Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Bmw X3 SAV problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

56 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

68,995 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data updated: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 56 complaints (51.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation58.9%
Transmission and shifting47.1%
Electrical and battery issues23.6%
Steering behavior23.6%
Braking behavior11.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
29
Engine
9
Seats
5
Fuel/Propulsion System
4
Unknown Or Other
4
Power Train
3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Suspension
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags29
Engine9
Seats5
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Unknown Or Other4
Power Train3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission3
Suspension3

Air Bags: 29; Engine: 9; Seats: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Power Train: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Suspension: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
6
50,000 to 74,999
8
75,000 to 99,999
7
100,000 to 149,999
7
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9996
50,000 to 74,9998
75,000 to 99,9997
100,000 to 149,9997
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2010
3
2012
2
2013
4
2014
9
2015
3
2016
22
2017
8
2018
5
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20103
20122
20134
20149
20153
201622
20178
20185

2010: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 9; 2015: 3; 2016: 22; 2017: 8; 2018: 5

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10314764 · 2010-02-27 (February 27, 2010)

OWN A 2008 BMW X3 3.0 SI AWD. WE HAD AN ENGINE CRANKING ISSUE AND TOOK TO VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE TSB SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : SIB-12-17-07/NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10028464 PERFORMED. SINCE THIS WAS PERFORMED, THERE IS VERY POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE IN THE NORMAL TRANSMISSION MODE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL STALL TO ENGAGE WITH VERY ERRATIC AND HARD UP AND DOWN SHIFTS. THE CONCERN IS WITH THE DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, WHEN YOU GIVE IT THROTTLE, IT IS DELAYED TO RESPOND, PRESENTING A TRUE SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE HAS …

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10314764 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10347033 · 2010-08-03 (August 3, 2010)

THIS VEHICLE IS A BMW X3 3.0SI. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN FIRST GEAR, THERE IS A SEVERE HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE TRANSMISSION "THINKS" ABOUT WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN. THE VEHICLE HESITATES, STALLS SLIGHTLY, AND CREEPS ALONG SLOWLY BEFORE SECOND GEAR CATCHES. THE RPMS ARE ERRATIC WHEN ACCELERATING. VERY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE HESITATION IS THE MAIN ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT OF AN INTERSECTION ACROSS TRAFFIC. IT CAN BECOME A VERY SCARY SITUATION WHEN YOU WANT TO ACCE…

Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347033 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10306300 · 2010-02-05 (February 5, 2010)

MY BMW X3 2008 WAS 'BOUGHT BACK' BY BMW AFTER THREE MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP IN DEC 2008 DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AT RANDOM TIMES. IT HAPPENED ONCE AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM AN EZPASS BOOTH - THE CAR JUST FROZE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS SO SERIOUS THAT BMW RECOGNIZED IT AS A PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT FIX IT DESPITE REPLACING MAJOR TRANSMISSION PARTS. THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS NOT A GENERAL PROBLEM IN X3'S SO I ALLOWED THEM TO REPLACE THE 200…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10306300 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10934311 · 2016-12-09 (December 9, 2016)

MY CAR WAS ON RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. I WAS NOTIFIED IN MARCH 2016. I WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. WHEN I DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM STILL BY EARLY AUGUST I ASKED FOR A LOANER CAR AS I NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT WORRY ABOUT THE AIRBAG. BMW INSTRUCTED ME TO PARK MY CAR AND "NOT DRIVE IT" WHICH I DID. FINALLY ON 11/28/16 THEY SAID THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. THE RESULT FROM IT SITTING FOR SO LONG HAS RUSTED MY PERFECTLY MAINTAINED BRAKES AND ROTORS TO BE NOT S…

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10934311 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10993087 · 2017-06-04 (June 4, 2017)

SINCE PURCHASE IN 2013 FROM A DEALER, WITH ONLY 43000 MILE CHANGED BATTERY TWICE AT BMW PETER PAN, REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, WINDOW REGULATOR, REPLACED STARTER , PLUS OTHER SERVICES AND WINDOW WIPERS ARE FAULTY, T-CASE ACTUATOR REPLACED, SWAY BAR REPLACED, TOTALING $9531.38. I TRIED TO COMPLAIN TO BMW CORPORATION FOR SELLING A LEMON CAR . PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS CAR. RIGHT NOW IT ONLY HAS 57K MILES ON IT AND I AM BEING TOLD IT NEEDS MORE WORK.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10993087 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10455371 · 2012-04-16 (April 16, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE LATCH UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL DISENGAGED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK INTO PLACE AND MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 05/11/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 12, 2012. UPDAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455371 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

56 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

58.9%Usable mileage33 / 56 records
100.0%Valid incident date56 / 56 records
100.0%Valid filing date56 / 56 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates56 / 56 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component200720082009201020112012
Air Bags
4025.0%
ODI 10482751

OUR BMW X3 CURRENTLY HAS A LITTLE UNDER 60,000 MILES ON IT. BACK IN APRIL WE BEGAN HAVING A SIGNAL ON OUR DASH DISPLAY INDICATING THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED WHEN IN FACT MY WIFE WAS SITTING THERE. SHE COULD MOVE AROUND A BIT AND IT WOULD GO OUT. OVER TIME THE LIGHT HAS DEFAULTED TO ALWAYS ON. WE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO TOLD US THAT THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH IT IS FOR A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FEATURE WOULD CAST ABOUT $1000.00, WHICH IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY FEATURE THAT HAS NOW BECOME A LIABILITY. BMW HAS HAD A RECALL …

Look up ODI 10482751 at NHTSA ↗

2951.8%
ODI 10558092 · 12,000 mi

PASSENGER SEAT ALARM WOULD GO OFF CONSTANTLY WITHOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THE SEAT. BMW REPLACED SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE FIXED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING SUMMER 2012 WHEN ALARM ON SEAT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN ON A REGULAR BASIS. BMW REFUSED TO REPLACE UNTIL COMPLAINT FILED AND I STATED IT WAS A DRIVING HAZARD DUE TO ATTEMPTING TO FUMBLE WITH BELT WHILE DRIVING TO STOP ALARM BY SECURING BELT. BMW OFFERED TO REPLACE ALARM SENSOR I HAD TO PAY $300.00 FOR LABOR. THIS WAS LATE SEPT 2012. SHORTLY AFTER DUE TO COLD WEATHER ALARM DID NO…

