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2010 BMW X3 Problems & Owner Complaints

85 NHTSA owner complaints
3 crash 4 fire 1 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~5.0 complaints per year on the road — ranking 9 of 10 BMW X3 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Air Bags is the most-reported problem area on the 2010 BMW X3, cited in 35 of 85 filed complaints (41%).

Engine And Engine Cooling is next (16 complaints, 19%), followed by Engine (14), Electrical System (11), Steering (5).

Across all complaints, 3 report a crash, 4 report a fire, 1 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Engine: 1 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2010 BMW X3, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 85.

Air Bags 35 3 crash 1 injury

“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 TO…”
NHTSA complaint #10926525, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 2 YEARS WITH DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS (FRONT). I HAVE RECEIVED MANY NOTICES ABOUT THIS BUT NO RESULTS. THE FIRST NOTICE SAID "IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG, EXCESSIVE IONTERNAL PRESSURE COULD CAUSE RUPTURING OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE DRIVER OR OTHER PASSENGERS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY!!!!!! I HAVE ADVISED MY ATTORNEY OF THIS RECALL ( OVER 2 YEARS) IN CASE I AM KILLED BY THIS DEFECTIVE…”
NHTSA complaint #10984723, 2016 · crash

“DRIVING FROM WORK ON A SNOWING DAY, GOING ABOUT 25 TO 35. THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTED GOING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF LANE. I TRADED TO GET CONTROL BUT IT WAS TO LATE. I HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10702037, 2015 · crash

Engine And Engine Cooling 16 1 fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE HOOD OF VEHICLE WAS OPEN, HE OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE EMISSION VALVE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10639084, 2014 · fire

“The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact stated that after the dealer had performed the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); the vehicle experienced a significant rough idle, and abnormal whistling and squealing sounds were coming from the engine while the contact was driving from the dealer parking lot. The contact drove back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the new PCV valve cover gasket had caused a vacuum leak. The dealer related the failure to the recall remedy. The dealer charged a fee for the repair. The contact declined to pay the…”
NHTSA complaint #11634437, 2025

“The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11592184, 2024

Engine 14 1 crash 2 fire 1 injury

“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 TO…”
NHTSA complaint #10926525, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“No warnings. The car started smoking while driving down the interstate. Lost electrical and brakes at around 30 mph while trying to stop. My daughter had to roll out of the car while moving because my brakes wouldn’t stop. Finally slammed in park. Car was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11455946, 2021 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE HOOD OF VEHICLE WAS OPEN, HE OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE EMISSION VALVE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10639084, 2014 · fire

Electrical System 11 1 fire

“No warnings. The car started smoking while driving down the interstate. Lost electrical and brakes at around 30 mph while trying to stop. My daughter had to roll out of the car while moving because my brakes wouldn’t stop. Finally slammed in park. Car was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11455946, 2021 · fire

“POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER: This recall involves an engine component known as the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve heater. The PCV valve heater may not have been produced to specifications which could lead to a short circuit. Safety Risk: Should a short circuit occur, the PCV valve heater could overheat, lead to smoldering, and possibly start melting. In extremely rare cases, this could increase the risk of a fire. The recall has been going on for six months and still as of today there is no remedy. I refuse to drive a vehicle that I'm currently still paying f…”
NHTSA complaint #11473412, 2022

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11133391, 2018

Steering 5

“WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. WE WERE UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP/MOTOR AND RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,600. UPON INSPECTION NHTSA HAS 3 INCIDENTS OF THIS OCCURRING IN THE SAME VEHICLE. A BEIEF ONLINE SEARCH INDICATED MANY BMW X3 OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS.”
NHTSA complaint #11181959, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP/MOTOR AND RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,600.”
NHTSA complaint #11176512, 2019

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10763124, 2015

Seats 3 1 fire

“THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTION. THE SEAT OVER HEATED AND A HOLE WAS CREATED AS A RESULT OF BURN ON TOP OF THE COIL.”
NHTSA complaint #11388736, 2020 · fire

“I HAVE A 2010 BMW X3 THAT NEEDS A RIGHT FRONT SEAT MAT TO CORRECT AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH IS ON. DEALER TOLD ME PART IS ON ORDER AND NO PERSON SHOULD SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL REPAIRED. WILL IT IS ALL MOST 1 YEAR WAITING ON SEAT MAT.(I HAD A RECALL FOR TAKATA AIR BAG ON STEERING WHEEL REPLACED. WITCH WAS DONE FASTER THAN THIS SEAT MAT.) I NEED TO KNOW HOW LONG BMW HAS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM???”
NHTSA complaint #11184488, 2018

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER HEAD REST WOULD NOT GO DOWN FAR ENOUGH AND IT WAS APPROXIMATELY AN INCH AND A HALF FROM THE TOP OF THE SEAT. ONE OF THE DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE IS FIVE FEET TWO INCHES AND THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. BMW STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THERE WERE UNABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 450. UPDATED 03/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 05/13/10.*JB”
NHTSA complaint #10302486, 2010

