2011 X3 oil level sensor malfunction

Giz, your Neon is a very unsophisticated machine. Aside from everything else (driving dynamics, etc.) it is not really comparable to the new X3. It also has a dipstick!

Sophistication does not mean it shouldn't do what it is designed to do. It is a turbo 4 cylinder that has been making over 400hp and 400ft lbs of torque for over 4 years on stock internals and gets track time nearly every weekend in the summer. I see your point, but it is the same in that the engine has a crankcase with oil it in and a WORKING system for validating that oil level. Basically my point is that my cheap Dodge Neon has been working far outside of the parameters Dodge designed it for for over 4 years. The brand new BMW hasn't even worked within the parameters BMW designed it for in 2 months, unless 32 degrees is the minimum temp they are supposed to be used at.

Originally Posted by raleedy

Spring is just around the corner.

I hope this is not the case oth mine. Picked up the first of two x3's today.

Originally Posted by Gizmodo

That doesn't change the fact that this is a 100% unacceptable problem to have with a brand new car. Less than 1500 miles and it has been in twice? Even my Dodge Neon hasn't been in that many times in 6 years and I beat the hell out of that car.

IMO get rid of it asap. Once you go down this road with BMW they will keep delaying and putting you off until you get tired and go away.

The next thing that will happen is "Its your driving".

They did this with the HPFP and they did it with the GM6 AT. Seems they screw up 1 in 10 cars and when you get that one you are in trouble.

Start documenting now and let them know that you will pursue a lemon law replacement after 4 attempts (or whatever is applicable in your state). They will never fix it if you don't.

Just sharing my experience with my new 2.8 X3. Have about 1300 miles so far and about a week ago I saw the oil sensor malfunction error code pop up. I was still able to check the oil level, which sometimes take a minute or so. The problem has gone away completely and I haven't driven the car hard like some have suggested in this thread. Going to have BMW check it over in a few days.

Otherwise, the X3 is flawless. Love the tranny.....it shifts very smooth. I especially love the heated steering wheel.....of all things.

One thing that is a little overwhelming is the level of electronics. I have the navigation system and it's taken me a while to get used to all of the technology. I still learn things everyday. Of course my previous ride was a 1999 M3 and it's technology was very limited. But, it had a dipstick which I loved.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

IMO get rid of it asap. Once you go down this road with BMW they will keep delaying and putting you off until you get tired and go away.

The next thing that will happen is "Its your driving".

They did this with the HPFP and they did it with the GM6 AT. Seems they screw up 1 in 10 cars and when you get that one you are in trouble.

Start documenting now and let them know that you will pursue a lemon law replacement after 4 attempts (or whatever is applicable in your state). They will never fix it if you don't.

I've called every time to document it, the problem is they won't take the vehicle in. For the lemon law the car has to be serviced 3 times without getting fixed.

Originally Posted by wavewuver

Just sharing my experience with my new 2.8 X3. Have about 1300 miles so far and about a week ago I saw the oil sensor malfunction error code pop up. I was still able to check the oil level, which sometimes take a minute or so. The problem has gone away completely and I haven't driven the car hard like some have suggested in this thread. Going to have BMW check it over in a few days.

Otherwise, the X3 is flawless. Love the tranny.....it shifts very smooth. I especially love the heated steering wheel.....of all things.

One thing that is a little overwhelming is the level of electronics. I have the navigation system and it's taken me a while to get used to all of the technology. I still learn things everyday. Of course my previous ride was a 1999 M3 and it's technology was very limited. But, it had a dipstick which I loved.

I agree, my wife loves everything about the car. The oil level sensor is working, it just doesn't react as fast as the computer thinks it should. That's my understanding of the error.

Originally Posted by Gizmodo

I've called every time to document it, the problem is they won't take the vehicle in. For the lemon law the car has to be serviced 3 times without getting fixed.

I agree, my wife loves everything about the car. The oil level sensor is working, it just doesn't react as fast as the computer thinks it should. That's my understanding of the error.

Not true. If they refuse to service it, get it in writing. Write a simple statement concerning the problem and have them sign off they won't check it out.

