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Service bulletins for the 2013 BMW X3

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

368 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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By component

Bulletins, newest first
8405142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Service Action: Bluetooth Software (KISU Data) Update. This Service Action is being released to improve customer satisfaction as we strive to be number 1 in the JD Power Initial Quality Survey (IQS). This new KISU software improves the Bluetooth functionality in our vehicles, and it helps keep us up-to-date with technology innovation. Please implement the Bluetooth Software Update Service Action. This Service Action will be in effect until March 2015. Thank you for your continuous support. Improved KISU data (Customer Initiated Software Update) is now available for installation in these vehicles via the USB port. Improved functionality for COMBOX: z Detailed view of the text messages z Android device connection stability (linked contacts causing BT disconnection) Improved functionality for HU-H: z Reconnection strategy z 3rd Party App Metadata - Album art and song title Note: This Service Action is to be completed only at the dealer. You (dealers) will be receiving vehicles from the VDCs that will require this service action to be completed prior to customer delivery.
8404122018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 5, 5S, 5C, 4S, 4, and 3GS with iOS 8.x Information. INFORMATION There is one major difference in functionality since iOS 8.0 was released. Scenario: z The customer leaves the vehicle and turns his or her phone off. z He or she turns the phone back on. z He or she enters the vehicle, but does not unlock the phone and start driving. Result: z The phone reconnects to the Bluetooth system (normal). z However, it does not transfer the contact list (not normal). z The contact list in the iDrive will be empty. z The call list in the Kombi will display only phone numbers, but no names. z The hands-free system works for accepting calls and conversing on calls started on the phone. Solution: z Prior to the customer entering the vehicle they must unlock the phone (passkey) With the release of Apple's new iPhone 6, 6 Plus and iOS 8.x software, there have been many questions regarding the new phone and software. The information in the attachment to this Service Information will help answer these questions. A printed copy can be given to the customer if needed. The attachment provides information on the differences between the new iPhone 6, 6 Plus and the previous versions, along with Apple software improvements in the following areas: 1. Visual comparison 2. Connectivity 3. Functionality Refer to the PDF file in the "Attachment" section of this bulletin for complete details. Information on the iPhone 6 is also available via the following: z www.bmwusa.com/bluetooth website NOTE: This SI will be updated as new information is received.
6523142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Central Information Display Intermittently Flashes Off/On. Intermittently, the Central Information Display (CID) flashes off/on. Voltage supply error from the Headunit-high (HU-H) to the Central Information Display (CID) when the display brightness is set to 60% or higher.
6522142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). Automated Activation of Navigation System During PDI/QC1. INFORMATION Important: The INITIAL NAV enabling code no longer needs to be pre-ordered through the Parts department! When the vehicle is connected to the diagnostic system ISTA to perform PDI/QC1, the step to activate the navigation system (part of Delete Transport Mode) will automatically request the INITIAL NAV enabling code (VIN-specific) without pre-ordering the enabling code. This enabling code will be automatically delivered through ISTA and it then activates the navigation system. Note: This VIN-specific NAV enabling code is then also automatically stored in the Repair Kit in the Aftersales Assistance Portal (ASAP). The automated INITIAL NAV enabling code request and activation of the navigation system will take no longer than 1 minute. After finishing "Delete Transport Mode," the navigation system in the vehicle will be active without entering the 20-digit INITIAL NAV enabling code manually or in ISTA. If the navigation system is not active and asking for the enabling code, turn off the ignition and wait for the head unit to enter sleep mode (approx. 3 minutes). After that, turn on the ignition again. The head unit will start up and the navigation system is activated. If the INITIAL NAV enabling code for first-time activation of the navigation system is not requested or delivered automatically, it still can be ordered manually through the Parts department and activated in the vehicle through the iDrive controller, by entering the 20-digit enabling code manually.
6133142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. The Controller Responds Slowly or Not at All. When the customer presses or turns the controller, there is no or a delayed response. This can sporadically occur. Software in the controller
1615142018-11-13. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. NVLD Tank Leakage FC 190302 Fuel Tank Ventilation and Purge Air System Micro Leak. The engine malfunction warning is illuminated and the following fault code is stored in the DME memory: z FC 190302 Fuel tank ventilation and purge air system micro leak leakage greater than 0_5 mm CAUSE Contamination of the NVLD pressure switch electrical contacts
1235142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N20, N26 Service Engine Soon Light On: Fault Code 1B9702 is Stored. The Service Engine Soon light (MIL) is on with only the following fault stored in the DME: ? 1B9702: Engine switch-off time, timer, instrument panel timer DME, Comparison: Value of instrument panel timer too low while engine is running This fault will not cause any engine running or drivability problems. Unfavorable instrument cluster and DME software
1233142018-11-13. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Fault Code 1D2008 Stored in DME. The Service Engine Soon light is on. Fault Code 1D2008: Map thermostat: jammed open is stored in the DME. There may also be a complaint of low heat output with lower outside temperatures. CAUSE During the engine warm-up, the engine coolant does not reach operating temperature within the DME's allowable time limits. This is caused by either a faulty thermostat inside the transmission oil heat exchanger or a faulty engine characteristic map thermostat.
