10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,105 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #11

Jun 152010

X3 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW X3. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the air bag light illuminated and would not turn off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the sensor mat needed to be repaired. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not included in recall 08V384000 (air bags: Frontal). The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000 and the current mileage was approximately 99,000. Updated 01/06/11 updated 01/24/11

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 182010

X3

  • 82,200 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW X3. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact assumed that the failure was caused by faulty air bag sensors. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called both the dealership and the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in recall 08V384000 (air bags:frontal). The current mileage was approximately 82,400. The failure mileage was approximately 82,200.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #9

Jun 152010

X3

  • 76,000 miles
I am a military member stationed in ramstein germany from Jan 2001 - June 2005. In May 2005, I purchase a us-spec 2004 BMW X-3 from an authorized BMW dealer on base. I shipped my vehicle back to the states in July 2006. Recently, I noticed that my air bag warning lamp and passenger on-off lamp are illuminated--problem is identical to the recall summary 08V384000 in this website. However, when I called BMW, they said that my VIN is not included in the recall lists. Can you help me get my vehicle fixed under this recall program? my VIN # is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #8

Mar 012010

X3

  • 100,000 miles
www.aboutautomobile.com/investigation/2004/BMW/X3/airbag BMW has only recalled a partial list of vehicles for the ongoing issue with the passenger airbag not functioning. This needs to be expanded to the entire vehicle line. I have a 2004 BMW X3 and it is experiencing same issue documented in recall list and its not been issued a recall notice. It appears BMW has limited the amount of vehicles covered by the recall notice to save on dollars. This is serious, if an accident occurs the passenger air bag safety system will not function.

- Springville, UT, USA

problem #7

Sep 292009

X3

  • miles
Every once in a while the passenger air bag would not activate when someone of the appropriate weight was sitting in the passenger seat. So, when a passenger was sitting in the seat, the light showing passenger airbag not activated light would still be illuminated. This would happen on and off, not constant. Then one day it remained on constant and on the dash a red airbag warning light illuminated. Both of these lights have stayed illuminated since the problem began happening. I contacted BMW based on the recall that is listed, they state that even though the error that occurred and problem matches the recall, my VIN is not effected. Therefore, I would like a review to see if my VIN number should be included in this recall or if the recall should be extended to more vehicles that are effected. (NHTSA EA08001) I have contacted BMW and they refuse to repair the defect at no cost to me. I have contacted the main office and dealers. They continue to state that my VIN was not effected and I will need to pay to repair the defect.

- Draper, UT, USA

problem #6

Oct 012009

X3

  • 40,000 miles
I have a 2004 BMW X3. There is a recall on my year and model vehicle for faulty airbag sensors that cause the airbags not to function in a crash. My car is displaying the symptoms of the problem as described in the recall notice. BMW is not including my particular car in the recall. This defect is a safety hazard to my wife and I. it is my wish that BMW will expand the recall to include all vehicles that have this defective condition.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #5

Jun 112009

X3

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW X3. She states that she noticed the passenger side frontal air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel indicating that the air bag system is inoperative. As a consequence the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible. She contacted the dealer and the manufacturer and was advised that because her VIN number was excluded from the VIN range for recall #08V384000 (air bags:frontal) they would not assume responsibility for any repairs. The failure and current mileages were 57,000.

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #4

Aug 012008

X3

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW X3. Whenever a passenger is seated in the front passenger seat, the passenger side air bag light indicates that the air bag is deactivated. As a result, the passenger side air bag would not deploy in the event of a crash. Through research, the contact found NHTSA campaign id number 08V384000 (air bags:frontal). The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact believes that the vehicle is being excluded because it was imported into the United States. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 105,000.

- Biloxi, MS, USA

problem #3

Mar 292009

X3

  • 45,960 miles
The airbag warning light on the dashboard stays illuminated while driving. The front passenger airbag light goes on and off intermittently while driving and my husband is sitting in the passenger seat. Called local BMW dealership and 800 number- as after researching this issue it is a recall. They said it didn't pertain to my vehicle. The recall states for model years 2004 - 2006 BMW X3. I have a 2004 BMW X3 and am wondering how it doesn't pertain to my vehicle.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 012008

X3

  • 65,000 miles
Passenger airbag light goes on and off with seatbelt both on or off.

- Mississauga, 00, USA

problem #1

Nov 132005

X3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
Air bag warnings in 2004 BMW. Brought in for service twice and was ingorned. Then, had accident and complained again to BMW customer service. Result-they could care less. Sent at least three emails-no action, little response.

- Murrieta, CA, USA