10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,000 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 #6

May 212024

X3

  • miles
My vehicle malfunctioned last week because of the fault harness. Vehicle had a slight fire and now is not drivable. BMW does not want to comply.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #5

Nov 182018

X3 6-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAGIC, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, WENT TO PULL OUT OF TRAGIC AND FELT MY [XXX] ON FIRE, THE HEAT SEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED SEAT COVER TO MY PANTS CAUSING MUCH DISCOMFORT AND RUINED JEANS. REPORTED IT TO BMW AND THEY OFFERED TO DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICITY TO THE SEAT. NOT SATISFIED, NOT IMPRESSED. VERY DANGEROUS. VEHICLE WAS ON HIGHWAY WHEN INCIDENT HAPPENED. WAS LUCKY TO GET OUT OF TRAGIC TO EXIT. WHILE DRIVING PUT MY HAND TO FEEL PROBLEM AND BURNED FINGER TIP. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Milford, MA, USA

problem #4

Feb 012016

X3

  • miles
Takata recall that has been open for 18 months and now the PCV valve that creates fires

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 072015

X3

  • miles
NHTSA investigations PE07045 and EA08001 determined micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the front occupancy sensor mat causing a broken circuit and deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light. When both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash. NHTSA recall campaign number 08V384000 was issued however only covers model years 2004-2006 of the BMW X3 sav. Request NHTSA conduct further investigations to expand the existing recall to cover all 2004-2009 model years of the first generation BMW X3 sav which many owners online can concur exhibit the same symptoms of this serious manufacturing defect that poses a severe safety risk.

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #2

May 162016

X3

  • 80,000 miles
The vehicle was parked and unmoved in my driveway for several days. It suddenly broke out in flames (originating in the engine compartment). The fire grew quite large and the car exploded (the police officer's word). Security cameras on the property show no one in the area to tamper with the car. This was spontaneous combustion. A google search of "2009 BMW X3 fire" shows many other similar incidents.

- Mamaroneck, NY, USA

problem #1

Jun 012010

X3

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owned a 2009 BMW X3. The contact stated that after parking his vehicle at 9 am he received a call at 2 pm stating that his vehicle was on fire. When he walked outside he saw flames coming from the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire and a report was filed. The police also responded and filed police report #2010-0000-122. The vehicle was towed to a BMW dealer who stated that they could not identify the cause of the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

- Hoffman Estates , IL, USA