Look up ODI 10558092 at NHTSA ↗

1062.5%
ODI 10822097

THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V-384 FOR DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY AND PROTECT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH IS EXTENDED FOR 10 YEARS ONLY COVERS MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 OF THE BMW X3 DESPITE THE FIRST GENERATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING PRODUCED FROM 2003 - 2010 AND VEHICLES FROM ALL OTHER YEARS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. FOR INSTANCE MY OWN VEHICLE IS MODEL YEAR 2009 AND EXHIBITS ALL SYMPTOMS OF THE AIR BAG ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NO…

Look up ODI 10822097 at NHTSA ↗

1565.2%
ODI 10893940

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ *TR

Look up ODI 10893940 at NHTSA ↗

323.1%
ODI 11082458

TAKATA RECALL: THE DEALER HAD FAILED TO OBTAIN THE PART OR PARTS NECESSARY TO FIX THE AIRBAGS PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS ALREADY SINCE THEY CLAIMED HAD ORDERED THE PARTS. I CALLED BACK, MADE APPOINTMENT, CONFIRMED APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I WENT BACK TO DEALER, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART. THEY SAID THEY WERE ORDERING IT AND WILL CALL ME BACK. WEEKS HAD PASSED AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WOULD NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS AND THEN IT WOULD BE TOO LATE.

Look up ODI 11082458 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seats
3723.1%
ODI 10438133 · 71,000 mi

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER GOT WAY TOO HOT. NEED TO TURN OFF TO AVOID BURN OF BOTH SEAT AND DRIVER'S LEG. *TR

Look up ODI 10438133 at NHTSA ↗

58.9%
ODI 10558092 · 12,000 mi

PASSENGER SEAT ALARM WOULD GO OFF CONSTANTLY WITHOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THE SEAT. BMW REPLACED SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE FIXED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING SUMMER 2012 WHEN ALARM ON SEAT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN ON A REGULAR BASIS. BMW REFUSED TO REPLACE UNTIL COMPLAINT FILED AND I STATED IT WAS A DRIVING HAZARD DUE TO ATTEMPTING TO FUMBLE WITH BELT WHILE DRIVING TO STOP ALARM BY SECURING BELT. BMW OFFERED TO REPLACE ALARM SENSOR I HAD TO PAY $300.00 FOR LABOR. THIS WAS LATE SEPT 2012. SHORTLY AFTER DUE TO COLD WEATHER ALARM DID NO…

Look up ODI 10558092 at NHTSA ↗

318.8%
ODI 10822097

THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V-384 FOR DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY AND PROTECT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH IS EXTENDED FOR 10 YEARS ONLY COVERS MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 OF THE BMW X3 DESPITE THE FIRST GENERATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING PRODUCED FROM 2003 - 2010 AND VEHICLES FROM ALL OTHER YEARS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. FOR INSTANCE MY OWN VEHICLE IS MODEL YEAR 2009 AND EXHIBITS ALL SYMPTOMS OF THE AIR BAG ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NO…

Look up ODI 10822097 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.7%
ODI 10946280 · 60,900 mi

VEHICLES HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH LOWER ANCHOR BARS FOR USE IN ATTACHING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS WHICH, IF SPECIFICALLY USED WITH EUROPEAN-ISOFIX-TYPE RIGID-STYLE CONNECTOR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, COULD BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THE LOWER ANCHOR BAR(S) BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THIS WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD IN A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM ATTACHED TO THE LOWER ANCHOR BARS IN A CRASH. A REINFORCING BRACKET WILL BE WELDED TO THE LOWER ANCHOR BARS AND THE VEHICLE BODY.

Look up ODI 10946280 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
1811.3%
ODI 10505636 · 75,000 mi

3 OUT OF 4 ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DROP 2 INCHES AND DAMAGE THE COOLING SYSTEM. IF THE ENGINE HAD DROPPED FURTHER IT WOULD LIKELY HAVE CAUSED A MORE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND ACCIDENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10505636 at NHTSA ↗

916.1%
ODI 10508062 · 58,600 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL STREET, FELT AN UNUSUAL "BUMP", CONTINUED DRIVING HOME WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEM. STARTED CAR NEXT MORNING AND FELT AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION AND NOISE WHICH DISAPPEARED WHEN DRIVING. VIBRATION AT IDLE CONTINUED, TWO DAYS LATER, AFTER DRIVING ON FREEWAY, I FOUND A BROKEN BOLT UNDER THE CAR IN GARAGE, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WAS TOLD THAT SEVERAL MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND WAS LUCKY NO SERIOUS DAMAGE OCCURRED. QUICK INTERNET SEARCH INDICATED SHEARED MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS …

Look up ODI 10508062 at NHTSA ↗

16.3%
ODI 10865284 · 80,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNMOVED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IT SUDDENLY BROKE OUT IN FLAMES (ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT). THE FIRE GREW QUITE LARGE AND THE CAR EXPLODED (THE POLICE OFFICER'S WORD). SECURITY CAMERAS ON THE PROPERTY SHOW NO ONE IN THE AREA TO TAMPER WITH THE CAR. THIS WAS SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. A GOOGLE SEARCH OF "2009 BMW X3 FIRE" SHOWS MANY OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS.

Look up ODI 10865284 at NHTSA ↗

28.7%
ODI 10782371 · 25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10782371 at NHTSA ↗

430.8%
ODI 10876485 · 49,000 mi

VEHICLE IS PARKED ON DRIVEWAY THE ENGINE STARTED . DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION SHOWS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. ENGINE STARTS BUT CAN NOT PUT IT DRIVE OR REVERSE

Look up ODI 10876485 at NHTSA ↗

350.0%
ODI 10969444 · 12,000 mi

IN 3 OCCASIONS (WITHIN 2 YEARS DURATION) WHEN I BRAKED THE CAR (BRAND NEW 2012 X3 2.8I) GENTLY TO STOP IT, IT SLOWED DOWN FIRSTLY BUT ALL IN A SUDDEN IT ACCELERATED WITH ENGINE REVVED UP (WITH NOTICEABLE ENGINE NOISE), THE BRAKE SEEMED LOSING POWER AT ALL. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I COULD BE ABLE TO STOP IT (BY FLOORING THE BRAKE) BEFORE HITTING THE ROADBLOCK AND THE CARPARK ENTRANCE GATE, THE THIRD TIME I COULD DO NOTHING BUT HIT INTO ANOTHER CAR IN THE CARPARK DUE TO THE SHORT DISTANCE. I'M SURE THAT I WAS NOT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL ACCIDENTALLY…

Look up ODI 10969444 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
2817.5%
ODI 10196373 · 9,500 mi

