Federal complaints
160
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 160 of 160 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 112 of 160 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Power train
47 complaint records1 crash report
"TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY, HESITATES ON OCCASION AND WHEN COLD IT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REV IN EXCESS OF 3,000 RPM BEFORE SHIFTING. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Seats
42 complaint records18 fire reports
"THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT GOT SO HOT THAT IT STARTED TO SMOKE, BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER AND BURNT MY WIFE'S COAT AND LEG. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse seats parts in the directory →
Air bags
41 complaint records2 crash reports
""TAKATA RECALL" RECALL # 16V071 ISSUED ON 2/5/16 PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO BE REPLACED 16 DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED RESULTING FROM THE TAKATA INFLATORS MALFUNCTION IT IS AN EXTREME HAZARD TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE!..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 opened Sep 2021 | OPEN | Air Bags | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture 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. |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22V119000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible... | Normally free |
| 16V071000 | Air Bags | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i... | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022095 2022-03-02 | Engine | 98,111 | Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short circuit and overheat. |
| 2017470 2017-09-28 | Engine | 79,616 | On certain vehicles equipped with the N52 6-cylinder engine, an electrical short could occur in the PCV valve heater due to manufacturing irregularities. |
| 2017471 2017-09-28 | Airbag | 12,894 | On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the airbag warning lamp and the passenger airbag ON/OFF lamp. |
| 2016142 2016-03-31 | Airbag | 104,151 | On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. |
| 2013238 2013-07-05 | Airbag | 15,294 | On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the airbag warning lamp and the passenger airbag ON/OFF lamp. |
Show 1 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012129 2012-04-12 | Label | 67,771 | Certain vehicles fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Specifically, the compliance label does not indicate the wheel rim size, as required by the Standard. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B410722 Apr 2024 | Structure | While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard. | |
| B510819 Jan 2024 | Visibility | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. | |
| B611305 Jan 2024 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. | |
| B611305 Oct 2020 | Equipment | Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. | |
| SIB-12-14-12 Oct 2014 | Engine | BMW: EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, A NOISE, LIKE RATTLING, COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PE UPDATED 10/31/12. *PE MODELS 2010 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. UPDATED 1/18/13. *PE UPDATED 4/18/2013. |
Show 27 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIB-63-09-14 Oct 2014 | Exterior Lighting | BMW: SOME VEHICLES, WITH 552 OPTION, ARE EXPERIENCING A MALFUNCTION OF LED HEADLIGHT ON ONE WHERE IT FLICKERS ON AN DOFF DURING DRIVING AND THE CONTROL CHECK MESSAGE IS INDICATING DEFECTIVE DRIVING LIGHT OR PARKING LIGHT. *PE | |
| SIB-61-18-14 Jul 2014 | Electrical System | BMW: IN SOME VEHICLES, WHEN THE K CAN2 WIRING IS SHORTED, NO COMMUNICATION WITH ANY CONTROL MODULES (BOX ELECTRONICS, TELEMATIC CONTROL MODULE,CAR ACCESS SYSTEM, RADIO/NAVIGATION, CENTRAL GATEWAY MODEL OR FOOTWELL MODULE) DURING VEHICLE TESTING, NO ENGAGEMENT OF TRANSMISSION... | |
| SIB-11-03-08 Mar 2013 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW: CRANKCASE PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS AND INFORMATION FOR ALL VEHICLES. *RM UPDATED ON 4/24/2013. *KB | |
| SIB-61-13-05 Mar 2013 | Electrical System | BMW: BATTERY HAS AN INCREASED DEMAND DUE TO DEVELOPEMENTAL PROCESS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSING THE BATTER TO NEED TO UNDERGO AN ENERGY DIAGNOSIS. *KB | |
| SB-62-03-13 Jan 2013 | Electrical System | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY IS INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE. BMW F25, AND F30 MODELS. *KB | |
| SIB270212 Dec 2012 | Power Train | BMW: DSC WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE WARNING LAMPS FOR DSC, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THERE MAY ALSO BE A WARNING IN THE CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. *JS | |
| SIB-11-02-08 Nov 2012 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW VEHICLE: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (MIL) LAMP IS ILLUMINATED AND A POWER REDUCTION IS CLEARLY PERCEPTIBLE. THIS SITUATION MAY OCCUR AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME WITH THE ENGINE ALREADY AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. | |
| SIB-12-01-11 Jan 2012 | Fuel System | BMW: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A PROGRAMMING ISSUE. *RM UPDATED 1/4/12. *PE UPDATED 4/24/12. *PE | |