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Structure 3 1 fire

“IN MOTION WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING. STATIONARY WHEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES”
NHTSA complaint #11091547, 2018 · fire

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SHE HEARD A CLINKING SOUND, IT WAS THE SUN ROOF GLASS THAT SHATTERED. MY WIFE STOPPED AT A HARDWARE STORE TAPED THE GLASS, AND COVERED IT WITH PLASTIC. THE GLASS COULD HAVE FLOWN OFF AND DAMAGES CARS( INCLUDING OURS) AND INJURED PEOPLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10500707, 2013

“I HAVE A 2010 BMW 328I. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKE, MY FOOT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I HAVE HAD OTHER BMW'S AND HAVE NOT HAD THIS ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE A 2009 ESCALADE AND THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10386048, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control 3

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 295 AROUND 67 MPH. WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 10 MINUTES I FELT A LOSS OF SPEED ABOUT FIVE TIMES. IT FEEL LIKE I LET GO THE GAS PEDAL, BUT I NEVER DID. AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS ON 67 MPH. I TRY TO PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. I TRY TO START THE CAR BACK UP BUT IT WON'T START. I KEEP TRYIN FOR ABOUT TEN TIMES AND IT ABOUT HALF AN HOUR WENT BY IT START BACK UP AGAIN. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10672035, 2015

“I HAVE A 2010 BMW 328I. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKE, MY FOOT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I HAVE HAD OTHER BMW'S AND HAVE NOT HAD THIS ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE A 2009 ESCALADE AND THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10386048, 2011

“I WAS EXITING A FREEWAY AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PASSED THE VEHICLE AND ACCELERATED IN ORDER TO KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR BEHIND ME. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, WHEN I "PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL", I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. MY CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER FOR ABOUT 5 - 8 SECONDS. THE CAR I HAD JUST PASSED NEARLY REAR-ENDED ME BECAUSE THEY DID NOT EXPECT ME PASS AND THEN REDUCE MY SPEED. I TOOK MY CARE TO THE BMW DEALER WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. THEY CHECKS OUT THE CAR (IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS OLD) AND COULD NOT…”
NHTSA complaint #10448436, 2010

Exterior Lighting 2

“PASSENGER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL CEASED TO FUNCTION....UPDATED 03/31/15 *BF THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TAIL LIGHT. IT WAS JUST A LOOSE CONNECTION.”
NHTSA complaint #10702259, 2015

“NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE BLINKER STARTED TO BLINK QUICKLY. THE BRAKES AND TAIL LIGHTS USE A BULB WHILE THE BLINKER HAS APPROXIMATELY 15 LEDS. THEREFORE THE ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL OF THE LEDS DO NOT LIGHT UP AND THE ONES THAT DO ARE DIM. TWO WEEKS LATER THE DRIVER SIDE BLINKER DID THE SAME THING. THIS CONCERNS ME AS ANOTHER DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT I AM TURNING UNTIL IT IS TO LATE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10597574, 2014

Fuel System 2

“I WAS EXITING A FREEWAY AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PASSED THE VEHICLE AND ACCELERATED IN ORDER TO KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR BEHIND ME. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, WHEN I "PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL", I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. MY CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER FOR ABOUT 5 - 8 SECONDS. THE CAR I HAD JUST PASSED NEARLY REAR-ENDED ME BECAUSE THEY DID NOT EXPECT ME PASS AND THEN REDUCE MY SPEED. I TOOK MY CARE TO THE BMW DEALER WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. THEY CHECKS OUT THE CAR (IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS OLD) AND COULD NOT…”
NHTSA complaint #10448436, 2010

“WE LEASED A NEW 2010 BMW 335D (DIESEL) ON 12/12/09. ON 2/28/10, THE CAR FAILED TO START FOR THE SECOND TIME AFTER A VERY HEAVY RAIN AND WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY BMW DEALER. WE TOLD THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR THAT WE BELIEVED THERE WAS WATER IN THE SYSTEM RESULTING FROM THE RAIN. AFTER EXAMINING THE CAR, HE TOLD US THAT THE CAR'S FAILURE TO START TWICE AFTER A HEAVY RAIN WAS JUST A COINCIDENCE, THAT THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE SYSTEM AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE RESULT OF FAULTY GLOW PLUGS, WHICH WOULD TAKE A WHILE TO COME FROM GERMANY. HE ALSO INFORMED US THAT REPAIR EFFORTS WOULD BE FURTHER DELAYED BE…”
NHTSA complaint #10336006, 2010

Tires 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO CONTACT TIRES, SIZE 205/55/R16, DOT NUMBER: 1LT4 BXH62711. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES WOULD CONSISTENTLY LOOSE AIR AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 11/17/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. SHE ALSO STATED THE TIRES MUST BE CHECKED ON…”
NHTSA complaint #10430693, 2010

“BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RUN FLAT TIRES CAUSE NOISE AND VIBRATION AFTER 7000KM ON A 2010 BMW 328IX. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10406802, 2010

