Owners filed 16 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 2 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
10
0
0
0
Electrical System
2
0
2
0
Vehicle Speed Control
1
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
Suspension
1
0
0
0
Seat Belts
1
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)22V119000
Filed Mar 2, 2022917,106 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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 (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk. An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V071000
Filed Feb 5, 2016840,000 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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 xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed May 20, 2018CA
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.
Air Bags
Filed May 17, 2017SC
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
Air Bags
Filed Jan 25, 2017WA
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.
Air Bags
Filed Nov 22, 2016MD
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.
Air Bags
Filed Oct 13, 2016PA
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. *JB
Air Bags
Filed Sep 6, 2016TX
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. *JB
Air Bags
Filed Sep 2, 2016NJ
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.
Air Bags
Filed Jun 30, 2016VA
"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?
Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 16, 201680,000 milesNY
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.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 15, 2016NY
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.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 25, 2016MD
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.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 13, 201478,990 milesNY
WHILE MAKING A BROKEN U-TURN IN A PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO EXTREME RAPID ACCELERATION. *TR
Suspension
Filed May 31, 201447,806 milesIL
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. *TR
Seat Belts
Filed Feb 12, 2014MO
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. *TR
Tires
Filed Dec 3, 201120 milesNJ
PIRELLI SCORPION TIRE 235/55HR17 99H BLOW-OUTS IN SIDE WALLS. *TR
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 22, 201025,000 milesIL
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.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Mar 2, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.