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.
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.
Safety recall
Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. 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.
Steering recall
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES 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
60
Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
I had my car towed into bmw dealership for a vanos recall repair,it went in for the repair the repair was "done" but before picking it up they told me they were unable to qc/start my engine to verify the repair claiming that because my camshaft position sensor was removed (it was removed to ultimately figure out it was the vanos system that failed)and that my car had no battery at the time of the repair they could and would not start my engine to verify the repair and that they turned it over by hand only,upon them releasing the car back to me I brought a battery and started my car and left the dealership within ten miles my engine failed and locked up due to oil starvation,I had it towed back immediately and explained what happened,and they refuse to take any responsibility for my car failing on the road while driving cause my engine to smoke and push the smoke into the cab mid traffic,this happened In July of 2025 and I am still going back and forth trying to get them to take responsibility and replace my engine,they did not follow proper procedures to ensure my vehicle was safe for pickup violating safety standards
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11719278 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
22
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
The fuse box in trunk caught fire There are tons of these incidences if you search the web Bmw has done nothing I willhope your “ safety “ agency will. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11668102 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
1
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH DURING HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY DECELERATED TO 35 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO SLAMMING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONLY DURING RAIN WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10794363 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
19
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
Electronic power control issue caused the vehicle to loose power steering. After starting and driving the vehicle an alert message showed up saying chassis malfunction and power steering issues. Vehicle was stopped and re-started but the issue didn't go away. BMW confirmed there was a malfunction with the EPS similar to the NHTSA bulletin 11V341000. Vehicle was manufactured during the period the recall covers and experience the same issues. BMW advised to contact NHTSA to have the VIN added to the recall so they can complete the repair, as otherwise it will not be covered.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11754567 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
3
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying.
Read full complaint
The passenger side weight sensor that indicates whether it is safe for the airbag to fire is failing, giving a repeat error. It has put individuals sitting in the passenger side in potential harm's way if we were to get in an accident. It is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been reproduced by the dealer. They want an exorbitant amount of money to fix it. Prior models had the same defect, and were subject of recalls/repairs/warranty extensions. Not so for this model-year. The dashboard warning lamp indicating that the passenger airbag sensor is defective has lit intermittently.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11447887 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
5
Most reports here involve other issues.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11395637 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
2
Most reports here involve other issues.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11618016 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 112 complaints on file, more than the 2010 (32) and more than the 2012 (42). 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.