Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2011 BMW X3 SAV with NHTSA between 2014 and 2019.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 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 — 13
Against the median year of the BMW X3 SAV. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 12
7% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 BMW X3 SAV
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
422.2%
Median failure at 64,000 miles
Steering
316.7%
Median failure at 70,000 miles
Airbags
316.7%
Median failure at 68,900 miles
Other & Unspecified
211.1%
Median failure at 70,510 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
211.1%
Median failure at 73,000 miles
Seats
15.6%
Median failure at 60,900 miles
Lights
15.6%
Median failure at 68,900 miles
Body & Structure
15.6%
Electrical System
15.6%
Median failure at 68,900 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
214.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
964.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
321.4%
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.
May 2014peak 3May 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 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...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 79,000 milesBlue Earth, MN
STEERING
STEERING IS "STICKY" WHEN TRYING TO MOVE FROM THE CENTER POSITION IN MY 2011 BMW X3 35I-- DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS USED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE CURRENT LANE OF TRAVEL, HIGHER THAN NORMAL RESISTANCE TO TURNING IS FELT. ONCE THE INITIAL RESISTANCE IS OVERCOME, THE RESISTANCE LESSENS, RESULTING IN A TENDENCY TO TURN THE WHEEL FURTHER THAN WAS INTENDED. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR CENTERED IN MY LANE AND RESULTS IN THE CAR JERKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHICH MAKES IT DANGEROUS AND STRESSFUL. TIRES AND ALIGNMENT ARE ALL VERY GOOD AND WEARING CORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #11207189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery Village, MD
AIR BAGS
NOTHING HAPPENED (YET) BUT BMW SERVICE TELLS ME THERE'S NO RECALLS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF ON MY VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11202531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery Village, MD
ENGINE
NOTHING HAPPENED (YET) BUT BMW SERVICE TELLS ME THERE'S NO RECALLS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF ON MY VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11202531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
POWER TRAIN
THE COOLANT SYSTEM IS GIVING ME MANY PROBLEMS. THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE SEAM AND LEAKING. THE THERMOSTAT WAS STUCK, CAUSING ZERO HEAT INTO THE CABIN ON A COLD DAY. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD NOT RE START THE IGNITION KEPT TRYING, AND AFTER 20 MINUTES STALLED IT FINALLY STARTED, LIMP DRIVING TO MY HOUSE FROM THERE. . THE DISPLAY READS DRIVE MODERATELY /DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #11184363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
ENGINE
THE COOLANT SYSTEM IS GIVING ME MANY PROBLEMS. THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE SEAM AND LEAKING. THE THERMOSTAT WAS STUCK, CAUSING ZERO HEAT INTO THE CABIN ON A COLD DAY. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD NOT RE START THE IGNITION KEPT TRYING, AND AFTER 20 MINUTES STALLED IT FINALLY STARTED, LIMP DRIVING TO MY HOUSE FROM THERE. . THE DISPLAY READS DRIVE MODERATELY /DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #11184363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesPaia, HI
STEERING
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING
NHTSA complaint #11132038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,900 milesTroy, NY
AIR BAGS
ONLY HAVE MY CAR FOR ONLY A YEAR. TAILLIGHT FROM PASSENGER SIDE: THE RUNNING LIGHT DEFECTS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY LIGHT AND THIS IS WELL KNOWN FOR THIS CAR. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY DRIVER RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON AND MY A/C OR TEMPERATURE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, AND CONTROL DISPLAY STOPPED WORKING. I AM NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE DRIVER SEAT. JUST BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL SERVICE. WAS TOLD THIS MAY SOLVE THE ISSUES AND MAY NOT. IF NOT, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE TAILLIGHT, AIRBAG AND THE CONTROL DISPLAY ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11097235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,900 milesTroy, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ONLY HAVE MY CAR FOR ONLY A YEAR. TAILLIGHT FROM PASSENGER SIDE: THE RUNNING LIGHT DEFECTS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY LIGHT AND THIS IS WELL KNOWN FOR THIS CAR. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY DRIVER RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON AND MY A/C OR TEMPERATURE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, AND CONTROL DISPLAY STOPPED WORKING. I AM NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE DRIVER SEAT. JUST BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL SERVICE. WAS TOLD THIS MAY SOLVE THE ISSUES AND MAY NOT. IF NOT, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE TAILLIGHT, AIRBAG AND THE CONTROL DISPLAY ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11097235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,900 milesTroy, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ONLY HAVE MY CAR FOR ONLY A YEAR. TAILLIGHT FROM PASSENGER SIDE: THE RUNNING LIGHT DEFECTS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY LIGHT AND THIS IS WELL KNOWN FOR THIS CAR. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY DRIVER RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON AND MY A/C OR TEMPERATURE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, AND CONTROL DISPLAY STOPPED WORKING. I AM NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE DRIVER SEAT. JUST BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL SERVICE. WAS TOLD THIS MAY SOLVE THE ISSUES AND MAY NOT. IF NOT, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE TAILLIGHT, AIRBAG AND THE CONTROL DISPLAY ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11097235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Garden, FL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL: THE DEALER HAD FAILED TO OBTAIN THE PART OR PARTS NECESSARY TO FIX THE AIRBAGS PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS ALREADY SINCE THEY CLAIMED HAD ORDERED THE PARTS. I CALLED BACK, MADE APPOINTMENT, CONFIRMED APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I WENT BACK TO DEALER, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART. THEY SAID THEY WERE ORDERING IT AND WILL CALL ME BACK. WEEKS HAD PASSED AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WOULD NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS AND THEN IT WOULD BE TOO LATE.
NHTSA complaint #11082458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ramona, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
IN THE SUMMER OF 2014, THE PANORAMIC MOON ROOF EXPLODED FOR NO REASON. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, WITH THE MOON ROOF SHADE CLOSED,THERE WAS A VERY LOUD "BANG". AFTER SAFELY PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AN INSPECTION REVEALED NO EVIDENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER PULLING INTO THE LOT AT WORK, A "RAINING' SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ROOF. AS SOON AS THE SHADE WAS OPENED, SHATTERED GLASS FELL INTO THE CAB OF THE CAR. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT NO COST AFTER SOME INTENSE CONVERSATION WITH MANAGEMENT. THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OF CONSUMER REPORTS HAD EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF UNEXPLAINED MOON ROOF EXPLOSIONS. DURING THE COVERAGE, IT WAS ADVISED THAT INCIDENTS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO YOU SO FOLLOW UPS COULD BE DONE AS NEEDED. WE HAVE NO ISSUES WITH THE REPAIR, JUST THAT HAD WE NOT BEEN INFORMED AND INSISTENT, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR BILL BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE ARE NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATE.
NHTSA complaint #11056921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,120 milesNEW Windsor, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AS TEMPERATURE GAUGE RISES ABOVE FIRST HASH MARK A WARNING COMES ON THE SCREEN CAR RUNNING HOT DRIVE SLOW AND GET SERVICED. ONCE TEMP REACHES BEFORE THE MID-POINT WHICH IS 250 SO AT ABOUT 230 TO 240 DEGREES THE CAR LOOSES ALL POWER. PUTTING THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR IT DOWN SHIFTS ENGINE RACES AND CAR GOES NO WHERE SLOWS DOWN TO 10 MPH THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS WHEN THERE IS NOWHERE TO PULL OVER IN TRAFFIC. CAR SHOULD NOT BE PROGRAMMED TO CUT POWER IN THIS CONDITION HAD MY WIFE ALL FREAKED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10970843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,900 milesGaithersburg, MD
SEATS