| CSC-512911 Aug 2011 | Visibility | BMW: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEFECT IN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER THAT FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE | |
| SIB-12-15-11 Jul 2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THERE ARE TROUBLE CODES STORED FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. NO DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. *RM | |
| SIB-12-17-09 May 2011 | Electrical System | BMW VEHICLE: WATER HAS ENTERED ELECTRONICS BOX BECAUSE THE LID IS NOT PROPERLY FITTED. ONCE IT IS VERIFIED THAT WATER HAS INDEED ENTERED THE ELECTRONICS BOX, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE BOTH THE LOWER PART OF THE ELECTRONICS BOX AND THE LID OF THE ELECTRONICS BOX. | |
| SIB-12-05-11 Mar 2011 | Electrical System | BMW: A SOFTWARE ERROR IS CAUSING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT OR CHECK GAS CAP LIGHT TO COME ON ALONG WITH STORED TROUBLE CODES. *RM | |
| CN-10E-A02 Dec 2010 | Fuel System | BMW SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP WHICH COULD NOT MEET EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. THERE MAY BE A LONG CRANK AND A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. *RM | |
| SIB-63-02-01 Aug 2010 | Exterior Lighting | BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM | |
| SIB-11-08-03 Jul 2010 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW: SIX DIFFERENT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE M54 ENGINE COULD HAVE VALVE COVERS BREAK IN COLD WEATHER AND RUIN THE ENGINE. THIS IS DUE TO MOISTURE ACCUMULATION. *RM | |
| SIB-32-04-07 Jun 2010 | Steering | BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL PROCESS HAS BEEN CREATED FOR BMW TO IDENTIFY CAUSES OF STEERING COMPLAINTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MODELS. *RM | |
| SIB-16-02-09 Dec 2009 | Fuel System | BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. | |
| SIB-24-05-06 Dec 2009 | Power Train | BMW VEHICLES: DELAYED UPSHIFT MAY OCCUR UPHILL IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT, USUALLY AFTER GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE, AND STAYS IN EITHER 3RD OR 4TH GEAR TOO LONG. CALIBRATON SENSITIVITY IN THE HILL RECOGNITION PROGRAM OF THE EGS TRANSMISSION MODULE. | |
| SIB-12-07-06 Oct 2009 | Electrical System | BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP ILLUMINATED-FC 23F4 MAP THERMOSTAT. IN SOME VEHICLES HAVE INSUFFICIENT HEAT. E90, E91 (3 SERIES), E60, E61 (5 SERIES) 3/06 AND E83 (X3 SERIES) 9/08. *PE | |
| SI-B34-01-09 Sep 2009 | Steering | BMW: THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR MUST BE ADJUSTED AFTER CERTAIN REPAIR WORK IS PERFORMED, SUCH AS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT OR CODING/PROGRAMMING OF THE DXC MODULE. DUE TO A SOFTWARE ERROR OF THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, THE DXC WARNING MAY BE DISPLAYED AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT IS PERFORMED. | |
| SB-12-01-09 May 2009 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW VEHICLES: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP OR CHECK GAS CAP WARNING ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE DME FOR THE TANK LEAK DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. MODELS E60, E61 (5 SERIES); E70 (X5); E71 (X6); E82, E88 (1 SERIES); E83 (X3); E90, E91, E92, E93 (3 SERIES). *PE | |
| SI-B-61-17-08 Nov 2008 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | BMW: SOFTWARE ERROR MAY RESULT IN THE CONTINUOUS ACTIVATION OF THE SERVOMOTORS IN THE LOCKS, RESULTING IN INDIVIDUAL LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE OR FUEL FILLER LOCK FAILURE. *PE | |
| SI-B-65-16-08 Sep 2008 | Air Bags | BMW VEHICLE: AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND FAULT CODE A1 IS STORED. A LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION CAUSED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR POSITION DATA TO BE LOST. THE BATTERY MAY HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED OR DISCONNECTED. (MODEL E83). *PE | |
| SI-B-84-05-08 Sep 2008 | Electrical System | BMW: THE TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT (TCU) IN VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ACTIVATED. THIS CAUSES THE MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY CALL AND ROADSIDE CALL (BMW ASSIST) NOT TO FUNCTION. MODELS E53, E60, E90, E83 ARE AFFECTED. *PE | |
| SIB-12-17-07 Jun 2008 | Power Train | BMW VEHICLE: ENGINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE; LACK OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING; ENGINE MAY CRANK TOO LONG BEFORE STARTING; LOSS OF POWER AT IDLE OR WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. E83 (X3) MODELS. *PE | |
| SI-B11-01-08 Apr 2008 | Equipment | BMW: REPLACE THE CHAIN TENSIONING RAIL BEARING BOLT THAT COULD COME LOOSE AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. MODELS E60 (5 SERIES), E70 (X5 SERIES), E83 (X3 SERIES), E9X (3 SERIES). *PE | |
| SIB-36-05-07 Dec 2007 | Tires | BMW: TIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. MODEL E90, E91(3 SERIES);E92, E92 (3 SERIES); E60 (5 SERIES); E60 (M5); E63, E64 (6 SERIES); E63, E64 (M6); E65, E66 (7 SERIES); E70 (X5); E83 (X3); AND E85, E86 (Z4). *PE |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Run every power seat adjustment and check the seat frame.Motors that stall and seats that rock on their tracks are this vehicle's seat complaints.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this BMW X3 Sav →