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND, MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. VEHICLE ALSO HAS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, CAUSING IT TO ROLL FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED. *TR

Look up ODI 10196373 at NHTSA ↗

35.4%
ODI 10306300 · 1,000 mi

MY BMW X3 2008 WAS 'BOUGHT BACK' BY BMW AFTER THREE MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP IN DEC 2008 DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AT RANDOM TIMES. IT HAPPENED ONCE AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM AN EZPASS BOOTH - THE CAR JUST FROZE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS SO SERIOUS THAT BMW RECOGNIZED IT AS A PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT FIX IT DESPITE REPLACING MAJOR TRANSMISSION PARTS. THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS NOT A GENERAL PROBLEM IN X3'S SO I ALLOWED THEM TO REPLACE THE 200…

Look up ODI 10306300 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
2113.1%
ODI 10253940

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AUTOMATICALLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, BUT THEY FOUND NO FAILURES. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESET THE SYSTEM BY TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND REMAINED LIT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO A CURVE AND CRASHED INT…

Look up ODI 10253940 at NHTSA ↗

11.8%
ODI 10993087

SINCE PURCHASE IN 2013 FROM A DEALER, WITH ONLY 43000 MILE CHANGED BATTERY TWICE AT BMW PETER PAN, REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, WINDOW REGULATOR, REPLACED STARTER , PLUS OTHER SERVICES AND WINDOW WIPERS ARE FAULTY, T-CASE ACTUATOR REPLACED, SWAY BAR REPLACED, TOTALING $9531.38. I TRIED TO COMPLAIN TO BMW CORPORATION FOR SELLING A LEMON CAR . PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS CAR. RIGHT NOW IT ONLY HAS 57K MILES ON IT AND I AM BEING TOLD IT NEEDS MORE WORK.

Look up ODI 10993087 at NHTSA ↗

318.8%
ODI 10344667 · 25,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING HIS VEHICLE AT 9 AM HE RECEIVED A CALL AT 2 PM STATING THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WHEN HE WALKED OUTSIDE HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE POLICE ALSO RESPONDED AND FILED POLICE REPORT #2010-0000-122. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

Look up ODI 10344667 at NHTSA ↗

28.7%
ODI 10763124 · 33,500 mi

MANY DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. TOOK TO BMW OF ROCKVILLE MD. THEY DIAGNOSED FAILURE OF "FAULTY STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND COIL SPRING." THEY CONFIRMED THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THAT IT WAS NOTHING WE DID THAT CAUSED IT-- IT WAS A FAULTY PART. AFTER ONLY 33,000 MILES, TO HAVE A CRITICAL PART FAIL, SEEMS SERIOUS TO ME. THEY CHARGED US $2080.76 TO FIX, BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE WARRANTY DUE TO AGE OF CAR. TO MY MIND IF A PART FAULT OR FAILURE OCCURS, THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, A RECALL ISSUE, NOT A WARRANTY I…

Look up ODI 10763124 at NHTSA ↗

17.7%
ODI 11097235 · 68,900 mi

ONLY HAVE MY CAR FOR ONLY A YEAR. TAILLIGHT FROM PASSENGER SIDE: THE RUNNING LIGHT DEFECTS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY LIGHT AND THIS IS WELL KNOWN FOR THIS CAR. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY DRIVER RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON AND MY A/C OR TEMPERATURE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, AND CONTROL DISPLAY STOPPED WORKING. I AM NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE DRIVER SEAT. JUST BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL SERVICE. WAS TOLD THIS MAY SOLVE THE ISSUES AND MAY NOT. I…

Look up ODI 11097235 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train
159.4%
ODI 10253940

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AUTOMATICALLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, BUT THEY FOUND NO FAILURES. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESET THE SYSTEM BY TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND REMAINED LIT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO A CURVE AND CRASHED INT…

Look up ODI 10253940 at NHTSA ↗

35.4%
ODI 10663609 · 31,300 mi

FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR JERKING AND LURCHING WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE LOWER RPM RANGES. OF LATE THIS HAS BECOME SO BAD I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF MOSTLY BETWEEN 1,800 AND 2,400 RPM WITH THE MOST SEVERE ISSUES IN THE 2,200 TO 2,400 RPM RANGE. WHEN GOING FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN IT GETS JUST ABOVE 2,000 RPM IT BEGINS TO JERK AND LURCH WITH THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATING WILDLY. THE 4X4 LIGHT THEN COMES ON AND THE CAR COMPLE…

Look up ODI 10663609 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

215.4%
ODI 10887535 · 82,000 mi

I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE CONFIGURATION OF THE GEARSHIFT WHICH IS ELECTRONIC. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 50 YEARS AND EVERY CAR OR TRUCK I HAVE OWNED OR DRIVEN THE SHIFT LEVER WHEN PUSHED FORWARD ON THE CENTER CONSOLE OR UP ON THE COLUMN GOES INTO PARK. IN THIS BMW WHEN YOU PUSH THE SHIFT LEVEL ALL THE WAY FORWARD THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE NOT PARK, A SEPARATE BUTTON MUST BE PUSHED TO ELECTRONICALLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK.I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO BOTH THE DRIVER (WHO CAN THINK THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK AS I HAVE ON SEVERAL…

Look up ODI 10887535 at NHTSA ↗

116.7%
ODI 11128853 · 45,500 mi

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION BUCKS AND JERKS, SEARCHING AROUND FOR THE RIGHT GEAR. AFTER GOOGLING THIS, IT IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM THAT COSTS THOUSANDS TO FIX. WE'VE ALREADY SPENT APPROXIMATELY $1,500 ON IT, AND IT'S STILL HASN'T GONE AWAY. NEXT WOULD BE THE TRANSFER UNIT, WHICH IS UPWARDS OF $5,000. THE CAR ONLY HAS 46,000 MILES ON IT. THE LACK OF ACCELERATION IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF DANGER, MERGE SAFELY INTO TRAFFIC, ETC. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED.