1230142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Engine Intermittently Will Not Start at Very Low Outside Temperatures. The engine will not start at times at very low outside temperatures (-4°F/-20°C and colder); however, the battery state of charge is correct and the starter turns the engine over properly. This starting difficulty is most likely to occur after shutting the engine off briefly for 5 or 10 minutes, such as when refueling. The following faults are most likely stored in the DME: N20 engine: ? 1B5202 - Terminal 15N_1: No voltage? 1B5302 - Terminal 15N_2: No voltage ? 1B5402 - Terminal 15N_3: No voltage N52T engine: ? 1B5102 - Terminal 15N_3: line from CAS, electric: short circuit to earth ? 1B5501 - Terminal 15N: No voltage ? 1F0601 - Terminal 15N from CAS, switching delay: Switches too lateN55 engine: ? 1B5202 - Terminal 15N_1: No voltage? 1B5302 - Terminal 15N_2: No voltage ? 1B5402 - Terminal 15N_3: No voltage In addition, other engine electronic power supply-related faults could be stored for components such as VANOS solenoids, camshaft sensors, engine oil pressure sensor, engine oil pressure control valve, engine oil level sensor, etc. At very low outside temperatures, low levels of moisture present inside the power distribution module (PDM) can freeze the internal micro-relay contacts.
8402142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features are partially or completely inoperative. This Service Information bulletin is being published because vehicles are down for an extended period of time when researching system failures with ConnectedDrive or BMW Assist. This Service Information bulletin will assist you both in identifying the issue and providing technical support. CAUSE Not enough information is available for BMW NA engineers to assist the technician in diagnosing the root cause.
6521132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEATS. When Unlocking with Comfort Access the Outside Door Mirrors Are in the Wrong Position. The vehicle is locked with one remote key and then enters sleep mode. The vehicle is then unlocked using one of the outside door handles with the second remote key. The outside door mirrors do not move to the correct position. The seats do move into the correct position. CAUSE Software error in driver's seat module
6516142018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Central Information Display Intermittently Dimming or Flashing Off/On. Intermittently the Central Information Display (CID) dims and/or flashes off/on. There are two possible root causes for this issue. Cause 1: Voltage supply error from the Headunit-high (HU-H) to the Central Information Display (CID) when the display brightness is set to 60% or higher Cause 2: Calibration data for dimming the Central Information Display (CID) at high temperatures or bright sunlight is set incorrectly internally in the CID.
6502142018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Headunit High Is Constantly Resetting. After connecting a mobile device via Bluetooth, the Headunit High (HU-H) constantly resets. This is because the mobile device paired/connected to the vehicle contains one or more emails with 30 or more recipients. Note: In this situation, a reset is when the HU-H shuts down and then turns back on. CAUSE Software error in the HU-H.
6118142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Various Electrical Faults Caused by Shorted K-CAN2. One or more of the following situations can occur when the K-CAN2 wiring in the vehicles is shorted. ? There is no communication with any K-CAN2 control modules during an ISTA vehicle test. The following control modules are on the K-CAN2: ZGM - Central Gateway Module FRM - Footwell Module CAS - Car Access System Headunit - Radio/Navigation ComBox/TCB - Telematic Control Module FZD - Roof Function Center Module JBE - Junction Box Electronics * The transmission will not engage a gear when with the engine running. * The vehicle sporadically does not start. * In rare cases, the vehicle may stop running while driving. When the K-CAN2 is shorted, the vehicle will store many line and communication faults for the K-CAN2, including the following: * JBE - C9140D No message, receiver JBE, transmitter CAS * JBE - C90468 K-CAN2; Communication fault * ZGM - CD0468 K-CAN2: Communication fault * ZGM - CD1400 Message incorrect, receiver ZGM, transmitter JBE * CAS -D9045F K-CAN2: Line fault * CAS - D90468 K-CAN2: Communication fault * FZD - DE8468 K-CAN2: Communication fault * TCB - E14468 K-CAN2: Communication fault * TCB - E1445F K-CAN2: Line fault * NBT - E1C468 K-CAN2: Communication fault * FRM - E5845F K-CAN2: Line fault * FRM - E58468 K-CAN2: Communication fault The wiring harness gets pinched between the instrument panel and the locating tab on the passenger side of the instrument panel. K-CAN2 High - GE/RT (Yellow/Red) K-CAN2 Low - GE/BR (Yellow/Brown).
