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BMW X3 X3 xDrive20i High Executive common faults.

2010–2014, SUV, petrol, 184 HP.

The fault list covers: N20B20 engine, GS6 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

5 fault write-ups. 4 important. 21 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

4 important faults

critical2

N20 2.0 petrol: breaking timing chain guide

critical

The chain guide of the early N20 engines is brittle: if it breaks, the chain goes slack, and from then on the timing is imprecise. The symptom is initially a high pitched whistle or drone from the front of the engine that rises with the revs: many people take it for the supercharger or a pulley noise. Later a metallic rattle on a cold start joins it.

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The fault concentrates on engines built between 2012 and early 2015; after February 2015 they got an improved guide. In the 3 Series the 320i and the 328i are affected.

You can hear the noise before the chain jumps.

between 90,000 and 216,000 km

What to check

  • On a cold start stand at the front of the engine and listen to the first seconds: a metallic rattle is suspect
  • At idle, then applying throttle slowly, watch for the high pitched whistle or drone that rises with the revs
  • Do not accept "that is just the pulley" as an explanation: the noise is at the front, in the centre, and it rises with the revs, so it is not the pulley
2 more steps in the write-up

Oil pump chain: the plastic guide disintegrates and blocks the pickup

critical

The oil pump is driven by a separate, smaller chain from the crankshaft, behind the timing chain at the front of the engine. This chain runs on plastic guides, and under heat cycles the plastic cracks, flakes off and finally disintegrates. From then on the chain works against the aluminium, the tension is lost, and the stretch progresses fast.

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It causes damage along two paths, and the less known one comes first. The broken pieces of plastic are sucked into the oil pickup tube, block the way of the oil there, and destroy the bearings before the chain has even jumped. The other path is the chain or the tensioner letting go: then the oil pressure disappears within seconds, and the engine can seize without stopping.

The warning is not the lamp. This fault does not always light a warning, so the noise is what to listen for: between 1500 and 2500 revs a high, whistling whine comes from the lower part of the engine, and at a cold start a rattle of one to five seconds is audible. The maker issued its own service bulletin for the whining noise on the N20 and the N26.

On the factory chain the fault is reported above 80 000 miles, that is above roughly 129 000 kilometres, but in the American settlement the maker took it on earlier as well: below 70 000 miles, that is 113 000 kilometres, the full cost, and above 100 000 miles or eight years nothing at all. The affected set is the N20 and N26 engines built between 2012 and 2015.

The repair costs between 4000 and 6000 dollars, because the work on the timing and on the oil pump go together. If someone has replaced the timing chain, the oil pump chain has to be replaced with it: if the job is left half done, the engine has to come apart again in a few years.

above 129,000 km

What to check

  • Rev it to between 1500 and 2500 and listen to the bottom of the engine: a high, whistling noise points here
  • Start it cold and listen for a rattle of one to five seconds
  • Do not wait for a warning light: this fault does not always light a lamp
3 more steps in the write-up

expensive2

Oil filter housing gasket: oil leak onto the belt and the alternator

expensive

A rubber gasket seals the oil filter housing to the block. The gasket hardens over the years, and oil leaks from under the housing. The oil drips onto the drive belt and the alternator.

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Three things can happen. The oil stretches the belt and it can jump off (on a single belt engine that means an instant loss of the water pump and the alternator); oil getting into the alternator destroys the windings; and oil reaching the hot exhaust smokes and gives a burnt smell, and the official complaints do include burning smells and smoke.

The leak is visible: five minutes on a lift settles it. The gasket itself is a cheap part; the labour, the ruined belt and the alternator take the money.

between 64,000 and 246,000 kmreported complaints only

What to check

  • On a lift look at the block surface around the oil filter housing: a wet, oily or oily dusty film
  • Look at the drive belt: an oily, cracked, stretched belt is the consequence of the leak
  • Look at the alternator housing from below: an oil trail indicates damage reaching the windings
2 more steps in the write-up

XDrive transfer case (ATC): binding in corners, plastic actuator gear

expensive

The heart of the four wheel drive in the longitudinal engine BMW X models (X3, X5 and the X1 E84) is the ATC transfer case. It has two faults, and you can feel both while driving.

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The first is wear of the clutch pack and the fluid: in a slow, tight corner (a car park, a roundabout) the car jerks and "hops", as if the drive grabbed and let go. You can also get a jerk when pulling away on a slope. The second is the plastic actuator gear: the position signal is lost, the brake, ABS and 4x4/DSC lights come on together on the dash, and a clicking is audible from the transfer case when you switch the ignition off.

Workshops often propose a full transfer case replacement straight away. But the plastic gear can be replaced on its own, and the wrong tyre size or a mixed set of tyres also imitates the jerking, because the transfer case then slips continuously. So clear up the tyres and the fault code first, before you pay for a transfer case replacement.

between 72,000 and 175,000 km

What to check

  • In a slow, tight corner (a car park) watch for jerking, binding and a "skipping" feel
  • When pulling away on light throttle, can you feel the drivetrain jerk
  • Watch the dash: 4x4, ABS, DSC and brake lights together point at the actuator
4 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair1