Look up ODI 11128853 at NHTSA ↗

Steering
31.9%
ODI 10249190 · 16,700 mi

ON 10/27/08 I PURCHASED AND DROVE A 2007 CPO BMW X3 3.0SI SAV FROM BMW ENCINITAS IN CALIFORNIA. FROM THE TIME I DROVE VEHICLE FROM THE LOT TO MY HOME THE X3 PULLED TO THE RIGHT. ON 11/06/08 I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO BMW ENCIITAS. THE DEALER PERFORMED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO ME. DURING DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME THE CAR STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ON 11/13/08 I TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AGAIN, AND ADJUSTED THE CAMBER TO FAVOR THE LEFT SIDE. …

Look up ODI 10249190 at NHTSA ↗

11.8%
ODI 10455371 · 52,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE LATCH UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL DISENGAGED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK INTO PLACE AND MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 05/11/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 12, 2012. UPDAT…

Look up ODI 10455371 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

313.0%
ODI 10482523 · 28,888 mi

SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING POWER WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TURN IN MAJOR INTERSECTION. HEAVY ROAD TRAFFIC HERE IN FT LAUDERDALE, ALMOST CRASHED WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD ON WAY TO SCHOOL. THIS IS 3RD ATTEMPT TO FIX PROBLEM, CAR WAS RETURNED BUT NOT PROPERLY FIXED, TOOK BACK TO DEALER NEXT DAY WITH SAME ISSUE & ITS STILL THERE AFTER 14 DAYS, CONCERNED & FEAR FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AND SECURITY WHILE DRIVING THIS BMW DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING WHILE TURNING & DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC! *TR

Look up ODI 10482523 at NHTSA ↗

323.1%
ODI 10585849 · 25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE STEERING CONTROL MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

Look up ODI 10585849 at NHTSA ↗

116.7%
ODI 11113430 · 77,500 mi

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES IN WARM WEATHER, THE STEERING FEELS "STICKY" AND IS HARD TO KEEP IN THE LANE. IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU ARE FIGHTING TO MAKE THE SMALL CORRECTIONS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE CAR FROM DRIFTING OUTSIDE THE LANE, AND THAT THE STEERING IS "LOCKED" INTO POSITION. IT MAKES DRIVING THE CAR FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD ON THE HIGHWAY UNBEARABLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN ONLINE BMW FORUMS BY MULTIPLE OTHER BMW X3 OWNERS. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP CAN IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSES THE ISS…

Look up ODI 11113430 at NHTSA ↗

Unknown Or Other
10.6%
ODI 10669044 · 76,350 mi

ENGINE MOUNT BROKE, RESULTING IN EXTREME VIBRATION.

Look up ODI 10669044 at NHTSA ↗

47.1%
ODI 10934311 · 100,000 mi

MY CAR WAS ON RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. I WAS NOTIFIED IN MARCH 2016. I WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. WHEN I DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM STILL BY EARLY AUGUST I ASKED FOR A LOANER CAR AS I NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT WORRY ABOUT THE AIRBAG. BMW INSTRUCTED ME TO PARK MY CAR AND "NOT DRIVE IT" WHICH I DID. FINALLY ON 11/28/16 THEY SAID THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. THE RESULT FROM IT SITTING FOR SO LONG HAS RUSTED MY PERFECTLY MAINTAINED BRAKES AND ROTORS TO BE NOT S…

Look up ODI 10934311 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

14.3%
ODI 10618907 · 36,000 mi

RECEIVED NOTICE IN JUNE 2014 REGARDING RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 14V-176: VANOS ASSEMBLY BOLTS. AFTER AN INITIAL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED, FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER. A TELEPHONE CALL TO/FROM THE LOCAL BMW DEALER SUGGESTED THAT I BE PATIENT AND WAIT TO BE CONTACTED WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER, BMW OF SARASOTA IS A SUPERIOR DEALERSHIP - I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS WITH THEM, ONLY COMPLIMENTS. HOWEVER, AN E-MAIL SENT TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS, AT THE ADDRESS CONTAINED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, WAS NOT RESPONDED TO. I W…

Look up ODI 10618907 at NHTSA ↗

215.4%
ODI 10946280 · 60,900 mi

VEHICLES HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH LOWER ANCHOR BARS FOR USE IN ATTACHING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS WHICH, IF SPECIFICALLY USED WITH EUROPEAN-ISOFIX-TYPE RIGID-STYLE CONNECTOR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, COULD BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THE LOWER ANCHOR BAR(S) BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THIS WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD IN A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM ATTACHED TO THE LOWER ANCHOR BARS IN A CRASH. A REINFORCING BRACKET WILL BE WELDED TO THE LOWER ANCHOR BARS AND THE VEHICLE BODY.

Look up ODI 10946280 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Air Bags33,505–87,500 mi75,000 mi10
ODI 10558092 · 12,000 mi

PASSENGER SEAT ALARM WOULD GO OFF CONSTANTLY WITHOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THE SEAT. BMW REPLACED SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE FIXED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING SUMMER 2012 WHEN ALARM ON SEAT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN ON A REGULAR BASIS. BMW REFUSED TO REPLACE UNTIL COMPLAINT FILED AND I STATED IT WAS A DRIVING HAZARD DUE TO ATTEMPTING TO FUMBLE WITH BELT WHILE DRIVING TO STOP ALARM BY SECURING BELT. BMW OFFERED TO REPLACE ALARM SENSOR I HAD TO PAY $300.00 FOR LABOR. THIS WAS LATE SEPT 2012. SHORTLY AFTER DUE TO COLD WEATHER ALARM DID NO…

Look up ODI 10558092 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10558979 · 25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE SEAT BEING OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DMTL PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

Look up ODI 10558979 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10607392 · 7,285 mi

THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT FAILED AT 7,285 AND WAS REPLACED, THEN WAS FAILING AGAIN AT 31,592 AND BMW DID NOT REPAIR/REPLACE WHEN SERVICED BUT DID CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. KNOW THE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS IN TOTAL FAILURE AT 59,000. BMW WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF A RECALL FOR MOST VEHICLE OF THIS AGE BUT FOR SOME REASON NOT THE X3. *TR

Look up ODI 10607392 at NHTSA ↗

Engine58,800–103,600 mi100,000 mi7
ODI 10508062 · 58,600 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL STREET, FELT AN UNUSUAL "BUMP", CONTINUED DRIVING HOME WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEM. STARTED CAR NEXT MORNING AND FELT AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION AND NOISE WHICH DISAPPEARED WHEN DRIVING. VIBRATION AT IDLE CONTINUED, TWO DAYS LATER, AFTER DRIVING ON FREEWAY, I FOUND A BROKEN BOLT UNDER THE CAR IN GARAGE, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WAS TOLD THAT SEVERAL MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND WAS LUCKY NO SERIOUS DAMAGE OCCURRED. QUICK INTERNET SEARCH INDICATED SHEARED MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS …

Look up ODI 10508062 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10534197 · 59,000 mi

