Major Problems with BMW X3 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used BMW X3 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for BMW X3

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of BMW X3.

Model Year	Complaints
2020 X3	1
2019 X3	28
2018 X3	11
2017 X3	24
2016 X3	31
2015 X3	38
2014 X3	33
2013 X3	98
2012 X3	25
2011 X3	64
2010 X3	13
2009 X3	10
2008 X3	35
2007 X3	58
2006 X3	131
2005 X3	101
2004 X3	133

Worst 3 BMW X3 complaints

2017 BMW X3 AIR BAGS Victims: 3

2013 BMW X3 SERVICE BRAKES Victims: 2 Mileage: 16150 miles

2018 BMW X3 SERVICE BRAKES Victims: 2 Mileage: 2000 miles

Browse BMW X3 complaints by category

Problems with AIR BAGS, ENGINE and SEATS are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from BMW X3 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
AIR BAGS airbags didn't deploy in high-impact front end crash. vehicle was traveling 30-35 mph. vehicle was totaled....	209 ~ 38181 miles
ENGINE there were a total of 4 incidences. 2/21/15 took bmw x3 xdrive28i to dealer with 112 miles on car after...	145 ~ 72825 miles
SEATS passenger side 'airbag off' warning light comes on on initial start goes off momentarily and comes back on with adult...	122 ~ 84074 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2015 bmw x3 diesel. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. the...	102 ~ 60171 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER this morning around 10am central time while i am driving the vehicle straight on a city street at about 10mph...	72 ~ 32057 miles
POWER TRAIN uncommanded engine acceleration while slowing to a stop: while slowing to a stop at a stoplight with foot on the...	65 ~ 71494 miles
SERVICE BRAKES this system has not provided a warning or braking function since i purchased the vehicle on 14 oct 2014. i...	52 ~ 31127 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL tl* the contact owns a 2015 bmw x3. the contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed the vehicle...	45 ~ 38176 miles
STEERING complete failure of power steering without warning or apparent reason in a brand new car tremendous effort required to steer...	42 ~ 35553 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING during replacement of the xenon headlamp bulbs on the vehicle i noticed that all the vinyl wire covering material had...	30 ~ 56974 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS tl*the contact owns a 2006 bmw x3. while driving approximately 70 mph on normal road conditions the air bag warning...	30 ~ 55618 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE sunroof suddenly exploded while driving on a highway. it was like an explosion from the inside and the glass shattered.	22 ~ 41572 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM on march 4 2018 while at a red light at an intersection in boca raton fl all of sudden no...	19 ~ 61275 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING emissions problem and reduced engin power problem. bmw 2017 x3 issue: worn waste gate valve/replace turbocharger and oil feed line...	18 ~ 38255 miles
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw x3. while driving the driver's seat heating element burned through the seat to...	16 ~ 80945 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL when i turn on the car the electrical dashboard has a delay. i turn on the car start to drive...	15 ~ 36845 miles
OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION > SENSOR > AIR BAGS passenger occupancy sensor failure. reported under warranty when problem was intermittent was told nothing was wrong. problem now persistent after...	12 ~ 56603 miles
SEAT BELTS on april 3 2015 we were about start our 7 day spring break trip to northern california from our home...	11 ~ 42315 miles
STRUCTURE experienced a wet floor board in backseat on the driver side along with a puddle in the front driver side....	10 ~ 36292 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER the rear lift gate window is permanently tinted dark. this makes driving in cloudy rainy low visibility and night time...	8 ~ 29400 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 2011 bmw x3. consumer states multiple drive train failures *tgw the consumer stated while driving the vehicle lost power while...	8 ~ 13827 miles
FRONT PASSENGER > OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION > SENSOR as with other bmw's these too have faulty occupancy sensors which should not be going bad across other lines. there...	7 ~ 52176 miles
WHEELS bought a new 2014 bmw x3. in november 2014 without any warning this suv had a mechanical breakdown in the...	6 ~ 42780 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2011 bmw x3. consumer writes in regards to assembly bolts recall notice issues. *smd the consumer was informed the parts	5 ~ 17030 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE my complaint is similar to the following: quote nhtsa id number: 10546733 the issue is when you step on the...	5 ~ 47446 miles
