2011 BMW X3 engine problems
31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2011 BMW X3 — 28% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I had my car towed into bmw dealership for a vanos recall repair,it went in for the repair the repair was "done" but before picking it up they told me they were unable to qc/start my engine to verify the repair claiming that because my camshaft position sensor was removed (it was removed to…”
filed Feb 20, 2026
“I own a 2011 BMW X3 with an N55 engine and am experiencing VANOS-related issues consistent with TSB SIB 11 02 13 and Recall 23V-707. While my VIN isn’t currently listed, my vehicle falls within the affected model years, and I’m seeing identical DME fault codes (130E11, 120408) and drivability…”
filed May 27, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment…Campaign 23V707000 · Oct 20, 2023
- Heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuitCampaign 17V683000 · Oct 30, 2017
Engine problems in other X3 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 X3 | 4 | 11% |
| 2024 X3 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 X3 | 8 | 12% |
| 2021 X3 | 23 | 22% |
| 2020 X3 | 25 | 23% |
| 2019 X3 | 31 | 19% |
| 2018 X3 | 15 | 21% |
| 2017 X3 | 17 | 18% |
| 2016 X3 | 13 | 16% |
| 2015 X3 | 29 | 28% |
| 2014 X3 | 19 | 22% |
| 2013 X3 | 147 | 65% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2011 BMW X3
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.