I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY AND SHUT OFF. THE CAR WAS ALSO HESITATING ON ACCELERATION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS A NEEDED THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER, ONCE UNDER THE CAR, THE TECHNICIAN NOTED 3 OF 4 ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS WERE "BROKEN" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID IT WAS CONSIDERED "WEAR AND TEAR" AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH ONLY ONE BOLT WAS NOW HOLDING THE ENGINE FROM FALLING OUT. THIS REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $400. UPON INVESTIGAT…

Look up ODI 10534197 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10551921 · 30,000 mi

I NOTICED WATER ON THE GARAGE FLOOR ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND THAT THE COOLANT WAS LOW. I TOOK IT TO BMW DEALER EXPECTING A RADIATOR LEAK. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL 4 ALUMINUM SUPPORT BOLTS HAD BEEN SHEARED AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS RESTING ON THE WATER PUMP CAUSING THE LEAK. THE SOLUTION, WHILE COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, IS STILL COSTING ME $50 DEDUCTIBLE AND ANOTHER $200 OR SO TO FLUSH AND REPLACE THE COOLANT (WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE WATER PUMP DAMAGE). IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE WARRANTY AND WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR THE LABOR, BOLTS, SUPPORT BRACKETS AN…

Look up ODI 10551921 at NHTSA ↗

SeatsToo few reports for a range15,000 mi4 (sparse)
ODI 10558092 · 12,000 mi

PASSENGER SEAT ALARM WOULD GO OFF CONSTANTLY WITHOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THE SEAT. BMW REPLACED SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE FIXED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING SUMMER 2012 WHEN ALARM ON SEAT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN ON A REGULAR BASIS. BMW REFUSED TO REPLACE UNTIL COMPLAINT FILED AND I STATED IT WAS A DRIVING HAZARD DUE TO ATTEMPTING TO FUMBLE WITH BELT WHILE DRIVING TO STOP ALARM BY SECURING BELT. BMW OFFERED TO REPLACE ALARM SENSOR I HAD TO PAY $300.00 FOR LABOR. THIS WAS LATE SEPT 2012. SHORTLY AFTER DUE TO COLD WEATHER ALARM DID NO…

Look up ODI 10558092 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10559500 · 18,000 mi

PASSENGER SEAT ALARM WOULD ACTIVATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON A DAILY USE. UNDER WARRANTY SEAT PAD WAS REPLACED. REPORTED SAME SEAT MALFUNCTION ONE MONTH AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT AND BMW AGREED TO PAY FOR SEAT PAD AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR LABOR OF $300.00. AT THIS TIME SEAT NO LONGER SOUNDING ALARM. SEAT ALARM WOULD MALFUNCTION AGAIN THE ENTIRE HOT WEATHER SEASON OF 2013. AFTER CONTACTING BMW IN DEC OF 2013 I WAS TOLD NO COVERAGE. AFTER RESEARCHING INTERNET I DISCOVERED THIS TO BE A REGULAR COMPLAINT SINCE 2003 WHEN 1ST X3 WAS MANUFACTU…

Look up ODI 10559500 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10607392 · 7,285 mi

THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT FAILED AT 7,285 AND WAS REPLACED, THEN WAS FAILING AGAIN AT 31,592 AND BMW DID NOT REPAIR/REPLACE WHEN SERVICED BUT DID CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. KNOW THE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS IN TOTAL FAILURE AT 59,000. BMW WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF A RECALL FOR MOST VEHICLE OF THIS AGE BUT FOR SOME REASON NOT THE X3. *TR

Look up ODI 10607392 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion SystemToo few reports for a range61,677 mi4 (sparse)
ODI 10558979 · 25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE SEAT BEING OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DMTL PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

Look up ODI 10558979 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10663609 · 31,300 mi

FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR JERKING AND LURCHING WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE LOWER RPM RANGES. OF LATE THIS HAS BECOME SO BAD I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF MOSTLY BETWEEN 1,800 AND 2,400 RPM WITH THE MOST SEVERE ISSUES IN THE 2,200 TO 2,400 RPM RANGE. WHEN GOING FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN IT GETS JUST ABOVE 2,000 RPM IT BEGINS TO JERK AND LURCH WITH THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATING WILDLY. THE 4X4 LIGHT THEN COMES ON AND THE CAR COMPLE…

Look up ODI 10663609 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10669416 · 92,054 mi

ENGINE TURNED OFF ON INTERSTATE 40 NEAR GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA. FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER. TRAVELING CLOSE TO 60MPH. STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. THIS IS THIRD OCCURRENCE IN PAST TWO MONTHS. NEVER A PROBLEM PRIOR; ALMOST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. PLEASE ADVISE ON IF THIS IS MORE COMMON THAN THE 40-60 CASES I'VE READ ABOUT ONLINE. WHAT SEEMS TO BE ISSUE? *JS

Look up ODI 10669416 at NHTSA ↗

Unknown Or OtherToo few reports for a range100,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10934311 · 100,000 mi

MY CAR WAS ON RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. I WAS NOTIFIED IN MARCH 2016. I WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. WHEN I DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM STILL BY EARLY AUGUST I ASKED FOR A LOANER CAR AS I NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT WORRY ABOUT THE AIRBAG. BMW INSTRUCTED ME TO PARK MY CAR AND "NOT DRIVE IT" WHICH I DID. FINALLY ON 11/28/16 THEY SAID THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. THE RESULT FROM IT SITTING FOR SO LONG HAS RUSTED MY PERFECTLY MAINTAINED BRAKES AND ROTORS TO BE NOT S…

Look up ODI 10934311 at NHTSA ↗

Power TrainToo few reports for a range68,995 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10663609 · 31,300 mi

FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR JERKING AND LURCHING WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE LOWER RPM RANGES. OF LATE THIS HAS BECOME SO BAD I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF MOSTLY BETWEEN 1,800 AND 2,400 RPM WITH THE MOST SEVERE ISSUES IN THE 2,200 TO 2,400 RPM RANGE. WHEN GOING FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN IT GETS JUST ABOVE 2,000 RPM IT BEGINS TO JERK AND LURCH WITH THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATING WILDLY. THE 4X4 LIGHT THEN COMES ON AND THE CAR COMPLE…

Look up ODI 10663609 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11084794 · 68,995 mi

I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO BLOOMFIELD NJ DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN 2013, 2014, 2015 DUE TO VEHICLES INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS SWIFTLY, RMP GOING TO 34,000 AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING GEARS. I DRIVE ABOUT 6,000MILES PER YEAR SOMETIMES LESS. ALL DEALER WOULD SAY "VEHICLE PERFORMS AS DESIGNED"....OR "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". AROUND JUNE 20, 2016 WHEN IN THE DRIVEWAY I PUT GEAR IN REVERSE BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I CALLED BMW DEALER DESCRIBING THE INABILITY OF MY CAR MOVING IN REVERSE DEALER REPRESENTATIVE STATED ITS TRAN…

