MyCarTSB

2016 Bmw X3 Transmission Problems

7 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

7
Complaints
Mar 2021Nov 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (7)

criticalPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2025

Your car's low-pressure fuel sensor failed internally, allowing diesel fuel to seep into the engine's wiring harness and contaminate the engine control unit (ECU). This created two serious safety risks: the engine could stall unexpectedly while driving, and the fuel near electrical components posed a fire hazard. The contamination also caused the exhaust temperature sensor to give incorrect readings, which could damage the engine. The fix requires replacing the failed sensor, the wiring harness, and the engine control unit.

NHTSA #: 11700103
criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2025

Your car is automatically shifting into Park while you're stopped at traffic lights or other stops, even though the engine is still running. This forces you to re-engage Drive before you can move, creating a safety risk of being rear-ended while the car is stuck in Park. BMW repaired this issue under warranty in 2018, but the problem has returned and BMW is now refusing to fix it, citing potential costs in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars because they haven't identified the root cause.

NHTSA #: 11674036
mediumPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2024

I have reached out to the manufacturer for a solution and they said to wait till there is a remedy. I’m scared to drive this car for fear that something could happen to me or my family.

NHTSA #: 11626359
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2022

This vehicle shuts down the engine when stopped at a stop sign or light. The engine resumes when you press on the brake or gas peddle. But sometimes, the engine will turn back on for no apparent reason. That is not an issue of concern. BUT, sometimes, when the engine turns on automatically, it will drop the transmission into PARK. So when you attempt to apply gas, the car will not move forward as it is not in gear. This is intermittent. My German Auto repair shop has observed the issue and spoken with many other shops who have reported the same issue with the X3. BMW does not have a solution to the problem. The driver never knows if the car will move forward after a traffic stop, as it is not obvious that the transmission has dropped into park until you attempt to move forward. Instead of using this engine turn-off feature of the vehicle, they suggest turning it off to avoid the problem. That is a gas-saving feature of the car.

NHTSA #: 11479701
mediumPOWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2021

MY EMERGENCY BRAKE KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE THEM FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW. ALSO STARTING AROUND 2/20/21 WHEN IM AT A RED LIGHT FOR MORE THAN A MINUTE AND THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN, MY TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK AND THE CAR WONT GO, A WARNING SIGN COMES ON. THEN I HAVE TO RE PUT IT IN DRIVE AND CAN GO.

NHTSA #: 11403050
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2018

TRANSMISSION - UNCOMMANDED CHANGE FROM DRIVE TO PARK THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE TURNS THE CAR OFF WHEN YOU STOP AND BACK ON WHEN YOU START. THE FAULT IS THAT IT INTERMITTENTLY PUTS THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, WHILE IT IS RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. IT OCCASIONALLY HAPPENS WHILE YOU ARE JUST STOPPED AND THE ENGINE RESTARTS. USUALLY THIS IS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO GET INTO TRAFFIC. NEARLY GOT REAR-ENDED WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME OFF, BUT I DID NOT ACCELERATE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD SWITCHED FROM DRIVE TO PARK.I HAVE VIDEO OF IT OCCURRING, BUT THE DEALER CANNOT REPEAT IT, AND UPLOADING NEW SW DID NOTHING.

NHTSA #: 11149963
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Sep 2018

A VERY DANGEROUS AND CATASTROPHIC SITUATION IS CREATED WHEN USING THE START/STOP FEATURE. WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOPPED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY THIS FEATURE FAILS. ONCE THIS FEATURE IS ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED TO START AGAIN THE VEHICLE GOES INTO PARK INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING. THIS PRESENTS A VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC SITUATION BECAUSE YOU MAY BE MAKING A MANEUVER BY ACCELERATION TO SWITCH LANES OR SOMETHING SIMILAR AND THE CAR FAILS AND GOES INTO PARK AND DOES NOT MOVE. PERILLO BMW PERFORMED UNSUCCESSFUL SERVICE ON THIS APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS AGO. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PERILLO PERFORMED SERVICE AGAIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE TWO WEEKS AGO. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS IS A PERMANENT FIX BECAUSE TO NOT TAKE THIS PROBLEM SERIOUSLY AND LEAVE IT TO CHANCE THAT THIS MAY OCCUR WITH SEVERE CONSEQUENCES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I THINK THE NHTSA SHOULD ADDRESS DIRECTLY WITH BMW. SPECIFICALLY- 1. THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, STOP SIGN OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. 2. THE START/STOP FEATURE IS ENGAGED 3. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED TO GO AGAIN THE CAR IMMEDIATELY GOES INTO PARK AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. 4. TO GO AGAIN, THE BREAK MUST BE PRESSED AND THE GEAR SHIFTED MANUALLY INTO DRIVE. PRIOR TO BMW SERVICING THE VEHICLE THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 20 TIMES IN A THREE-MONTH PERIOD. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE THAT THE DRIVER ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED THE PARK WHILE STOPPED. THE DRIVER PURPOSELY DOES NOT KEEP THEIR HANDS ON THE SHIFT GEAR.

NHTSA #: 11129955

Other 2016 Bmw X3 Issues