Unknown Or Other 2

“CATALYTIC PERMANENT FAILURE-REPLACE, 08MAY14, 30KMILES. OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACE, 16JUN14, 30KMILES. EXTREME CARBON BUILD UP-WALNUT BLAST CYLINDERS,CLEAN INTAKE&EXHAUST SIDE, 23MAR15, 35KMILES. REPLACE INJECTOR, 08APR15, 35K MILES. REPLACE NOX SENSOR, 17APR15, 29KMILES. DIESEL ACTIVE TANK FAILURE 28 SEPT 15, 37K MILES. CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE-PART ON BACK ORDER, 28SEPT15, 37KMILES. DSC REAR SENSOR FAILURE,07DEC15, 38K MILES. ABOVE ENGINE AND RELATED EMISSIONS FAULTS CAUSED POOR MILEAGE AND POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS, LIKELY TO BE NEEDED AGAIN-SPECIFICALLY WALNU…”
NHTSA complaint #10816877, 2015

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10618907, 2014

Visibility 2

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SHE HEARD A CLINKING SOUND, IT WAS THE SUN ROOF GLASS THAT SHATTERED. MY WIFE STOPPED AT A HARDWARE STORE TAPED THE GLASS, AND COVERED IT WITH PLASTIC. THE GLASS COULD HAVE FLOWN OFF AND DAMAGES CARS( INCLUDING OURS) AND INJURED PEOPLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10500707, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO TRAFFIC, ALL WINDOWS CLOSED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY AN ABNORMAL CRACKING SOUND. HE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THEN NOTICED THERE WAS AN ENORMOUS HOLE IN THE SUNROOF AND SHATTERED GLASS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE IMPACTED THE WINDOW TO BREAK IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED SOMETHING HAD IMPACTED THE WINDOW TO CAUSE THE FAILURE. UPDATED EVOQ 08/03/10.*JB”
NHTSA complaint #10343343, 2010

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 295 AROUND 67 MPH. WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 10 MINUTES I FELT A LOSS OF SPEED ABOUT FIVE TIMES. IT FEEL LIKE I LET GO THE GAS PEDAL, BUT I NEVER DID. AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS ON 67 MPH. I TRY TO PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. I TRY TO START THE CAR BACK UP BUT IT WON'T START. I KEEP TRYIN FOR ABOUT TEN TIMES AND IT ABOUT HALF AN HOUR WENT BY IT START BACK UP AGAIN. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10672035, 2015

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1

“DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT CURLED UP AT FRONT AND WAS CAPTURED BY CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN CHANGING GEAR. WHEN CLUTCH WAS AGAIN ENGAGED, MAT WAS PULLED UP AND INTERFERED WITH SUBSEQUENT BRAKE OPERATION BEFORE FREEING ITSELF AND FALLING BACK ONTO FLOOR WELL. SINCE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, IT TOOK A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10509785, 2013

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

“FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS. KNOWN PROBLEM AT BMW AND MECHANICS. BMW HAS OFFERED AN "LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION". WHY WASN'T IT A FULL RECALL? MY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I'M REPORTING IT ONLY AS A CONCERN.”
NHTSA complaint #11013535, 2017

Power Train 1

“DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT CURLED UP AT FRONT AND WAS CAPTURED BY CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN CHANGING GEAR. WHEN CLUTCH WAS AGAIN ENGAGED, MAT WAS PULLED UP AND INTERFERED WITH SUBSEQUENT BRAKE OPERATION BEFORE FREEING ITSELF AND FALLING BACK ONTO FLOOR WELL. SINCE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, IT TOOK A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10509785, 2013

Seat Belts 1

“TAKATA RECALL - I THINK AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME. BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AFFECTING THIS. BOTH STATIONARY AND MOVING.”
NHTSA complaint #11132144, 2018

Service Brakes 1

“I HAVE A 2010 BMW 328I. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKE, MY FOOT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I HAVE HAD OTHER BMW'S AND HAVE NOT HAD THIS ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE A 2009 ESCALADE AND THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10386048, 2011

Visibility/Wiper 1

“REAR DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED TWICE LEAVING WINDOW STUCK OPEN AND INOPERABLE. WINDOW WAS BEING OPENED TO VENT INTERIOR AFTER BEING PARKED AND VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. FIRST TIME REPAIR WAS MADE UNDER CPO WARRANTY WITH ~39K MILES. SECOND REPAIR MADE FOR $750 (CPO WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED). SECOND REGULATOR FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 10K MILES, AND ONLY 22 MONTHS, FROM FIRST FAILURE. BMW SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAYS "IT HAPPENS." BMW DOES NOT HONOR THEIR 2-YR PARTS WARRANTY FOR PARTS REPLACED WHEN REPAIR IS DONE UNDER WARRANTY (AND THENCE EXPIRED). THE WINDOW REGULATOR(S) APPEAR T…”
NHTSA complaint #11005482, 2017

Wheels 1

“BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE - DELIMITATION? NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING IN ARIZONA. TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT TREAD LEFT AND STILL HOLDS AIR. SEE PHOTO.”
NHTSA complaint #11015385, 2017

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2010 BMW X3 draws about 5.0 complaints per year on the road, ranking 9 of 10 among the BMW X3 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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