Look up ODI 11084794 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11084806 · 83,000 mi

LAST WEEK DASH 4X4 LIGHT COMES ON A,UDIBLE RAPID CLICKING SOUND COMES FROM REAR JUST AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF...I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO WEST PATERSON MOTORS IN WOODLAND PARK, NJ FOR DIAGNOSTICS. MECHANIC STATES COMPUTER CODES INDICATE IT'S TRANSFER CASE FAILURE, AND TO REPLACE IT COSTS OVER $ 2,600.00 ! HOW DOES THE VEHICLE SUCH AS BMW GETS AWAY WITH SUCH POOR QUALITY, PARTS THAT FAIL SO SOON, SO EXPENSIVE? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? PLEASE RECALL TRANSFER CASE PLEASE, THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 85,000 MILES ON ODOMETER YET ...

Look up ODI 11084806 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Automatic TransmissionToo few reports for a range15,000 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10306300 · 1,000 mi

MY BMW X3 2008 WAS 'BOUGHT BACK' BY BMW AFTER THREE MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP IN DEC 2008 DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AT RANDOM TIMES. IT HAPPENED ONCE AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM AN EZPASS BOOTH - THE CAR JUST FROZE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS WAS SO SERIOUS THAT BMW RECOGNIZED IT AS A PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT FIX IT DESPITE REPLACING MAJOR TRANSMISSION PARTS. THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS NOT A GENERAL PROBLEM IN X3'S SO I ALLOWED THEM TO REPLACE THE 200…

Look up ODI 10306300 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10314764 · 15,000 mi

OWN A 2008 BMW X3 3.0 SI AWD. WE HAD AN ENGINE CRANKING ISSUE AND TOOK TO VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE TSB SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : SIB-12-17-07/NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10028464 PERFORMED. SINCE THIS WAS PERFORMED, THERE IS VERY POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE IN THE NORMAL TRANSMISSION MODE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL STALL TO ENGAGE WITH VERY ERRATIC AND HARD UP AND DOWN SHIFTS. THE CONCERN IS WITH THE DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, WHEN YOU GIVE IT THROTTLE, IT IS DELAYED TO RESPOND, PRESENTING A TRUE SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE HAS …

Look up ODI 10314764 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10347033 · 36,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE IS A BMW X3 3.0SI. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN FIRST GEAR, THERE IS A SEVERE HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE TRANSMISSION "THINKS" ABOUT WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN. THE VEHICLE HESITATES, STALLS SLIGHTLY, AND CREEPS ALONG SLOWLY BEFORE SECOND GEAR CATCHES. THE RPMS ARE ERRATIC WHEN ACCELERATING. VERY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE HESITATION IS THE MAIN ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT OF AN INTERSECTION ACROSS TRAFFIC. IT CAN BECOME A VERY SCARY SITUATION WHEN YOU WANT TO ACCE…

Look up ODI 10347033 at NHTSA ↗

SuspensionToo few reports for a range58,600 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10508062 · 58,600 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL STREET, FELT AN UNUSUAL "BUMP", CONTINUED DRIVING HOME WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEM. STARTED CAR NEXT MORNING AND FELT AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION AND NOISE WHICH DISAPPEARED WHEN DRIVING. VIBRATION AT IDLE CONTINUED, TWO DAYS LATER, AFTER DRIVING ON FREEWAY, I FOUND A BROKEN BOLT UNDER THE CAR IN GARAGE, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WAS TOLD THAT SEVERAL MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND WAS LUCKY NO SERIOUS DAMAGE OCCURRED. QUICK INTERNET SEARCH INDICATED SHEARED MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS …

Look up ODI 10508062 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10610665 · 95,000 mi

I WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT BMW REPAIR SHOP THAT THE REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. A SUBSEQUENT VISIT TO A BMW DEALER CONFIRMED THIS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY BOTH THE INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE DEALER THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 3 SERIES BMWS. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ITEM THAT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THEIR CPO WARRANTY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY. I WOULD THINK THAT BROKEN SPRINGS WOULD AFFECT HANDLING AND THEREFORE CONSTITUTE A SAFETY HAZARD. BOTH THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT SHOP STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT I HAVE THEM R…

Look up ODI 10610665 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10871664 · 57,000 mi

MY BMW X3 2008 57,000 MILES. ENGINE VIBRATION AT IDLE SPEED, FIND OUT ALL 4 BOLT ENGINE SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKEN.

Look up ODI 10871664 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2011: 1 complaints · 2012: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2011001
2012000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
20111300
2012600

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentAir BagsEngineSeatsFuel/Propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherPower TrainPower Train:Automatic TransmissionSuspension
Air Bags—0
2
ODI 10558092 · 12,000 mi

PASSENGER SEAT ALARM WOULD GO OFF CONSTANTLY WITHOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THE SEAT. BMW REPLACED SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE FIXED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING SUMMER 2012 WHEN ALARM ON SEAT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN ON A REGULAR BASIS. BMW REFUSED TO REPLACE UNTIL COMPLAINT FILED AND I STATED IT WAS A DRIVING HAZARD DUE TO ATTEMPTING TO FUMBLE WITH BELT WHILE DRIVING TO STOP ALARM BY SECURING BELT. BMW OFFERED TO REPLACE ALARM SENSOR I HAD TO PAY $300.00 FOR LABOR. THIS WAS LATE SEPT 2012. SHORTLY AFTER DUE TO COLD WEATHER ALARM DID NO…

Look up ODI 10558092 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10607392 · 7,285 mi

THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT FAILED AT 7,285 AND WAS REPLACED, THEN WAS FAILING AGAIN AT 31,592 AND BMW DID NOT REPAIR/REPLACE WHEN SERVICED BUT DID CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. KNOW THE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS IN TOTAL FAILURE AT 59,000. BMW WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF A RECALL FOR MOST VEHICLE OF THIS AGE BUT FOR SOME REASON NOT THE X3. *TR

Look up ODI 10607392 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10558979 · 25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE SEAT BEING OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DMTL PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

Look up ODI 10558979 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 10934311 · 100,000 mi

MY CAR WAS ON RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. I WAS NOTIFIED IN MARCH 2016. I WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. WHEN I DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM STILL BY EARLY AUGUST I ASKED FOR A LOANER CAR AS I NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT WORRY ABOUT THE AIRBAG. BMW INSTRUCTED ME TO PARK MY CAR AND "NOT DRIVE IT" WHICH I DID. FINALLY ON 11/28/16 THEY SAID THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. THE RESULT FROM IT SITTING FOR SO LONG HAS RUSTED MY PERFECTLY MAINTAINED BRAKES AND ROTORS TO BE NOT S…

Look up ODI 10934311 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11043612

TAKATA RECALL - I CALLED EAST BAY BMW AND BMW OF CONCORD DEALERSHIPS SINCE RECEIVING SAFETY RECALL IN JUNE 2017 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL SERVICE AND I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CALL BACK REGARDING THE PARTS ARRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT IS NOT NOVEMBER AND I STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED A SINGLE PHONE CALL.