CRANKCASE (PCV) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM 2011 bmw x3 xdrive28i. consumer writes in regard to safety recall no. 17v-683 pcv valve heater and inquires if reimbursement	4 ~ 30500 miles
TIRES tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw x3. the contact stated the vehicle would abnormally veer towards the right while...	4 ~ 15995 miles
SUSPENSION for the past 3 months i keep getting this message on the dashboard: drivetrain malfunction: drive moderately. maximum drivetrain output...	3 ~ 55067 miles
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY after each rainfall front and/or rear passenger footwells flood depending on the angle that the vehicle is parked. dealership replaced	3 ~ 37167 miles
ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING car reports steering malfunction and electrical power steering assist is not provided. appears similar to issue with power steering system	3 ~ 7167 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT tl*the contact owns a 2006 bmw x3. whenever the heat or air conditioning is activated the contact smells burning plastic...	3 ~ 36373 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY i purchased a 'certified" bmw 330i in december of 2006 and have had the fuel pump replaced instrument carrier replaced...	3 ~ 47667 miles
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY 04 mini cooper s cracked windshield. i washed the windshield at the gas station 10 minutes earlier there was no...	3 ~ 9033 miles
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS 2004 bmw - front air bag disable enabled by it's self. has been repair twice already. now happening for a	3 ~ 5867 miles
TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE > TIRES 2013 bmw x3 28i. consumer writes in regards to vehicle run flat tires absence of oem approved spare tires and	2 ~ 62500 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl* the contact owns a 2014 bmw x3. the contact stated that while driving 20 mph the brakes failed to...	2 ~ 4030 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i was unloading a box from the rear liftgate of the 2013 bmw x3 and brushed against the protruding chrome...	2 ~ 25650 miles
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT 2006 bmw x3 .heated seats burned a hole on the left side of the driver seat causing burns to my	2 ~ 27500 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES i was in a unsafe area so i locked the doors an closed all the windows with my keys inside...	2 ~ 59500 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION auto type: 2005 bmw x3 sav. the vehicle has had a history of failures with the operation system with regard...	2 ~ 56500 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION my transmission/vehicle at 40mph on flat or slight decent will jerk back and forth when you take your foot off...	2 ~ 45000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC i was driving down the road at approx. 20 - 30 mph. there was a vehicle in front of me....	2 ~ 36000 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY 2005 bmwx3 is making me sick. i turned the heat on & i started to feel ill. my symptoms got...	2
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE dt: 2004 bmw motorcycle 1150r vin zf49715 defective fuel system part fuel line quick release connector "s" bmw part #13317659119....	2 ~ 28000 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING blinded by high intensity headlamps. almost lost control of vehicle. first let me thank you for closing down the distribution...	2
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES upon entering or exiting the vehicle and while driving there is no visual or audible indicators letting one know that...	2 ~ 7500 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM multiple electronic problems from day of purchase. fuel gauge problems/air conditioning shut down and slowing/dashboard malfunctioned cumulating in failure of	2 ~ 60 miles
TAILGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE tail gate opens randomly when car is parked and stationary. tail gate has also opened when traveling at a low...	1 ~ 10 miles
LOCK > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES the tailgate opened by itself while i was driving on the highway. i had a short local driving before entering...	1 ~ 1200 miles
CRITICAL FASTENERS > SEAT BELTS dealership refused to perform recall on car for seat belt bracket saying they did not have the time. appointment was	1
HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2019 bmw x3. while driving various speeds the liftgate spontaneously opened. additionally when the push...	1 ~ 100 miles
CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw x3. the contact recently purchased the vehicle and noticed that there was an...	1 ~ 92000 miles
CAMERA > SENSING SYSTEM > BACK OVER PREVENTION tl* the contact owns a 2018 bmw x3. while reversing the vehicle the rearview camera spontaneously blacked out intermittently. the...	1 ~ 20600 miles
