Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 2009 BMW X3 SAV with NHTSA between 2010 and 2018.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 16
Against the median year of the BMW X3 SAV. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 94
18.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 49
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
114.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
228.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
457.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2010peak 3May 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 BMW X3 SAV
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 80,000 milesMamaroneck, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10865284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMamaroneck, NYFire
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10865284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMamaroneck, NYFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10865284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesHoffman Estates, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*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.
NHTSA complaint #10344667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SAN Bruno, CA
SEATS
RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER 2017 AND BMW HAS YET TO HAVE A REMEDY/SOLVE FOR THE ISSUE. WE ARE OVER 6 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL AND THIS IS FAR PAST A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO ADDRESS A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11096943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Bruno, CA
AIR BAGS
RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER 2017 AND BMW HAS YET TO HAVE A REMEDY/SOLVE FOR THE ISSUE. WE ARE OVER 6 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL AND THIS IS FAR PAST A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO ADDRESS A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11096943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hollywood, SC
AIR BAGS
BMW SENT LETTER 3/2016 ABOUT RECALL AND CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR MY CARS RECALL.I HAVE CHECK SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LAST YEAR LOCALLY AND THEN ANOTHER NEARBY DEALERSHIP CLOSE BY IN ANOTHER TOWN. THEY SAID THEY WOULD PLACE ME ON A CALL LIST AND THAT HAS BEEN 7 MTHS AGO. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE WAITING FOR ME TO GET RID OF THE CAR, BUT IN THE MEANTIME I AM AT RISK IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHAT DO I DO? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ADVICE
NHTSA complaint #10986238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bothell, WA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10947615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville, MD
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10927446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville, MD
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10927446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10927446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethlehem, PA
AIR BAGS
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF A LETTER TO PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LUDWIG WEILLISCH REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SAFETY PARTS NEEDED FOR THE AIRBAGS ON HIS VEHICLES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS FAMILY OWN THREE BMW'S THAT ARE ALL AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10915833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cibolo, TX
AIR BAGS
2009 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 2-3 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10902898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Princton, NJ
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL BMW NOT OFFERING LOANER PROGRAM AND ALSO NO DATE AVAILABLE FOR DRIVERS FRONT AIRBAG PARTS EVEN THOUGH ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE WAS MARCH 2016.
NHTSA complaint #10903322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VA
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. HOWEVER, FIVE MONTHS LATER BMW HAS NOT REPLACED THE AIR BAG. THIS IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS. WHAT IS NHTSA DOING ABOUT THIS?
NHTSA complaint #10881795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMamaroneck, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10865284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMamaroneck, NYFire
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10865284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMamaroneck, NYFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10865284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Churchville, NY
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW, CALL THE LOCAL DEALER, HAVE BEEN PLACED ON A WAITING LIST BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. I AM CONCERN THAT IF THE AIR BAG INFLATES THERE IS A RISK OF DEATH BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPEN WITH OTHER VEHICLES EFFECT BY THIS RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10855695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olney, MD
SEATS
THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V-384 FOR DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY AND PROTECT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH IS EXTENDED FOR 10 YEARS ONLY COVERS MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 OF THE BMW X3 DESPITE THE FIRST GENERATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING PRODUCED FROM 2003 - 2010 AND VEHICLES FROM ALL OTHER YEARS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. FOR INSTANCE MY OWN VEHICLE IS MODEL YEAR 2009 AND EXHIBITS ALL SYMPTOMS OF THE AIR BAG ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTICE HOWEVER I HAVE NO MATTER OF RECOURSE AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PETITION THE DEALERSHIP OR BMW NORTH AMERICA LLC TO REMEDY THE ISSUE AS THEY HAVE REFUSED CITING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN MAKES THEM LIABLE ONLY FOR THOSE SPECIFIC MODEL YEARS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS NOT RECEIVING AS MUCH ATTENTION DUE TO THE MASSIVE TAKATA RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO PETITION THE NHTSA TO HAVE BMW EXPAND THE AIRBAG RECALL CAMPAIGN TO COVER ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS OF THE SAME PRODUCTION GENERATION OF THE X3.
NHTSA complaint #10822097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olney, MD
AIR BAGS
THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V-384 FOR DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY AND PROTECT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH IS EXTENDED FOR 10 YEARS ONLY COVERS MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 OF THE BMW X3 DESPITE THE FIRST GENERATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING PRODUCED FROM 2003 - 2010 AND VEHICLES FROM ALL OTHER YEARS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. FOR INSTANCE MY OWN VEHICLE IS MODEL YEAR 2009 AND EXHIBITS ALL SYMPTOMS OF THE AIR BAG ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTICE HOWEVER I HAVE NO MATTER OF RECOURSE AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PETITION THE DEALERSHIP OR BMW NORTH AMERICA LLC TO REMEDY THE ISSUE AS THEY HAVE REFUSED CITING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN MAKES THEM LIABLE ONLY FOR THOSE SPECIFIC MODEL YEARS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS NOT RECEIVING AS MUCH ATTENTION DUE TO THE MASSIVE TAKATA RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO PETITION THE NHTSA TO HAVE BMW EXPAND THE AIRBAG RECALL CAMPAIGN TO COVER ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS OF THE SAME PRODUCTION GENERATION OF THE X3.
NHTSA complaint #10822097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,990 milesBriarcliff Manor, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MAKING A BROKEN U-TURN IN A PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO EXTREME RAPID ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10654704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,806 milesSchaumburg, IL
SUSPENSION
LOUD RATTLE FROM REAR SUSPENSION, SOUNDED LIKE LOOSE SHOCK TOWER. TOOK TO DEALER, BOTH REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. I AVOID ALL ROAD HAZARDS AND DO NOT 'BEAT' MY CARS. BMW SERVICE ADVISOR HAD A BROKEN SPRING ON HER DESK TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUE. IT HAPPENS THAT OFTEN. REPAIR COST ME $987.38. I CALL MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10595291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lees Summit, MO
SEAT BELTS
WITH NO OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING ALARM WENT OFF ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, FORCING THE DRIVER TO FASTEN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT. THIS WARNING ALSO OCCURRED ONCE WHEN THERE WAS AN OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT SEAT AND HAD THE SEAT BELT PROPERLY FASTENED.
NHTSA complaint #10563961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20 milesVerona, NJ
TIRES
PIRELLI SCORPION TIRE 235/55HR17 99H BLOW-OUTS IN SIDE WALLS.
NHTSA complaint #10438450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesHoffman Estates, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*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.
NHTSA complaint #10344667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.