has not been resolved, and the occurrence in a second vehicle raises serious concerns about the reliability and safety of BMW’s infotainment system in the X3. And most importantly, this is the brand-new redesign BMW X3 2025 and 2026 model. Not any previous model, which raises more concerns. I believe this defect warrants investigation, as it directly impacts driver safety and may affect multiple vehicles. I am uncomfortable continuing to drive the vehicle under these conditions. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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This problem has occurred to me now twice. Both occurrences were on very cold days where the temperature was below 20 degrees f. The car starts promptly and runs, but the entire dashboard electronic instrument cluster is non-functioning and dark . In this condition, you cannot tell your speed, engine rpm, fuel level, engine temperature, or any mileage numbers. The turn signals also do not work. The headlights and the idrive screen and the climate control were all lit properly and functioned. I did not think to check the brake or tailights, unfortunately. Multiple restarts of the car had no effect, and so I drove home without the dash functions. After the car sat overnight in my garage (which is somewhat warmer) the dash lights returned to their proper function.

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I am submitting a supplemental update to my existing safety complaint regarding my BMW vehicle. On December 29, 2025, additional safety-related malfunctions occurred while the vehicle was parked and without the key present. A vehicle window rolled down autonomously, and the heating system temporarily stopped functioning during winter conditions. These failures follow an earlier incident on November 15, 2025, in which the vehicle continued operating without the key present and without any audible or visual warning, while two minor children were occupants. The involvement of multiple electronic systems—including key detection, window controls, and hvac—suggests a potential electronic network or can-bus-related defect. These conditions present risks related to vehicle security, environmental exposure, and passenger safety. The vehicle is currently unsafe for transport of minors and unreliable for use during winter conditions. I am submitting this update so NHTSA’s records reflect continued post-notice safety malfunctions.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheating and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that only a shield had been replaced. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was not covered or associated with the recall repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the recall repair was performed. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred after the vehicle was retrieved. The contact stated that directly after driving the vehicle, the dealer was made aware that there was an issue with the vehicle after the recall repair was performed. The contact was assured that the vehicle was fine, and the vehicle was test-driven to ensure that there were no issues with the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,150.

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The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact had received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system). The local dealer was contacted who confirmed that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who confirmed the recall status. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool showed no open recall.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the fire risk was a major concern. In addition, the contact stated that the temperature was 14 degrees below freezing the past weekend where the contact resided. The contact inquired about what might happen if the vehicle were parked on the street in the neighborhood. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

While stopped in traffic the automatic start-stop system engaged. When traffic began moving again the vehicle failed to restart and automatically shifted to park. I was unable to shift into neutral to move off of the road. The "engine cannot be started" control message appeared. After several attempts to manual start the vehicle it started.

The starter failed and car would not start, requiring replacement by the BMW dealership. Car is only 4 years old and had 29,699 miles at the time of replacement. Wondering whether noticed starter issues requiring replacement in 2021 BMW X3 m40i models in addition to other 2021 BMW X3 models that have been recalled and required starter/relay replacement.

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could catch on fire at any time. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the recall repair was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

On 12/5/2025, while driving my 2025 BMW X3 at approximately 35 mph on milwaukee Ave (IL route 21) during rush-hour traffic, the vehicle displayed a “drivetrain malfunction” warning and immediately lost propulsion; the engine completely shut down. The vehicle could not be driven under its own power and remained stopped in traffic with a minor child passenger present, creating a traffic hazard and risk of being struck (including rear-ended). Ambient temperature was approximately 12°f and we were stranded for about 2 hours awaiting a tow. The vehicle was towed and is currently at knauz BMW (lake bluff, IL) and is available for inspection. The specific failed component/system is unknown at this time this is a repeat event. Approximately three days after purchase in new jersey (6/25/2025 purchase date, 6/28 was the incident date), the same vehicle experienced a similar sudden loss of propulsion/power/shutdown while driving in heavy traffic while driving at ~60mph, again with my minor child passenger present. This same error occurred twice before the vehicle was taken to morristown BMW and kept approximately 10 days for diagnosis/repair. Per the dealer, BMW technical assistance was consulted during that repair. The problem has recurred despite the prior repair. I believe this presents a safety defect due to sudden loss of propulsion while driving. I drive along tollway routes weekly, with speeds of 65mph+.

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair and stated that since the vehicle was manufactured in canada, the recall repair could not be performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

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The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

I am reporting a safety defect involving a 2024 BMW X3 xdrive30i. The vehicle continued operating for several miles with no key inside the vehicle, and at no point did the car display a “key not detected” warning, icon, or audible alert. Two minors were present during this incident. This indicates a failure of the key-recognition system, immobilizer logic, and associated warning functions. BMW’s safety system should detect the absence of the key and immediately warn the driver. Failure to issue a warning presents a significant safety hazard, as the driver may unknowingly operate the vehicle without the ability to restart, secure the car, or be alerted to a loss of security control. BMW roadside assistance documented the incident. BMW north America has not provided a case number, safety review, or written plan for addressing the defect despite multiple requests. This lack of response is concerning for a safety-critical malfunction. I am requesting NHTSA’s review of this defect and BMW’s handling of the matter.