On my 535xi the oil level sensor did not give a reading until I had driven several miles.

Hey count me in. After a grand total of 650 miles my oil sensor crapped out. Who is the dipstick at BMW who didn't correct this defect before releasing the car for sale? Oh thats right this is BMW, no dipsticks here. Way to go BMW!!!

Hello QC problems. The electronic dipstick concept is pretty old, dating back to mid-2005 with the 3er. Generally few problems there and with other BMW models. Why is this a problem NOW with the new X3?

The metal dipstick dates back to Henry Ford days, no history of problems like the electronic one. Keep it simple! Bad enough to have fuel pump issues, suspension issues etc. like BMWs have had why add more unneeded complexity and look for more problems? All I can say is it's ridiculous for any car to have to be in the shop after 650 miles for such a problem.

Got a feedback from a BMW Service Manager that they admit encountering this problem on the earlier production line, and claiming that it has been elevated on the newer ones...
Let's just hope it is not another funny story...

Originally Posted by primarymd

The metal dipstick dates back to Henry Ford days, no history of problems like the electronic one. Keep it simple! Bad enough to have fuel pump issues, suspension issues etc. like BMWs have had why add more unneeded complexity and look for more problems? All I can say is it's ridiculous for any car to have to be in the shop after 650 miles for such a problem.

Dipstick issues: they break; they stick; they disappear; they allow the introduction of foreign material into the lubrication system; they are misread; they show the incorrect level; they burn the user; and, most importantly, they are useless except when actively used.

Never broke a dipstick, never got burned, you gotta be kidding me. And if you actually take time to look under that thing called the "hood" you can look at other things like the brake fluid level, antifreeze level, belts, etc. Why don't we just weld the thing shut, forget the hinges, if no one wants to take the time to look things over.

Originally Posted by primarymd

Never broke a dipstick, never got burned, you gotta be kidding me. And if you actually take time to look under that thing called the "hood" you can look at other things like the brake fluid level, antifreeze level, belts, etc. Why don't we just weld the thing shut, forget the hinges, if no one wants to take the time to look things over.

Well, that may be your entertainment. I have other things I prefer to do.

The point is, simple is better a lot of times. For instance this morning my TPM light came on (they seem to always do that after dramtic shift in temp from hot to cold weather). So I pulled out my simple yet accurate air pressure gauge and it said 34 psi, but wait my electronic one said different. Oh wait it just tturned off.

Guess what? When I checked the air no one ran over my foot, the air didn't blow dust in my eyes, and the cap didn't wedge under my nails.

Maybe if they spent the money on the TPM instead of the oil sensor both these problems would go away.

The point is, if you can't get it right don't release it and fix it later. Short cutting this may have saved a little time, but cost them a sale.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

The point is, simple is better a lot of times. ...The point is, if you can't get it right don't release it and fix it later. Short cutting this may have saved a little time, but cost them a sale.

Possibly more then one sale...
Good luck to all test-drivers of X3...

Yeah, they're really in the tank on sales. Just look at the numbers. TPM by the way is a federal mandate in the US because folks can't be depended on to check their tire pressure. On my E 92, in 3-1/2 years, it has never malfunctioned.

I have had the warning on couple of days ago...car only 3,000 km on it.
We do not have Lemon Law in Cananda.
Anybody with any experience how to best handle this situation?

They changed the oil sensor on my X3 and it's been good since then

i have the same problem too , 28i,13k, i just wondering why bmw wont use a dipstick, the light just pop up , and

Originally Posted by Shaw

I have had the warning on couple of days ago...car only 3,000 km on it.
We do not have Lemon Law in Cananda.
Anybody with any experience how to best handle this situation?

Even if there was a lemon law, that's not enough to cause an action under it.

Just get it fixed.

Got a call from the dealership-Service:
"Problem is with the Software that needs upgrading to (Integration Level 2.44) and it should be OK"
Apparantly this is a diagnostic that BMW has found out recently while in the past the kept replacing the sensors.

Any comment on this guys?

That was the first thing they did when I brought it in. they updated the software. but that was last feb 2011. and it didn't work. maybe they have a new software available.

and then what happened?