10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,006 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 BMW X3:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #6

Feb 112022

X3

  • miles
POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER: This recall involves an engine component known as the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve heater. The PCV valve heater may not have been produced to specifications which could lead to a short circuit. Safety Risk: Should a short circuit occur, the PCV valve heater could overheat, lead to smoldering, and possibly start melting. In extremely rare cases, this could increase the risk of a fire. The recall has been going on for six months and still as of today there is no remedy. I refuse to drive a vehicle that I'm currently still paying for or put myself and family at risk at the expense of the manufacture causing this issue and not having a solution for such a long time period.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #5

May 102021

X3

  • miles
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.

- Greeley, CO, USA

problem #4

Jan 012017

X3 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V605000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Beverly hills BMW (5070 wilshire blvd, los angeles, California 90036, (877) 794-4678) was made aware of the recall and stated that the part was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and provided the contact with customer number: 622363. In addition, while the vehicle was stationary, the air bag, 4X4, and brake indicators illuminated simultaneously upon starting the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 12/20/18

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #3

May 312018

X3

  • 97,535 miles
On May 31 2018 I took my X3 in to roseville BMW for air bag recall #B651617 passenger side seat mat they told mw part on order and do not have any person seating in that seat ubtill recall is compleited. It is now Oct 4 2018 and no repair has been made. I just got 2 more recall notices from roseville BMW stating to call them about recall #B651617 paas seat mat. So I called service and they told me no parts have come in and do not know when the part will be shipped!!!!!, also on another note on this X3 I have also replaced window regulators all 4 and now both rear regulators broke again #5 and #6 that is not cheap why"????"

- Placerville, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 302017

X3

  • 39,000 miles
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.

- North San Juan, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 292015

X3

  • 33,500 miles
Many dashboard warning lights came on simultaneously while driving. Took to BMW of rockville md. They diagnosed failure of "faulty steering angle sensor and coil spring." They confirmed this was a safety issue, and that it was nothing we did that caused it-- it was a faulty part. After only 33,000 miles, to have a critical part fail, seems serious to me. They charged us $2080.76 to fix, because it was outside warranty due to age of car. To my mind if a part fault or failure occurs, that is a safety issue, a recall issue, not a warranty issue and the carmaker should fix and report it.

- Potomac, MD, USA