10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,254 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 #13

May 052021

X3

  • miles
I can smell a burning smell at times coming out from my blower and the heat and air condition is not functioning properly. Also my rear hatch lights on the interior are always on and when I hit bumps they flash off and on.

- Allegan, MI, USA

problem #12

Dec 112021

X3

  • miles
I turned on my heated seat and within about a minute and a half I smelled a burning smell. Pulled over as I started to feel a burn on my leg because the seat heater has burnt through the leather in my car. This is a known problem at BMW and they have not issued a recall for this.

- Englewood, CO, USA

problem #11

Apr 012010

X3

  • miles
Electrical and has been affected since the car was less than 5 years old, radio would suddenly get loud if volume was adjusted. After the electrical issues started about 2 years later my A/C started having issues thought it may be a leak but now after seeing the recall on electrical issues on some models this SUV X3 should have been on the list but it's not, and should have reported this a long time ago that this is a lemon. The back window also slides down another electrical issue. Car was driven for pleasure every few days but has more issues than older cars.

- Pinellas Park, FL, USA

problem #10

Nov 292017

X3

  • 125,000 miles
Internal headlight wiring is extremely flaking off its insulation, revealing bare wires throughout both headlights. Both sections of the light are affected, xenon and halogen. Discovered during routine bulb replacement. Merely touching the wires caused extra flaking. Seems to be a potential electrocution/fire hazard.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #9

Sep 062006

X3 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 08V384000 (air bags). Also, the dealer stated that the pillar accelerator sensor was defective. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 64,000. In addition, the contact stated that immediately after refueling, the "check gas cap" warning indicator light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer, who determined that the gas cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 64,000. Updated 6/8/15

- Haskell, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jan 052015

X3

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X3. While driving approximately 10 mph with the front driver side heated seat activated, smoke appeared from the seat. As a result, a hole was burned through the front driver seat and the contact's coat. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Macungie, PA, USA

problem #7

Apr 112014

X3

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X3. The contact stated the battery died and the door locks failed to function. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000. The VIN was not available.

- Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #6

May 172012

X3

  • 67,213 miles
Repeated flooding in driver-side back and passenger front. It has been the vapor seal along the door, top part of door near window, seal along the windshield and finally from the sunroof leading to drain leading to interior of car. I have been fortunate that no electrical issues have incurred, but due to the high risk of that happening, wanted to report the situation. This has been ongoing for over a year (fixed various issues with flooding every few months). BMW acknowledges that the X3 has water issues but that it is no fault of their's. I understand a vapor seal needing to be replaced once in a while- but this is far and beyond happening way too frequently. Just don't want any of the larger possibilities to come into play.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #5

Jun 132013

X3

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 BMW X3. The stated that the air conditioning unit failed to blow cool air. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was advised the contact that the evaporate cord needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Detroit , MI, USA

problem #4

Jan 112011

X3 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Heating element for front driver seat shorted, causing it to burn through the leather. Fortunately, I caught it in time before fire or injury. Searching the internet reveals that this has occurred for many others as well, sometimes with more damaging results.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #3

Jan 292012

X3 6-cyl

  • 50,850 miles
Driver seat caught fire when seat warmer was engaged. Leather seat has visible burn mark. Fire burned driver. When seat warmer was disengaged, smoke began billowing from seat, filling the vehicle with smoke. Seat warmer was engaged upon vehicle start in owner's garage. Vehicle was moving approximately 10 mps (1-2 mins later) when fire began.

- Lakeway, TX, USA

problem #2

Dec 302010

X3 6-cyl

  • 48,130 miles
06 BMW X3 3.0 driver seat heater gets extrememy hot in one spot. Hot enough to cause a burn if not turned off quickly.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #1

Nov 032010

X3 6-cyl

  • 46,110 miles
We were driving in cold weather and activated the seat warmers on the driver and front passenger sides when we detected an odor of something burning and smoking. We stopped and got out of our SUV and discovered a burnt hole/spot on the driver's seat, lower left seat back bolster. On taking it our BMW dealer for repair, we were told that the seat warmer was defective and that is what caused the burnt hole/spot on the seat back, I.e., "failed component 3". further we were told that our SUV was two months out of warranty, and that the cost of repair would cost $2,900. We have searched the internet and discovered similar malfunctions on bmws equipped with seat warmers. Further, we had to replace the seat warmer system on the front passenger side approximately two years ago because it too became inoperative. This is a clear case for BMW to absorb the cost of repair, since this seat warmer malfunction has a history of occurrences. Thank you for your attention regarding this case.wv

- Charlottesville, VA, USA