Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Engine recall
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
17
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact stated that after the dealer had performed the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); the vehicle experienced a significant rough idle, and abnormal whistling and squealing sounds were coming from the engine while the contact was driving from the dealer parking lot. The contact drove back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the new PCV valve cover gasket had caused a vacuum leak. The dealer related the failure to the recall remedy. The dealer charged a fee for the repair. The contact declined to pay the fee because the recall repair was the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had not experienced a failure before the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 119,940.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11634437 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
1
Most reports here involve loss of braking.
Read full complaint
No warnings. The car started smoking while driving down the interstate. Lost electrical and brakes at around 30 mph while trying to stop. My daughter had to roll out of the car while moving because my brakes wouldn’t stop. Finally slammed in park. Car was totaled.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11455946 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
2
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. WE WERE UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP/MOTOR AND RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,600. UPON INSPECTION NHTSA HAS 3 INCIDENTS OF THIS OCCURRING IN THE SAME VEHICLE. A BEIEF ONLINE SEARCH INDICATED MANY BMW X3 OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11181959 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
8
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2010 BMW X3 THAT NEEDS A RIGHT FRONT SEAT MAT TO CORRECT AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH IS ON. DEALER TOLD ME PART IS ON ORDER AND NO PERSON SHOULD SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL REPAIRED. WILL IT IS ALL MOST 1 YEAR WAITING ON SEAT MAT.(I HAD A RECALL FOR TAKATA AIR BAG ON STEERING WHEEL REPLACED. WITCH WAS DONE FASTER THAN THIS SEAT MAT.) I NEED TO KNOW HOW LONG BMW HAS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM???
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11184488 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
1
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
REAR DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED TWICE LEAVING WINDOW STUCK OPEN AND INOPERABLE. WINDOW WAS BEING OPENED TO VENT INTERIOR AFTER BEING PARKED AND VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. FIRST TIME REPAIR WAS MADE UNDER CPO WARRANTY WITH ~39K MILES. SECOND REPAIR MADE FOR $750 (CPO WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED). SECOND REGULATOR FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 10K MILES, AND ONLY 22 MONTHS, FROM FIRST FAILURE. BMW SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAYS "IT HAPPENS." BMW DOES NOT HONOR THEIR 2-YR PARTS WARRANTY FOR PARTS REPLACED WHEN REPAIR IS DONE UNDER WARRANTY (AND THENCE EXPIRED). THE WINDOW REGULATOR(S) APPEAR TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN TO BREAK SO FREQUENTLY. THE ACTUAL FAILURE APPEARS TO BE WITH THE "WINDOW REGULATOR DRIVING DOG"(ABOUT A $10 PART IF PURCHASED ONLINE) AND A TINY PLASTIC PIECE BREAKS OFF.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11005482 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
3
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11388736 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 32 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (112). Of the 17 model years of the BMW X3 we cover, the 2013 has the most (226). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.