Look up ODI 11043612 at NHTSA ↗

000
Engine0—
1
ODI 11082069

I HAVE 2 DANGEROUS RECALLS. ONE-NO ONE CAN SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND THE SECOND, MY ENGINE CAN BE ON FIRE DUE TO A PVC VALVE. BMW HAS NO REMEDIES AND IT HAS BEEN OVER 4 MONTHS, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. SOMEONE HAS TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON BMW TO GET THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Look up ODI 11082069 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10914918 · 100,000 mi

WHILE SLOWING DOWN MY CAR (BMW X3 YEAR 2008)ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I PULL OVER PUT IT IN PARK AND IT AND RE-START AUTO. THIS HAS HAPPEN A NUMBER OF TIMES. THE LAST TIME WAS TODAY 10/08/2016 WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT A YIELD SIGN. LUCKY FOR ME THERE HASN'T BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES ON A BUSY STREET, PULLING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A BACKUP.

Look up ODI 10914918 at NHTSA ↗

000
1
ODI 10508062 · 58,600 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL STREET, FELT AN UNUSUAL "BUMP", CONTINUED DRIVING HOME WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEM. STARTED CAR NEXT MORNING AND FELT AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION AND NOISE WHICH DISAPPEARED WHEN DRIVING. VIBRATION AT IDLE CONTINUED, TWO DAYS LATER, AFTER DRIVING ON FREEWAY, I FOUND A BROKEN BOLT UNDER THE CAR IN GARAGE, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WAS TOLD THAT SEVERAL MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND WAS LUCKY NO SERIOUS DAMAGE OCCURRED. QUICK INTERNET SEARCH INDICATED SHEARED MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS …

Look up ODI 10508062 at NHTSA ↗

Seats
2
ODI 10558092 · 12,000 mi

PASSENGER SEAT ALARM WOULD GO OFF CONSTANTLY WITHOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN THE SEAT. BMW REPLACED SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE FIXED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING SUMMER 2012 WHEN ALARM ON SEAT WOULD GO OFF AGAIN ON A REGULAR BASIS. BMW REFUSED TO REPLACE UNTIL COMPLAINT FILED AND I STATED IT WAS A DRIVING HAZARD DUE TO ATTEMPTING TO FUMBLE WITH BELT WHILE DRIVING TO STOP ALARM BY SECURING BELT. BMW OFFERED TO REPLACE ALARM SENSOR I HAD TO PAY $300.00 FOR LABOR. THIS WAS LATE SEPT 2012. SHORTLY AFTER DUE TO COLD WEATHER ALARM DID NO…

Look up ODI 10558092 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10607392 · 7,285 mi

THE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT FAILED AT 7,285 AND WAS REPLACED, THEN WAS FAILING AGAIN AT 31,592 AND BMW DID NOT REPAIR/REPLACE WHEN SERVICED BUT DID CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. KNOW THE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS IN TOTAL FAILURE AT 59,000. BMW WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF A RECALL FOR MOST VEHICLE OF THIS AGE BUT FOR SOME REASON NOT THE X3. *TR

Look up ODI 10607392 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 11082069

I HAVE 2 DANGEROUS RECALLS. ONE-NO ONE CAN SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND THE SECOND, MY ENGINE CAN BE ON FIRE DUE TO A PVC VALVE. BMW HAS NO REMEDIES AND IT HAS BEEN OVER 4 MONTHS, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. SOMEONE HAS TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON BMW TO GET THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Look up ODI 11082069 at NHTSA ↗

—00000
Fuel/Propulsion System
1
ODI 10558979 · 25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE SEAT BEING OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DMTL PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

Look up ODI 10558979 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10914918 · 100,000 mi

WHILE SLOWING DOWN MY CAR (BMW X3 YEAR 2008)ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. I PULL OVER PUT IT IN PARK AND IT AND RE-START AUTO. THIS HAS HAPPEN A NUMBER OF TIMES. THE LAST TIME WAS TODAY 10/08/2016 WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT A YIELD SIGN. LUCKY FOR ME THERE HASN'T BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES ON A BUSY STREET, PULLING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A BACKUP.

Look up ODI 10914918 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
1
ODI 10663609 · 31,300 mi

FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR JERKING AND LURCHING WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE LOWER RPM RANGES. OF LATE THIS HAS BECOME SO BAD I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF MOSTLY BETWEEN 1,800 AND 2,400 RPM WITH THE MOST SEVERE ISSUES IN THE 2,200 TO 2,400 RPM RANGE. WHEN GOING FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN IT GETS JUST ABOVE 2,000 RPM IT BEGINS TO JERK AND LURCH WITH THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATING WILDLY. THE 4X4 LIGHT THEN COMES ON AND THE CAR COMPLE…

Look up ODI 10663609 at NHTSA ↗

00
Unknown Or Other
2
ODI 10934311 · 100,000 mi

MY CAR WAS ON RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. I WAS NOTIFIED IN MARCH 2016. I WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. WHEN I DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM STILL BY EARLY AUGUST I ASKED FOR A LOANER CAR AS I NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT WORRY ABOUT THE AIRBAG. BMW INSTRUCTED ME TO PARK MY CAR AND "NOT DRIVE IT" WHICH I DID. FINALLY ON 11/28/16 THEY SAID THEY HAD AN AIRBAG. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. THE RESULT FROM IT SITTING FOR SO LONG HAS RUSTED MY PERFECTLY MAINTAINED BRAKES AND ROTORS TO BE NOT S…

Look up ODI 10934311 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11043612

TAKATA RECALL - I CALLED EAST BAY BMW AND BMW OF CONCORD DEALERSHIPS SINCE RECEIVING SAFETY RECALL IN JUNE 2017 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL SERVICE AND I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CALL BACK REGARDING THE PARTS ARRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT IS NOT NOVEMBER AND I STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED A SINGLE PHONE CALL.