VEHICLES HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH LOWER ANCHOR BARS FOR USE IN ATTACHING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS WHICH, IF SPECIFICALLY USED WITH EUROPEAN-ISOFIX-TYPE RIGID-STYLE CONNECTOR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, COULD BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THE LOWER ANCHOR BAR(S) BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THIS WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD IN A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM ATTACHED TO THE LOWER ANCHOR BARS IN A CRASH. A REINFORCING BRACKET WILL BE WELDED TO THE LOWER ANCHOR BARS AND THE VEHICLE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #10946280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,900 milesGaithersburg, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLES HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH LOWER ANCHOR BARS FOR USE IN ATTACHING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS WHICH, IF SPECIFICALLY USED WITH EUROPEAN-ISOFIX-TYPE RIGID-STYLE CONNECTOR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, COULD BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THE LOWER ANCHOR BAR(S) BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THIS WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD IN A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM ATTACHED TO THE LOWER ANCHOR BARS IN A CRASH. A REINFORCING BRACKET WILL BE WELDED TO THE LOWER ANCHOR BARS AND THE VEHICLE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #10946280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,700 milesMilpitas, CA
ENGINE
BMW'S USE ELECTRIC WATER PUMPS COMPARED TO MOSTLY BELT DRIVEN PUMPS USED BY OTHER MANUFACTURES. IN THE BMW COMMUNITY IT IS WIDELY KNOW THAT THE PUMPS WILL FAIL AFTER 60,000 MILES, AND SOME EVEN SOONER. BMW KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND HAS IN FACT CHANGED THE DESIGN AND THE VENDOR SUPPLIER FOR THIS PART. THE COMPANY SHOULD VOLUNTARILY RECALL ALL VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE FAULTY PUMP DESIGN AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE HAD TO CHANGE IT OUT OF WARRANTY ON THEIR OWN EXPENSE. BMW HAS NOT TAKEN ANY RESPONSIBILITY BUT ITS A SAFETY ISSUE AS ONE CAN LOOSE ALL ENGINE POWER THAT PUTS THE CAR IN A LIMP MODE, IMAGINE IF THAT HAPPENS ON A FREEWAY WHERE OTHER CARS MIGHT HIT YOU FOR GOING AT 25 MPH IN A 65-70 MPH ZONE IN CALIFORNIA. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME ON A FREEWAY AND IT WAS SCARY AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT THAT DAY BEING CHRISTMAS. BLOG AFTER BLOG ON BMW DESCRIBES THIS ISSUE AND IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THEIR WATER PUMPS AMONGST ALL BMW ENTHUSIASTS.
NHTSA complaint #10940309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesGreentown, PA
POWER TRAIN
I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE CONFIGURATION OF THE GEARSHIFT WHICH IS ELECTRONIC. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 50 YEARS AND EVERY CAR OR TRUCK I HAVE OWNED OR DRIVEN THE SHIFT LEVER WHEN PUSHED FORWARD ON THE CENTER CONSOLE OR UP ON THE COLUMN GOES INTO PARK. IN THIS BMW WHEN YOU PUSH THE SHIFT LEVEL ALL THE WAY FORWARD THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE NOT PARK, A SEPARATE BUTTON MUST BE PUSHED TO ELECTRONICALLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK.I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO BOTH THE DRIVER (WHO CAN THINK THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK AS I HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN DROPPING SOMEONE OFF OR IN A DRIVE THROUGH) AND THEN EITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER STEPS OUT AND THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE NOT PARK AND COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.IT IS ALSO A HAZARD TO A PERSON OR VEHICLE BEHIND THE VEHICLE THAT THE DRIVER THOUGHT WAS IN PARK. THIS SETUP IS NOT INTUITIVE AT ALL AND GOES AGAINST ALL LOGIC. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN OWNED FOR A SHORT TIME AND I CANNOT GET USED TO THIS SETUP AS I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES (INCLUDING A 2004 BMW X3) THAT HAVE THE CONVENTIONAL SHIFT PATTERN. THIS SHIFT PATTERN AND SHIFTER IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND I FEEL UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10887535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
ENGINE
VEHICLE IS PARKED ON DRIVEWAY THE ENGINE STARTED . DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION SHOWS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. ENGINE STARTS BUT CAN NOT PUT IT DRIVE OR REVERSE
NHTSA complaint #10876485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesDIX Hill, NY
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE STEERING CONTROL MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA complaint #10585849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.