FaultScore

BMW X3 SAV vs Lexus RX300

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW X3 SAV Lexus RX300
Complaints on file 343 849
Model years covered 2007–2012 1998–2003
Worst model year 2007 1999
Best model year 2011 2003
Crashes reported 12 89
Fires reported 33 16
Injuries reported 28 51
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Airbags Transmission & Drivetrain
Share of complaints involving harm 21.3% 18.4%

BMW X3 SAV by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Airbags 99 28.9%
Seats 51 14.9%
Engine & Cooling 42 12.2%
Steering 11 3.2%
Fuel & Propulsion 9 2.6%
Body & Structure 8 2.3%

Lexus RX300 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 92 10.8%
Airbags 37 4.4%
Brakes 36 4.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 17 2.0%
Seat Belts 16 1.9%