2014 BMW X3 engine problems
19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2014 BMW X3 — 22% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I am filing a safety complaint regarding a catastrophic timing chain failure on my 2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i equipped with the N20 engine. While driving, the timing chain and oil pump drive chain failed without warning. This is a well-documented defect on BMW N20/N26 engines that has been the subject…”
filed Apr 21, 2026
“The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was an abnormal winding sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake was inoperable. The contact activated the parking brake to stop…”
filed May 29, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
The vehicle demonstrates a power loss and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on. The following fault codes may be stored in the DDE: 24CE00 Hot film air mass meter: Ratio of measured to calculated air mass too high…
B010520 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 23, 2024
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% |
| 2013 X3 | 147 | 65% |
| 2012 X3 | 8 | 19% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2014 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.