Supplemental update – manufacturer response to safety complaint (BMW) I am submitting this supplemental update in connection with my existing NHTSA safety complaint regarding my BMW vehicle. Following my report that the vehicle continued operating without the key present while transporting minor children, BMW of north America acknowledged the concern and indicated it was under review. However, BMW has now stated that it is closing my case file without: • conducting any inspection; • issuing written findings; • providing a safety explanation or analysis; or • confirming whether the reported behavior is a defect, system failure, or normal operation. BMW has conditioned further assistance on dealership inspection while simultaneously closing the manufacturer-level case, creating a gap in accountability and preventing meaningful review of the safety issue at the corporate level. I am not refusing inspection and remain willing to present the vehicle. My concern is that BMW’s attempt to close the case prior to evaluation undermines safety reporting and limits transparency regarding potential risks to drivers and passengers. Please add this update to my complaint record for consideration in any review or investigation.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the emergency sensor warning light illuminated, as well as the camera system, the forward collision avoidance warning light, and the key proximity features malfunctioned. The contact stated that the shark fin cover was missing from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the backup battery and wiring harness were damaged due to water intrusion from the missing shark fin cover. The contact was informed that the backup battery, wiring harness, and shark fin cover need to be replaced; however, the vehicle remained unrepaired. The contact had contacted the insurance provider, and the insurance provider declined to cover the repairs under the comprehensive coverage, citing that the failure was a known issue with BMW vehicles. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Emergency call system - tcb module failure. A telematics control box, is an embedded computer in my X3. It processes, and transmits data wirelessly. It is a hub for my car to connect services like gps tracking, diagnostics, infotainment, emergency calls (e. G. , ecall), and vehicle-to-everything (v2x) communication, enabling real-time monitoring for safety, efficiency, and fleet management. It connects the car to the internet for emergency services. If the tcb were working properly it would call 911 automatically. It has failed and now it will not call automatically if I get into an accident. The car had less than 50k miles and the dealer wanted to charge $2500 to fix. This should be a recall due to the safety issue. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a critical safety feature failure, disabling automatic crash notification and location services. It has disabled all other msg and the error msg stays on continuously and I am unable to see any other msg that could appear.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system). The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for maintenance, and the contact was informed that the water pump had failed. The contact showed the independent mechanic the receipt for when the vehicle was repaired under the recall for the water pump. The contact was informed that the water pump was not replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,245.

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The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. The contact then stated that while at a relative's home, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts, with white colored smoke coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact used a code reader and retrieved dtc: 216113, 21611a, 21a511, and 216115. Due to the failure, the vehicle remained at the relative's home. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); and linked it to the failure. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,500.

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine. After several minutes, the vehicle was able to be started. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with starter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

Appears to be related to recall 25v636. Vehicle is 2020 BMW X3 m40i, equipped with same engine as the supra (b58). Engine would not start with the push of the "start button". Pressing a second time would sometimes start, but as time went on the number of presses required to start took minutes to up to 30 minutes before engine would start. Had starter motor replaced October, 2025 and mechanic observed that starter motor was shorting out, similar to existing recall. However, my vehicle is not included in the recall.

Unknown . The safety recall is extremely dangerous and I drive my child around. This is unacceptable and very unavoidable by providing a remedy or give me a new car. This is not my fault and my life and my family’s lives are in danger.

Starter.

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Engine over heating alert issued and to pull over immediately. We had car towed to BMW dealership who stated it is water pump issue. This is a known issue for this make and model but recall not in effect for our VIN. We are having the same issues as stated in recall for water pumps and temperature control issues. Just because our VIN number is not associated with this recall they will not repair this issue unless we pay out of pocket. This is a known issue for our make and model of car and should be a covered expense by BMW. I have attached a link to the recall issues. Please review and respond accordingly. Thank you!.

The digital display went blank and no controls on the display . This has happened multiple times. We have reported it to the dealership. However this is a significant problem to loose all digital displays while driving.

Announcing the recall in September 2025 and still no remedy available 4 months later is unacceptable. My car is at risk of catching fire randomly even if it's parked with ignition off. I need a fix and I need BMW to pay for it.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v636000 (electrical system). The local dealer was contacted on three occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.

There is an open recall(NHTSA recall number25v636) for my vehicle since September 2025 and there is still no remedy available from the manufacturer (BMW). I am told by the dealer that they won't have the part for next several months. This is unacceptable as I need to get the urgent safety recall fixed as soon as possible.

Today, I placed my backpack containing my 2019 BMW X3 key fob in the back seat, closed the door, and proceeded to open the driver’s door as usual. Immediately, the car locked itself with the key fob still inside. This is a failure of the anti-lockout safety system. The vehicle’s comfort access/keyless entry system is designed to prevent the doors from locking when the key is inside, and it should never lock itself under these circumstances. This malfunction creates a serious safety risk, as occupants or pets could become trapped inside the vehicle. I am submitting this complaint to notify NHTSA of a potential safety defect in the BMW anti-lockout / comfort access system. I request an investigation to determine if this defect affects other vehicles of the same model and year.

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Drivers left front daytime running lights failed after <4 years from warranty replacement. 3rd set of lights in under 7 years on this vehicle.