6103142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Check Control Messages Related to Battery Charge During Cold Ambient Temperatures. On cold days with an outside ambient temperature of less than 15°F, customers may notice a check control message related to the battery that is displayed on the instrument cluster and the control information display. Under these conditions, the vehicle starts. Various power management faults can be stored: * 213901 - Power management: Reduction or shutdown of individual electrical consumer * 8040BD - Reset or deactivation of Terminal 30F * 8040B9 - De-activation of terminal 30B: Top start capability limit reached * 8020E8 - Reset or deactivation of terminal 30F * 800E89 - FRM: start capability limit reached with lights active during stationary mode * 93076B - Deactivation of terminal 30B: upper start capability limit reached * 93076A - Deactivation of terminal 15: upper start capability limit reached, but deactivation preventer active * 93076C - Deactivation of terminal 30B: upper start capability limit reached, but deactivation preventer or legal loads active * 930769 - Deactivation of terminal 15: upper start capability limit reached Note: When the outside temperatures drop below 46°F, the charging system is switch to full charge. CAUSE * The check control message (ID 229) is caused by a heavily discharged battery. * The check control message is triggered when the current state of charge (SoC) of the battery approaches the minimum SoC that is required to start the vehicle (start capability limit). * In low outside ambient temperatures, the start capability limit of the vehicle is higher. Therefore it takes more energy from the battery to start a cold engine. * Without the early warning of the check control message, the current state of charge would drop below the start capability limit and the vehicle would not start. * The vehicle's intelligent power management system actively takes measures to increase the charge of the battery, such as increasing idle speed and reducing or shut
8403142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. iPhone: Connection Failures with iOS 7. There are various connectivity failures with the iPhone using iOS 7. Some examples are listed below: * Call disconnection * Contact List incomplete * General connection failures CAUSE Apple software iOS 7 and its variants.
0104142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. External Engine Oil Leaks and Repairs. During the vehicle's operational life, normal engine oil seepage or sweating, in addition to accumulated road dust, dirt and grime in the engine compartment can cause the appearance of a more severe oil leak. This is further exaggerated by residual oil that remains on the engine assembly after maintenance services are performed, e.g., oil filter changes, "engine oil top-offs," etc. If this visual appearance of accumulated oil on the engine assembly as an "active leak" is misinterpreted, unnecessary gasket repairs/replacements will result. Specifically, our analysis of the claim-related data for vehicles equipped with the engines noted in this bulletin is showing an above-average number of engine gasket repair/replacement claim submissions. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide your workshop with information and a procedure that will help in identifying engine oils leaks that do and do not require a repair.
8401142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Information and Availability. ConnectedDrive features are partially or completely inoperative. Examples of some of these features are listed below: * BMW Assist Inoperative ? SOS call ? Roadside Assistance call * My BMW Remote App * BMW Online - Google local search * Concierge CAUSE The Electronic Subscriber Agreement (ESA) is inactive. * No active contract for ConnectedDrive features Offboard Availabilty (Backend) system issues * The external network was/is inoperative. * No data is sent to the vehicle.
6603142018-11-13. Service bulletin. WHEELS; LANE DEPARTURE; STEERING; SUSPENSION. Steering Wheel Vibration Level Is Unacceptable. The vibration level produced by the steering wheel vibration actuator is too strong or too weak. This is only noticed when Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is triggered. CAUSE Vibration actuator in the steering wheel
8406132018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. iPhone Charging Status Constantly Switches On and Off. INFORMATION Do not replace any other parts! Advise the customer that he/she must use one of the following: * The original Apple iPhone/iPOD USB cable that came with the device * A BMW supplied iPhone/iPOD USB adapter cable PARTS INFORMATION
6523132018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. Headunit-High: Navigation Road Map Installation After Replacement. When replacing the HU-H, the road map database version that was in the defective HU-H must be installed in the new HU-H.
6504142018-11-13. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS. "Airbag Warning Light: ACSM FC 930A60 Seat Occupancy Detection. According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be on when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. ACSM fault code ""930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction"" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. CAUSE The front passenger seat occupancy mat consists of a seat occupancy mat with a capacitive sensor system. This means a front passenger is detected by measuring the resistance of the human body. The fault is set when moisture is detected on the mat itself."
6206132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The Condition Based Service (CBS) due date is reset to 01/2000 and cannot be updated for: * Oil Service * Check Vehicle Note: No fault code is stored Software error in the Instrument Cluster
3410132018-11-13. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES; WHEELS. "Wheel Speed Sensor Failure. The Check Control Message displays: ""Driving stabilization, continue driving at a moderate speed. Avoid abrupt braking as far as possible."" Drive to the nearest BMW Service Center. Also ""TPM (Tire Pressure Monitor) failed"" may be displayed. One or more of the following fault codes are stored in the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) module regarding wheel speed sensor failure: 480A90,480715,48071B,480712,480718,480717,48071A,4809B0,4809B9,480686 4809CD,480AAA,480AB1,480AB4,480AAD,480A9F,480AA3,480A9C,480AA6,480710 480713,480AAC,480719,480A9E,480AB3,480AA5,480716,4809B7,480928,4809C2 480711,480714,4809CB,480AAB,480AB2 Front/rear wheel speed sensor"
6530092018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). Enabling Code FSC/SWT - Enabling the Navigation System Map at QC1. The navigation system is inoperative unless the map is enabled during the QC1 Pre-Delivery Check. INFORMATION New vehicles come equipped with a navigation road map that must be enabled via an enable code (FSC). This process is part of the QC1 Pre-Delivery Check performed with the ISID (ISTA Diagnosis). IMPORTANT: There is no programming involved!

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.