[allinon72]

Wondering if this is just me or others - about once or twice a week, I'll get in the car, start it up with the key in my pocket, and it'll flash "vehicle key is missing" followed by a disconnection of CarPlay. The key message goes away and the car drives as normal, but to get CarPlay back I have to either turn the car off and back on or reboot idrive. Seems like it only happens when I drive the car a short distance, shut it off, then start it up again (as in going into a store and coming back out to leave after 20 minutes).

Anyone else experience this issue and if so, get it resolved at the dealer?

[Steveo535]

I get the missing key message after I have started the car but don't use the CarPlay so not to sure about that.

Had it in to the Dealers but he couldn't replicate the fault so I guess just something I have to live with.

[S1ngl3t0n]

Similar experience but without carplay as I have an android phone

[allinon72]

Those who don't use CarPlay - any issues with Bluetooth connection afterwards?

[AlexFL]

Check if the personal hotspot on your phone is off. I always have two devices with me, my iPhone and my iPad Pro, and the hotspot connection between those two was sometimes creating havoc with the CarPlay connection. It took me some time to find that out.

[S1ngl3t0n]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Those who don't use CarPlay - any issues with Bluetooth connection afterwards?

Yes sir! Had to stop and start engine again to reconnect the mobile via BT

I didnt find out how to reproduce it...

[btks]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Wondering if this is just me or others - about once or twice a week, I'll get in the car, start it up with the key in my pocket, and it'll flash "vehicle key is missing" followed by a disconnection of CarPlay. The key message goes away and the car drives as normal, but to get CarPlay back I have to either turn the car off and back on or reboot idrive. Seems like it only happens when I drive the car a short distance, shut it off, then start it up again (as in going into a store and coming back out to leave after 20 minutes).

Anyone else experience this issue and if so, get it resolved at the dealer?

I experience this with both CarPlay and Bluetooth. Also, the preset buttons will stop working as well. BMW has not been able to resolve the problem after five or more service visits. I have had the body domain controller replaced, key fobs replaced numerous times, some antenna in the rear of the vehicle, etc. And, of course, BMW has been unable to replicate the problem given that it is intermittent.

There's another thread here about my problem - https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1747624

[picosp]

Happens to me too, without CarPlay ! Here’s when it happens when it happens. I’m in the driver’s seat with car running, my wife opens the door while car is still running then I get the “key is missing” message. At that point I have to turn the car off completely before I’m able to use BT. Dealer could not replicate the problem. Very frustrating.

[picosp]

And oh wow, I haven’t updated my signature in 12 yrs!

[forza1976]

You guys try replacing the remote batteries? Maybe a weak battery is causing it?

[calpharo]

Have this same problem in my F90. Was told that if your key is in your left pocket (for left side drive vehicles) that the antenna will not pick up the key. I call BS from my dealer with this excuse.

The workaround: press the lock then the unlock buttons on your key (while the car is running) when you get "key not found" message and the Bluetooth connection will re-establish.

It's annoying, but beats having to leave your car at the dealer for them to troubleshoot to come back and say "could not duplicate"

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by calpharo

Have this same problem in my F90. Was told that if your key is in your left pocket (for left side drive vehicles) that the antenna will not pick up the key. I call BS from my dealer with this excuse.

The workaround: press the lock then the unlock buttons on your key (while the car is running) when you get "key not found" message and the Bluetooth connection will re-establish.

It's annoying, but beats having to leave your car at the dealer for them to troubleshoot to come back and say "could not duplicate"

I call BS too...as literally the point of not having a key is to leave the fob in your pocket

I also don't get the correlation between the key and the Bluetooth connection, unless the key operates on the Bluetooth spectrum?

[2020X3MCDG]

Had this happen the other day. It happened after a door was opened. Son returned a movie at Redbox. I never left the car, car was running key in my left pocket. Message went away after I pulled away.

CarPlay also has quit working a while ago. Seems unrelated and I have not had time to mess with it.

[DAC17]

Originally Posted by brunofernandez

Similar experience but without carplay as I have an android phone

Same here; just happened today. Got the key missing message, held it up to the steering wheel, but wouldn't let my Galaxy S20FE connect.

Has there been a wireless software update?

[allinon72]

After seeing several others report this issue in different threads, I'm pretty convinced this is a widespread issue. May even affect all vehicles.

[BMWZ4]

I've had mine just over a year now and have not experienced a missing key message. Production date was ~Sept 2019

[DAC17]

Mine was produced Oct. 2019. Just changed the battery in the fob, and it seems to work as normal again. I'll see how the next couple of weeks go. Seems odd that it needed a battery that soon, but I know newer cars suck up lots of power in various ways.

[btks]

Originally Posted by calpharo

Have this same problem in my F90. Was told that if your key is in your left pocket (for left side drive vehicles) that the antenna will not pick up the key. I call BS from my dealer with this excuse.

The workaround: press the lock then the unlock buttons on your key (while the car is running) when you get "key not found" message and the Bluetooth connection will re-establish.

It's annoying, but beats having to leave your car at the dealer for them to troubleshoot to come back and say "could not duplicate"

It's BS. I met with a rep from BMW and he told me that the antenna in the rear of the vehicle should pickup the key even when you are outside of the vehicle. I'm surprised that they didn't ask if you keep your key fobs and phone in the same pocket - this can cause interference. The rep from BMW also informed me that they have seen one instance where the wireless charging pad caused interference with detection of the key.

[Salespunk]

BMW has the worst keyless and CarPlay implementations in the industry. Whomever is responsible for them in engineering should be replaced immediately. Problems I have had consistently across multiple BMW vehicles;

Key not found
CarPlay automatically pops up or changes screens every time a message is received
(This is hugely distracting when driving my wife's car and she is in the passenger seat texting and a huge safety concern)
CarPlay constant crashes
CarPlay won't activate
Seat memory randomly selects a memory position with no rhyme or reason
Seat memory doesn't work when both keys are in the vehicle

This is not limited to the X3. I have seen this on multiple F30's, F82, G05, F90 and even earlier vehicles regarding the keyless issues. Not sure why they can't get this figured out yet my Ram truck, my wife's Volvo, etc are all perfect every time.

[btks]

allinon72 Salespunk DAC17 calpharo A representative from BMW had a conference call with the product team of the X3M to discuss the intermittent issue. The product team advised to replace three comfort access antennas on the vehicle. I'll let you know if I continue to experience this problem once I have my X3MC back. It's still at the collision center waiting for the rear bumper and spoiler respray.

[sd306]

No issue here late 2019 production date, and keep the key in my left pocket with the bmw M cover. I keep my phone in the right pocket.

My SO drives the car with her key and phone in her purse in the passenger seat. No issues.

[allinon72]

Had this happen to me 3 times yesterday, which has never happened, except this time it would not reconnect even with an Idrive reboot. Really starting to get annoying - considering having the dealer look at it even though it's probably a waste of time.