2024 BMW X3 Reliability Report

I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2024 BMW X3 purchased from Countryside Mitsubishi in Countryside, Illinois, on November 7, 2025. Within hours of purchase, I discovered multiple defects that were not disclosed before the sale. The most concerning issue involves the windshield wiper system and forward sensor components, which began to malfunction immediately. The vehicle’s onboard system initially flagged a windshield sensor fault. I later discovered that the original BMW windshield had been replaced with a non-OEM part, which BMW confirmed voided the vehicle's factory warranty and disabled key safety features dependent on OEM calibration. I was never informed of the windshield replacement at time of sale. When I raised concerns with the dealership, they admitted to using a sensor “workaround” instead of a proper replacement, which BMW later explained is not compliant with their specifications and leaves the vehicle’s advanced safety systems—such as forward collision alerts—compromised. The dealership falsely stated the repair was done by BMW-certified technicians, which was later denied by the repair staff. This defect creates a major visibility and safety hazard. I experienced intermittent wiper failure during poor weather, and the washer fluid system also failed to operate reliably. Despite repeated contacts, the dealership refused to install an OEM windshield or resolve the defect through an authorized BMW service provider. BMW has confirmed that their safety systems will not function correctly unless an OEM windshield and correct calibration process are used. This places me and others at serious risk during adverse weather or emergency braking situations. I have full documentation, a repair timeline, videos of the malfunction, and correspondence with the dealership. The vehicle is still in my possession and available for inspection upon request. I urge NHTSA to investigate this case for potential noncompliance and safety risk.

The contact owned a 2024 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH and turning right, the vehicle unintentionally continued accelerating and veering to the right. The contact stated that she had depressed the brake pedal, but the brakes did not respond. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped the curb, the contact was not able to steer the vehicle back onto the roadway because the steering wheel was seized. The contact stated that the vehicle hit a traffic sign and side-swiped a street light pole. The contact stated that the vehicle then crashed into a parked vehicle head-on and stopped. The contact stated that the air bags had not deployed during the front-end collision. The contact stated that the police and emergency services had arrived. The contact was transported to a hospital, and the police issued a report. The contact stated that she had bruises on her chest, ribs, both arms, and wrists. The contact also had a whiplash injury to her neck. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot, and a total loss was declared. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

As I was pulling into a parking stall at work, I pressed on the brake and the vehicle did not stop. It went up over the sidewalk which is stepped up from the parking lot 4-6". i continued to press the break in as far as I could and the vehicle continued to travel at least 20 and stopped when it hit the building. The vehicle is equipped with the automatic emergency breaking and collision warning in which neither worked. The brick on the building was only scrapped. However, there are windows right at the brick line at the location that my car stopped. The car did not go through the window or the building. If it would have, it could have injured those inside. I was pressing on the breaks so hard that I have an injury to my toe. I have not seen a doctor yet, but it's possible that I broke it as I was pressing that hard. The vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance company, manufacturer, or dealership yet. I called the dealership and asked that it be inspected and a diagnostic run immediately. The dealership said they cannot get me in for a week. My vehicle is equipped with a Event Data Recorder.