INFLATOR MODULE > PASSENGER SIDE > FRONTAL in 2008 bmw recalled 200 000 vehicles because of faulty passenger occupancy sensors (nhtsa campaign number: 08v384000) including my vehicle...	1
PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES tl* the contact owns a 2014 bmw x3. when the outside temperature dropped the tire pressure sensor goes off and...	1 ~ 14000 miles
VALVE > TIRES 2014 bmw x3 the sensor to the left rear tire has now indicated that the tire has gone low for...	1
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE i'd unlocked my door and when i tried to close it it wouldn't close like it should. it's like the...	1 ~ 102500 miles
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw x3. the contact stated that the rear windshield wiper would not stop and...	1 ~ 740 miles
HEAD RESTRAINT > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS 2013 bmw x3. consumer writes in regards to position of front seat head restraints. *ld the consumer stated the postion	1
EQUIPMENT air conditioner temperature began to warm just on drivers side but remained cool on drivers side. based upon my many...	1 ~ 44600 miles
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN tl*the contact owns a 2004 bmw x3. the contact stated his wife was driving approximately 45 mph when suddenly the...	1 ~ 80700 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING august 1 2010 took car to local bmw dealership northpoint to have air conditioner checked prior to 100 0000 mile...	1 ~ 107215 miles
ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT > MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT the manufacturer supplied scissor style auto jack collapsed just before it reached full extension. tire not yet clear of ground...	1 ~ 83434 miles
FAN > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. while idling at a traffic light the engine stalled followed by smoke...	1 ~ 505000 miles
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY auto type: 2005 bmw x3 sav. the vehicle has had a history of failures with the operation system with regard...	1 ~ 38000 miles
COIL SPRINGS > SPRINGS > REAR a piece of the strut coil spring fell off while my car was parked. it appears to be rusted and...	1 ~ 57000 miles
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE i purchased a 'certified" bmw 330i in december of 2006 and have had the fuel pump replaced instrument carrier replaced...	1
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i purchased a 'certified" bmw 330i in december of 2006 and have had the fuel pump replaced instrument carrier replaced...	1
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY dt: the contact turned the defogger on to defrost the windows in vehicle. fifteen minutes later he was driving down...	1
TREAD/BELT > TIRES tl*the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. the vehicle has bridgestone turanza el42 size p235/55r17 tires. while driving various speeds...	1
SIDEWALL > TIRES blow out causing vehicle to cross over lanes and almost hitting other vehicles. tire continental size & name conti touring	1
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY > LINKAGES > STEERING on july 25th 2005 at 12:30 pm my daughter lost steering control of our 2004 mini cooper (18 000...	1 ~ 18000 miles
CONNECTING > RELAY > ROD on july 25th 2005 at 12:30 pm my daughter lost steering control of our 2004 mini cooper (18 000 total...	1 ~ 18000 miles
KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND > MOTORCYCLE > STRUCTURE dt: bmw motorcycle r1200cl 2004 purchased new side stand is bending the frame causing motorcycle to bend over further and	1 ~ 100 miles
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i was helping one of our consumers resolve an issue with this mfg. when i looked at their street legal...	1
BEAD > TIRES since buying my car i had issues with the flat tire monitor indicator light coming on. i continually checked the...	1
WHEEL CYLINDERS > DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS please find my email transactions in regards to my 2004 bmw 525i break problem with bmw usa/assael bmw (monrovia ca)...	1 ~ 7000 miles
FLOOR SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION the transmission selector is able to be moved from drive to reverse without having to depress the brakes and safety.	1 ~ 150 miles
FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER multiple electronic problems from day of purchase. fuel gauge problems/air conditioning shut down and slowing/dashboard malfunctioned cumulating in failure of	1 ~ 120 miles

FAQ

What year BMW X3 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 17 years, BMW X3 models of 2020, 2009, 2018 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for BMW X3?

BMW X3 models of 2004 and 2006 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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