2010 BMW X3 Sav

Routine

Owners filed 23 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags15
101
Steering3
000
Structure › Body2
010
Unknown or Other1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe1
000
Engine1
000

3 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine14V176000
Filed Apr 10, 2014156,137 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

Risk. If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Oct 4, 201897,535 milesCA

ON MAY 31 2018 I TOOK MY X3 IN TO ROSEVILLE BMW FOR AIR BAG RECALL #B651617 PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT THEY TOLD MW PART ON ORDER AND DO NOT HAVE ANY PERSON SEATING IN THAT SEAT UBTILL RECALL IS COMPLEITED. IT IS NOW OCT 4 2018 AND NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE. I JUST GOT 2 MORE RECALL NOTICES FROM ROSEVILLE BMW STATING TO CALL THEM ABOUT RECALL #B651617 PAAS SEAT MAT. SO I CALLED SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME NO PARTS HAVE COME IN AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE SHIPPED!!!!!, ALSO ON ANOTHER NOTE ON THIS X3 I HAVE ALSO REPLACED WINDOW REGULATORS ALL 4 AND NOW BOTH REAR REGULATORS BROKE AGAIN #5 AND #6 THAT IS NOT CHEAP WHY??????

Structure › BodyFire
Filed May 3, 201874,000 milesFL

IN MOTION WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING. STATIONARY WHEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES

Air Bags
Filed Nov 22, 2017PA

TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR HAS BEEN ON THE RECALL LIST FOR YEARS AND THE DEALER NEVER SEEMS TO HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 201759,000 milesCA

IT'S BEEN 17 MONTHS AND BMW NA HAS NOT MOVED ON REPAIRING MY CAR.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 28, 2017GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/25/17*LJ *AS

Air Bags
Filed Apr 14, 2017AZ

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MORE THAN TWO DEALERS, BUT A SPECIFIC DATE COULD NOT BE PROVIDED FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/01/17*LJ *CN

Air Bags
Filed Mar 8, 2017CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 13, 2017TN

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 21, 201635,000 milesFL

RECEIVED FROM BMW, IN MARCH 2016, RECALL NOTICE 16V-071, DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE. AS OF THIS DATE, BMW STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE, AND AS OF THIS DATE (12-21-2016) ADVISED ME NOT TO EXPECT THEM UNTIL EARLY 2017 - ALMOST A YEAR LATER. MY PRIOR COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA HAS BEEN IGNORED. SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE, NEEDS TO BE FIRED.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 17, 2016MD

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 16V071 ISSUED ON 02/5/16 INSTRUCT THAT 2010 BMW X3 XDRIVE30I DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE AND MAY PRODUCE EXECESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE THAT COULD CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO RAPTURE RESULTING IN SERIOOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING FREQUENTLY WITH BMW AND DID NOT REMEDY THE DEFECT TO DATE WHICH I THINK MORE THAN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME TO COMPLETE THIS DEFEECT.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 16, 2016NY

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE WHILE THE PASSENGER REMAINED INSIDE. ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT, AND CAUSED IT TO CRASH INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO THE BACK, SHOULDER, AND NECK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VANOS HOUSING BOLTS WERE SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT HAD NOT CALLED THE CONTACT BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 21, 2016VA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 18, 2016NY

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 18, 2016FL

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE DATED MARCH 2016 RE "DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE". BMW SARASOTA, FL DEALER STATES THAT NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT. THAT IS A 6 MONTH DELAY, WHICH IS AN UNREASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME FOR REPAIR.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 9, 2016MD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 8, 2016MA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 15, 201525,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Sep 11, 201533,500 milesMD

MANY DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. TOOK TO BMW OF ROCKVILLE MD. THEY DIAGNOSED FAILURE OF "FAULTY STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND COIL SPRING." THEY CONFIRMED THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THAT IT WAS NOTHING WE DID THAT CAUSED IT-- IT WAS A FAULTY PART. AFTER ONLY 33,000 MILES, TO HAVE A CRITICAL PART FAIL, SEEMS SERIOUS TO ME. THEY CHARGED US $2080.76 TO FIX, BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE WARRANTY DUE TO AGE OF CAR. TO MY MIND IF A PART FAULT OR FAILURE OCCURS, THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, A RECALL ISSUE, NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND THE CARMAKER SHOULD FIX AND REPORT IT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 5, 201436,000 milesFL

RECEIVED NOTICE IN JUNE 2014 REGARDING RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 14V-176: VANOS ASSEMBLY BOLTS. AFTER AN INITIAL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED, FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER. A TELEPHONE CALL TO/FROM THE LOCAL BMW DEALER SUGGESTED THAT I BE PATIENT AND WAIT TO BE CONTACTED WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER, BMW OF SARASOTA IS A SUPERIOR DEALERSHIP - I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS WITH THEM, ONLY COMPLIMENTS. HOWEVER, AN E-MAIL SENT TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS, AT THE ADDRESS CONTAINED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, WAS NOT RESPONDED TO. I WAS REQUESTING A STATUS UPDATE. MY CONCERN IS THAT A WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLE, O/A 8/4/2014, SUGGESTS NEGLIGENT FOLLOW-UP BY THE NHTSA REGARDING RECALLS. IT SUGGESTS THAT A WAIT TIME FOR REPAIRS OF UP TO TEN MONTHS OR MORE, WITH NO INTERVENTION BY THE NHTSA, IS THE NORM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FROM THE NHTSA WHAT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES ARE WITH REGARD TO THE STATUS OF RECALLS, ESPECIALLY THIS ONE. YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WAS INDICATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE NHTSA'S LACK OF FOLLOW-UP ON VEHICLE SAFETY RECALLS - NOT BMW. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 27, 201351,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSES THE VEHICLE AS HAVING A DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

20 of 23 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20126000Routine
201113100Routine
2010 — this page23310Routine
200916220Routine
200856210Routine
20071602200High concern

Compare every X3 Sav year →

Reading this record

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.