Look up ODI 11043612 at NHTSA ↗

000—000
Power Train000
1
ODI 10663609 · 31,300 mi

FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR JERKING AND LURCHING WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE LOWER RPM RANGES. OF LATE THIS HAS BECOME SO BAD I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF MOSTLY BETWEEN 1,800 AND 2,400 RPM WITH THE MOST SEVERE ISSUES IN THE 2,200 TO 2,400 RPM RANGE. WHEN GOING FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN IT GETS JUST ABOVE 2,000 RPM IT BEGINS TO JERK AND LURCH WITH THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATING WILDLY. THE 4X4 LIGHT THEN COMES ON AND THE CAR COMPLE…

Look up ODI 10663609 at NHTSA ↗

0—00
Power Train:Automatic Transmission000000—0
Suspension0
1
ODI 10508062 · 58,600 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL STREET, FELT AN UNUSUAL "BUMP", CONTINUED DRIVING HOME WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEM. STARTED CAR NEXT MORNING AND FELT AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION AND NOISE WHICH DISAPPEARED WHEN DRIVING. VIBRATION AT IDLE CONTINUED, TWO DAYS LATER, AFTER DRIVING ON FREEWAY, I FOUND A BROKEN BOLT UNDER THE CAR IN GARAGE, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WAS TOLD THAT SEVERAL MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND WAS LUCKY NO SERIOUS DAMAGE OCCURRED. QUICK INTERNET SEARCH INDICATED SHEARED MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS …

Look up ODI 10508062 at NHTSA ↗

00000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

5 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 8.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 59,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10314764 · 15,000 mi

OWN A 2008 BMW X3 3.0 SI AWD. WE HAD AN ENGINE CRANKING ISSUE AND TOOK TO VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE TSB SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : SIB-12-17-07/NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10028464 PERFORMED. SINCE THIS WAS PERFORMED, THERE IS VERY POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE IN THE NORMAL TRANSMISSION MODE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL STALL TO ENGAGE WITH VERY ERRATIC AND HARD UP AND DOWN SHIFTS. THE CONCERN IS WITH THE DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, WHEN YOU GIVE IT THROTTLE, IT IS DELAYED TO RESPOND, PRESENTING A TRUE SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE HAS …

Look up ODI 10314764 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10347033 · 36,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE IS A BMW X3 3.0SI. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN FIRST GEAR, THERE IS A SEVERE HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE TRANSMISSION "THINKS" ABOUT WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN. THE VEHICLE HESITATES, STALLS SLIGHTLY, AND CREEPS ALONG SLOWLY BEFORE SECOND GEAR CATCHES. THE RPMS ARE ERRATIC WHEN ACCELERATING. VERY UNPREDICTABLE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE HESITATION IS THE MAIN ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT OF AN INTERSECTION ACROSS TRAFFIC. IT CAN BECOME A VERY SCARY SITUATION WHEN YOU WANT TO ACCE…

Look up ODI 10347033 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10534197 · 59,000 mi

I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY AND SHUT OFF. THE CAR WAS ALSO HESITATING ON ACCELERATION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS A NEEDED THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER, ONCE UNDER THE CAR, THE TECHNICIAN NOTED 3 OF 4 ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS WERE "BROKEN" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID IT WAS CONSIDERED "WEAR AND TEAR" AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH ONLY ONE BOLT WAS NOW HOLDING THE ENGINE FROM FALLING OUT. THIS REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $400. UPON INVESTIGAT…

Look up ODI 10534197 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

5 mentions · 8.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 59,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10534197 · 59,000 mi

I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY AND SHUT OFF. THE CAR WAS ALSO HESITATING ON ACCELERATION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS A NEEDED THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT. HOWEVER, ONCE UNDER THE CAR, THE TECHNICIAN NOTED 3 OF 4 ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS WERE "BROKEN" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID IT WAS CONSIDERED "WEAR AND TEAR" AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH ONLY ONE BOLT WAS NOW HOLDING THE ENGINE FROM FALLING OUT. THIS REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $400. UPON INVESTIGAT…

Look up ODI 10534197 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10558979 · 25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE SEAT BEING OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DMTL PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

Look up ODI 10558979 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10722343 · 70,000 mi

THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM WOULD INDICATE THAT THE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT WORN BY DRIVER AND / OR PASSENGER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE VEHICLE IS 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR MORE.

Look up ODI 10722343 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 1.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 30,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10558094 · 30,000 mi

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED AT DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS THE DMTL PUMP THAT SENSES AND GAS LEAKS. I WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE IT SINCE I LIVED IN PA IN AN AREA THAT DIDN'T REQUIRE IT TO WORK UNDER OUR STATE INSPECTIONS. THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BE ON AND I WOULD NOT KNOW IF SOMETHING ELSE WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. LATER I WAS TALKING TO SERVICE MANAGER AT LEXUS WHO WAS A FORMER BMW SERVICE MANAGER WHO STATED IT WAS COVERED UNDER PA EMISSION …

Look up ODI 10558094 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 1.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 31,300 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10663609 · 31,300 mi

FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR JERKING AND LURCHING WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE LOWER RPM RANGES. OF LATE THIS HAS BECOME SO BAD I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF MOSTLY BETWEEN 1,800 AND 2,400 RPM WITH THE MOST SEVERE ISSUES IN THE 2,200 TO 2,400 RPM RANGE. WHEN GOING FROM A STOP THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN IT GETS JUST ABOVE 2,000 RPM IT BEGINS TO JERK AND LURCH WITH THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATING WILDLY. THE 4X4 LIGHT THEN COMES ON AND THE CAR COMPLE…

Look up ODI 10663609 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 1.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10993087

SINCE PURCHASE IN 2013 FROM A DEALER, WITH ONLY 43000 MILE CHANGED BATTERY TWICE AT BMW PETER PAN, REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, WINDOW REGULATOR, REPLACED STARTER , PLUS OTHER SERVICES AND WINDOW WIPERS ARE FAULTY, T-CASE ACTUATOR REPLACED, SWAY BAR REPLACED, TOTALING $9531.38. I TRIED TO COMPLAIN TO BMW CORPORATION FOR SELLING A LEMON CAR . PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS CAR. RIGHT NOW IT ONLY HAS 57K MILES ON IT AND I AM BEING TOLD IT NEEDS MORE WORK.

Look up ODI 10993087 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b