Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

55 total

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

Worth reading
20

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 5fire 2
A recent report: 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…
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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

Worth reading
1

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 1
A recent report: 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…
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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

Minor
5

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 5
A recent report: 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…
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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

Worth reading
22

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 3sudden stalling 1
A recent report: 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…
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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

Minor
2

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: 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…
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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

Worth reading
5

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTION. THE SEAT OVER HEATED AND A HOLE WAS CREATED AS A RESULT OF BURN ON TOP OF THE COIL.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11388736 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 55 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2012 and 2025, roughly 5 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.