Plastic charge pipe: it goes brittle and cracks at the throttle body

cheap repair

The maker builds the charge pipe out of plastic, and the coupler at the throttle body is the critical point. The material goes brittle from heat cycles, from boost pressure and from the heat of the engine bay, and then it cracks. Three things coincide here: the moulded coupler carries both pressure and movement, the vibration of the engine arrives here through the throttle body, and the spot gets continuous heat load. The crack starts on the inner radius of the coupler. The symptom is a loss of pressure under load: the engine pulls cleanly at part throttle but flattens out at full throttle, and a hissing noise is audible from the engine bay at the same time. A yellow drivetrain warning comes with it, which often disappears after a restart, and sometimes a brief limp mode. One thing is worth knowing: a clean fault memory does not rule the crack out. The pipe has no sensor of its own, so the control unit can only log a boost pressure fault, and the leak is intermittent, appearing only under load. At a viewing two things are visible without tools. On the inner radius of the coupler the hairline crack sometimes comes with dark staining, because the oil mist in the boost air escapes through it. For the same reason a greasy, dark ring can appear at the joint of the coupler. The crack is reported above 80 000 kilometres, and replacing the pipe costs between 100 and 400 euros, because the part itself is not expensive. The most common misdiagnosis against that is replacing the turbocharger, which costs an order of magnitude more, and a pressure test protects against it. The factory repair is the same plastic part, which can crack again at a similar mileage; replaced with an aluminium pipe this failure mode disappears, and the driveability does not change.

above 80,000 km100–400 EUR

What to check

  • Look at the inner radius of the coupler at the throttle body: the hairline crack sometimes comes with dark staining
  • Look for a greasy, dark ring at the joint of the coupler
  • On a motorway slip road at full throttle watch for the loss of pressure and the hissing noise
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

BMW X3 X3 xDrive20i High Executive

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

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Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall21 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 30 March 2023

A12/00868/23Safety recallInjuries30 March 2023 · EU Safety Gate

The airbag may deteriorate over time, and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 30/03/2023

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01929/23Safety recallInjuries29 June 2021 · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 29/06/2021

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01930/23Safety recallInjuries29 June 2021 · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 29/06/2021

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

17V605000AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATIONAIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION28 September 2017 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

17V495000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE8 August 2017 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/1202/17Safety recallInjuries8 August 2017 · EU Safety Gate

The housing of the driver’s front airbag inflator may have been incorrectly welded. In the event of a crash with airbag activation, the inflator may consequently rupture. Metal fragments created as a result could pass through the airbag, causing fatal injuries to the vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 08/08/2017

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

16V704000STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMSTEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM3 October 2016 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one model year 2017 BMW X3 xDrive 28i vehicle manufactured on June 7, 2016. This vehicle has electronic power steering (EPS), and the contact pins on the EPS control unit may not have been welded properly resulting in increased resistance.

Risk: An increase in pin contact resistance can increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.

Remedy: The vehicle was repaired at the dealership before sale. Therefore, an owner notification notice will not be issued for this campaign. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

13V570000AIR BAGSAIR BAGS15 November 2013 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 X3 xDrive 28i/35i vehicles manufactured February 11, 2013, through February 27, 2013. Due to a production process error, the tear seam on the instrument panel was not manufactured correctly.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the air bag could improperly deploy, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the air bag's protection and increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger. In addition, parts or fragments from the air bag system could strike and injure the front passenger or other vehicle occupants.

Remedy: BMW has notified owners and dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

11V341000STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMSTEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM29 June 2011 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 27, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2011. A CONTROL MODULE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) UNIT MAY MALFUNCTION, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.

Risk: SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00608/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The screw connection from the passenger's airbag to the instrument panel may not have been manufactured according to specifications. As a result, if the airbag is activated, the panel cover may break into pieces, which will be propelled against the passenger increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00783/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The airbag propellant may deteriorate over time, and If deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01981/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A seam on the inflator housing of the driver airbag may not have been correctly welded. In case of accident, when the airbag is deployed, the inflator can burst, releasing metal parts which could cause injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/02712/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to faulty rear-most screws, the screw fixings of the boot's lashing rails can fail in the event of a rear-end collision with heavy intrusion, and penetrate the backs of the rear seats. This increases the risk of injury to the occupants of the rear seats. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/02833/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/03030/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The propellant within the integrated inflator of driver airbags can deteriorate during time. If the airbag deploys, it could result in fragments from the inflator casing injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/03084/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to faulty rear-most screws, the screw fixings of the boot's lashing rails can fail in the event of a rear-end collision with heavy intrusion and penetrate the backs of the rear seats. This increases the risk of injury to the occupants of the rear seats. The vehicles concerned have already been modified in connection with the recall code 0051960500. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0440/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

It is possible that the screws for attaching the rear spoiler were not fitted. The spoiler could become detached at high speeds endangering following vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0656/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

In case of deployment of the driver airbag module, the gas generator could burst. If the gas generator bursts, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

SR/00596/26Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver airbag inflator may malfunction due to long-term degradation. In this case, if the airbag is deployed in an accident, the internal pressure in the inflator may be too high. The inflator could burst. Metal fragments may cause injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

SR/00620/25Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the inflator of the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments of the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

SR/03830/25Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Water may come into contact with the starter relay and gradually cause corrosion. This could affect the electrical connection inside the relay and make the engine difficult to start. It may also result in a short circuit and could cause the starter to overheat leading to a fire when the vehicle is in motion or when it is parked with the ignition off. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

N20B20

115–180 kW (156–245 HP) · petrol

Model year2011–2017

GS6 · 6-speed manual, longitudinal (Getrag GS6)

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit450 Nm
MakerGetrag

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
X3 xDrive20i High Executive
Body
SUV
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1995 cc
Power
135 kW (184 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2010–2014

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Engine oil and oil filter (BMW condition-based service)

    • LongLife25,000 km or 2 years

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years
All F25 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms