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2016 BMW X3 Problems & Owner Complaints

82 NHTSA owner complaints
7 crash 3 fire 2 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~7.5 complaints per year on the road — ranking 8 of 10 BMW X3 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Electrical System is the most-reported problem area on the 2016 BMW X3, cited in 23 of 82 filed complaints (28%).

Engine And Engine Cooling is next (18 complaints, 22%), followed by Engine (13), Service Brakes (10), Power Train (9).

Across all complaints, 7 report a crash, 3 report a fire, 2 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Seat Belts: 2 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2016 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 82.

Electrical System 23 1 fire

“ON 8/30/20,AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR AFTER A LONG DRIVE, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED DOWN TWO ADJACENT HOMES. THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR AN HOUR BEFORE IT STARTED TO BURN.”
NHTSA complaint #11354903, 2020 · fire

“While driving on a two-lane 40 MPH road in the left lane the vehicle suddenly lost power, stopped in traffic, and displayed a transmission warning message. Multiple warning lights were "on" and the car would not restart. Additionally, the vehicle would not come out of "Park." Occupants needed to await police who stopped traffic in order for occupants to be able to exit the vehicle safely. The vehicle was towed to BMW of Atlantic City located at [XXX]. Technician found ground missing at EGS, inspected ground strap on transmission and found it severely corroded. Technician replaced ground s…”
NHTSA complaint #11751025, 2026

“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair and stated that since the vehicle was manufactured in Canada, the recall repair could not be performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11702564, 2025

Engine And Engine Cooling 18 1 fire

“The contact owned a 2016 BMW X3. The contact stated that while parking in the garage, the warning message "engine overheated" had displayed, but the temperature gauge displayed a normal temperature reading. The contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood before entering the home, along with a strange sound. Moments later, the contact returned to the garage and discovered flames coming from under the front end of the vehicle. The contact quickly drove the vehicle out of the garage onto the driveway. The vehicle became engulfed in flames, and the fire department was called to the scene and…”
NHTSA complaint #11695769, 2025 · fire

“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair and stated that since the vehicle was manufactured in Canada, the recall repair could not be performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11702564, 2025

“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11680391, 2025

Engine 13 1 crash 1 fire

“ON 8/30/20,AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR AFTER A LONG DRIVE, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED DOWN TWO ADJACENT HOMES. THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR AN HOUR BEFORE IT STARTED TO BURN.”
NHTSA complaint #11354903, 2020 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW X3. WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE RPMS INCREASED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF ONTARIO (1301 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761, (909) 402-3052) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE RESULTS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11184715, 2019 · crash

“While driving on a two-lane 40 MPH road in the left lane the vehicle suddenly lost power, stopped in traffic, and displayed a transmission warning message. Multiple warning lights were "on" and the car would not restart. Additionally, the vehicle would not come out of "Park." Occupants needed to await police who stopped traffic in order for occupants to be able to exit the vehicle safely. The vehicle was towed to BMW of Atlantic City located at [XXX]. Technician found ground missing at EGS, inspected ground strap on transmission and found it severely corroded. Technician replaced ground s…”
NHTSA complaint #11751025, 2026

Unknown Or Other 12

“The complete A/C unit has completely gone out and I am just now getting notice after almost a year of a coolant pump recall that could potentially create a fire hazard. I am told that to date a remedy has still not been available.”
NHTSA complaint #11676814, 2025

“the passenger restraint system malfunction error came out several times since last month.”
NHTSA complaint #11633002, 2024

“I have reached out to the manufacturer for a solution and they said to wait till there is a remedy. I’m scared to drive this car for fear that something could happen to me or my family.”
NHTSA complaint #11626359, 2024

Service Brakes 10 6 crash

“WHILE BRAKING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO A STOP BEHIND TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT, AFTER COMING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND TO ADDED PRESSURE APPLIED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BMW X3 KEPT MOVING FORWARD, AND COLLIDED, AT VERY SLOW SPEED, WITH THE STOPPED VEHICLE AHEAD. I QUICKLY CHECKED TO ENSURE THAT MY FOOT WAS PROPERLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND DEPRESSED THE PEDAL AGAIN, WHICH AGAIN FAILED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, RESULTING IN SECONDARY CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE AHEAD. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ELECTRONI…”
NHTSA complaint #11057745, 2017 · crash

“2016 BMW X3 XDRIVE28 I I PULLED INTO A FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET FROM THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. MY CAR "LEAPT " INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, THEN CAREENED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CAR ACCELERATED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT BOTH AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I AM SURE THAT I DID NOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR BY ACCIDENT. AT THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE GARAGE I COULD NOT HAVE ACCELERATED TO CAUSE SUCH A VIOLENT CRASH THAT DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. MY CAR WAS DECLARED A " TOTAL LOSS ". THIS WAS ONE OF THE MORE FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE. IT ALL HAPPENED IN A SPLIT SECON…”
NHTSA complaint #11035564, 2017 · crash

“I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY THEN TURNED LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE BUT JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AT GREAT SPEED, LEAPT OVER A CONCRETE "LOG" DESIGNED TO STOP A VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL 3 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO LIFT MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL THINKING I HAD DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR IN ERROR, HOWEVER THE CAR INCREASED SPEED AND I JUST HAD TIME TO GLANCE DOWN AND ASCERTAIN THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE BEFORE THE CAR PLOWED INTO THE WALL, DEPLOYING THE AIR BAGS. TH…”
NHTSA complaint #10991289, 2017 · crash

Power Train 9

“While driving on a two-lane 40 MPH road in the left lane the vehicle suddenly lost power, stopped in traffic, and displayed a transmission warning message. Multiple warning lights were "on" and the car would not restart. Additionally, the vehicle would not come out of "Park." Occupants needed to await police who stopped traffic in order for occupants to be able to exit the vehicle safely. The vehicle was towed to BMW of Atlantic City located at [XXX]. Technician found ground missing at EGS, inspected ground strap on transmission and found it severely corroded. Technician replaced ground s…”
NHTSA complaint #11751025, 2026

“The low-pressure fuel temperature/pressure sensor failed internally, causing diesel fuel to intrude via capillary action into the engine wiring harness and ultimately contaminate the Digital Diesel Electronics (DDE) control unit (ECU). The failed components (sensor, harness, DDE) are available for inspection upon request at BMW of Loveland, CO. My safety was put at risk in two primary ways: Engine Stalling Risk: The DDE is the engine control unit. As the fuel contaminated the electrical connections, the engine's reliability was compromised, creating a significant risk of sudden engine stalli…”
NHTSA complaint #11700103, 2025

“* in 2018, the car started automatically going into Park when the engine is running but at a stop (e.g. Stop light). This created a safety issue because the gear had to be reengaged into Drive * It was repaired under warranty by BMW * It started reoccuring this year. We have stopped driving it because it creates a safety issue * BMW has refused to fix this (though it was previously addressed under warranty). In addition, they have said it may cost thousands or 10's of thousands of dollars to fix because they do not know the problem (could be camshaft sensor or mechatronics or something else).…”
NHTSA complaint #11674036, 2025

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Fuel System 6

“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled with the drive train warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure and the pressure-regulating valves needed to be replaced. The high-pressure fuel pump was replaced three times. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); however, the VIN wa…”
NHTSA complaint #11747803, 2026

“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 55,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11654489, 2024

“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Drive Train Malfunction" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler needed to be replaced but confirmed that parts were not yet available.…”
NHTSA complaint #11487594, 2022

Seat Belts 6 2 injury

“MY 8-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS SITTING ON REAR PASSENGER SIZE SEAT ON A BOOSTER SEAT WITH SEAT BELT ON. SHE FIRST PLAYED WITH MY SON WHO WAS SITTING ON A READ DRIVER SEAT ON A CAR SEAT. THEN SHE FELL ASLEEP. IN THIS PROCESS THE SEAT BELT SOME HOW GOT WRAPPED AROUND HER. WHEN WE STOPPED FOR A BATHROOM BREAK WE UNBUCKLED THE BELT TO FIND OUT THAT THE BELT WAS WRAPPED AROUND HERE AND WE COULD NOT UNWRAP IT. THE MORE WE TRIED TO PULL OUT THE MORE TIGHTER IT GOT. SHE WAS IN SEVERE PAIN. WE HAD TO BORROW A SCISSOR FROM THE GAS STATION TO CUT THE BELT.SEE THE PIC WITH THE SCAR. SHE WAS IN PAIN FOR NEXT F…”
NHTSA complaint #11291909, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

“SEATBELT PRETENSIONER FAILING TO HOLDBACK PASSENGER ON DECCELLERATION ON EXIT RAMP AT 4 DEGREES INCLINE OR DECLINE FROM 65 TO ZERO ON CONTROLLED DECCELERATION”
NHTSA complaint #10905931, 2016 · 1 injury(ies)

“the passenger restraint system malfunction error came out several times since last month.”
NHTSA complaint #11633002, 2024

Air Bags 4 2 crash

“2016 BMW X3 XDRIVE28 I I PULLED INTO A FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET FROM THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. MY CAR "LEAPT " INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, THEN CAREENED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CAR ACCELERATED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT BOTH AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I AM SURE THAT I DID NOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR BY ACCIDENT. AT THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE GARAGE I COULD NOT HAVE ACCELERATED TO CAUSE SUCH A VIOLENT CRASH THAT DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. MY CAR WAS DECLARED A " TOTAL LOSS ". THIS WAS ONE OF THE MORE FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE. IT ALL HAPPENED IN A SPLIT SECON…”
NHTSA complaint #11035564, 2017 · crash

“I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY THEN TURNED LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE BUT JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AT GREAT SPEED, LEAPT OVER A CONCRETE "LOG" DESIGNED TO STOP A VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL 3 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO LIFT MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL THINKING I HAD DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR IN ERROR, HOWEVER THE CAR INCREASED SPEED AND I JUST HAD TIME TO GLANCE DOWN AND ASCERTAIN THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE BEFORE THE CAR PLOWED INTO THE WALL, DEPLOYING THE AIR BAGS. TH…”
NHTSA complaint #10991289, 2017 · crash

“the passenger restraint system malfunction error came out several times since last month.”
NHTSA complaint #11633002, 2024

Fuel/Propulsion System 4 1 fire

“ON 8/30/20,AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR AFTER A LONG DRIVE, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED DOWN TWO ADJACENT HOMES. THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR AN HOUR BEFORE IT STARTED TO BURN.”
NHTSA complaint #11354903, 2020 · fire

“The low-pressure fuel temperature/pressure sensor failed internally, causing diesel fuel to intrude via capillary action into the engine wiring harness and ultimately contaminate the Digital Diesel Electronics (DDE) control unit (ECU). The failed components (sensor, harness, DDE) are available for inspection upon request at BMW of Loveland, CO. My safety was put at risk in two primary ways: Engine Stalling Risk: The DDE is the engine control unit. As the fuel contaminated the electrical connections, the engine's reliability was compromised, creating a significant risk of sudden engine stalli…”
NHTSA complaint #11700103, 2025

“BMW has failed to issue a remedy for the COOLANT PUMP that may lead to fires, if not replaced. For months now, I have called several BMW dealerships and they do not have an idea of when BMW would issue a remedy. BMW needs a push from the NHTSA to address this recall instead of looking to the other side because the car's date is 2016. If they cannot fix that hazard, then they must replace vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11632546, 2024

Vehicle Speed Control 4 1 crash

“I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY THEN TURNED LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE BUT JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AT GREAT SPEED, LEAPT OVER A CONCRETE "LOG" DESIGNED TO STOP A VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL 3 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO LIFT MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL THINKING I HAD DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR IN ERROR, HOWEVER THE CAR INCREASED SPEED AND I JUST HAD TIME TO GLANCE DOWN AND ASCERTAIN THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE BEFORE THE CAR PLOWED INTO THE WALL, DEPLOYING THE AIR BAGS. TH…”
NHTSA complaint #10991289, 2017 · crash

“A VERY DANGEROUS AND CATASTROPHIC SITUATION IS CREATED WHEN USING THE START/STOP FEATURE. WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOPPED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY THIS FEATURE FAILS. ONCE THIS FEATURE IS ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PUSHED TO START AGAIN THE VEHICLE GOES INTO PARK INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING. THIS PRESENTS A VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC SITUATION BECAUSE YOU MAY BE MAKING A MANEUVER BY ACCELERATION TO SWITCH LANES OR SOMETHING SIMILAR AND THE CAR FAILS AND GOES INTO PARK AND DOES NOT MOVE. PERILLO BMW PERFORMED UNSUCCESSFUL SER…”
NHTSA complaint #11129955, 2018

“2016 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND EPISODES OF STEERING WHEEL BRIEFLY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND STOPPED WITH THE DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10862862, 2016

Steering 3

“The contact owns a 2016 BMX X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The RPM was elevated; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with Electronic Power Steering Control Unit failure. The contact was informed that the Electronic Power Steering Control Unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The c…”
NHTSA complaint #11715533, 2026

“WHILE APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT, BRAKED, THEN WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE TOTALLY SHUTDOWN AND STOPPED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, WHICH COULD HAVE KILLED BOTH OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. UPON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL NOR COULD THE PARKING BRAKE BE DISENGAGED SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE PUSHED OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OF…”
NHTSA complaint #11145186, 2018

“2016 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND EPISODES OF STEERING WHEEL BRIEFLY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND STOPPED WITH THE DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10862862, 2016

Structure 2 1 crash

“2016 BMW X3 XDRIVE28 I I PULLED INTO A FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET FROM THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. MY CAR "LEAPT " INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, THEN CAREENED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CAR ACCELERATED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT BOTH AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I AM SURE THAT I DID NOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR BY ACCIDENT. AT THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE GARAGE I COULD NOT HAVE ACCELERATED TO CAUSE SUCH A VIOLENT CRASH THAT DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. MY CAR WAS DECLARED A " TOTAL LOSS ". THIS WAS ONE OF THE MORE FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE. IT ALL HAPPENED IN A SPLIT SECON…”
NHTSA complaint #11035564, 2017 · crash

“The liftgate opened while the car was being driven down the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11536361, 2023

Tires 2

“BMW TECH LOOKED TIRES OVER AND FOUND REAR TIRES WORN THROUGH INNER EDGE TO THE POINT THAT IT APPEARS ONLY THE INNER LAYER OF RUBBER IS HOLDING THE TIRE TOGETHER. FULL SEPARATION BETWEEN THE SIDEWALL AND FACE OF THE TIRE ON BOTH REAR TIRES IN SOME SPOTS. REAR TIRES ARE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE USED ON THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY UNTIL REPLACED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES AND THE REST OF THE TIRE HAS TREAD. WE FEEL THIS IS WELL BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND IT APPEARS THAT IS A DEFECT. I'VE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE 2 REAR TIRES.”
NHTSA complaint #11082125, 2018

“TIRE IS A RUN FLAT TYPE OF TIRE AND THE WEAR OF ALL FOUR TIRES WAS SEVERE ON THE INSIDE OF TIRE WHILE TREAD ACROSS THE REST OF THE TIRE WAS STILL SATISFACTORY. REAR TIRE TREAD STARTED SEPARATING AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE TREAD SEPARATION. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE TIRE AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THIS TO BE A "COMMON" PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.”
NHTSA complaint #11032860, 2017

Wheels 2

“VALVE STEM BODY FAILED DURING TIRE INFLATION. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO INFLATE TIRE TO SPEC. POSSIBLE RAPID AIR PRESSURE LOSS WHILE DRIVING. BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER EXISTING MANUFACTURED WARRANTY.”
NHTSA complaint #11183058, 2019

“TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SIGNALS LOW AIR PRESSURE EVERY WEEK ON INSTRUMENTATION. RUN-FLAT TIRES LOSE AIR WEEKLY. TIRE HAS TO BE TOPPED-UP WITH AIR THEN TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR TEST PERFORMED. OWNED VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY, 2016 AND FREQUENT, ANNOYING, EMBARRASING TIRE AIR FILLING HAS TO BE DONE WEEKLY.”
NHTSA complaint #10908077, 2016

Exterior Lighting 1

“BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE CRACKING AND PITTED ON THE INSIDE OF THE LENSES. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE 2ND TIME AT THE DEALER THEY HAD A REGIONAL TECH MANAGER CHECK THE HEADLIGHTS.THE CONCLUSION HE CAME TO IS THAT THE PITTING AND CRACKING IS ON THE OUTSIDE AND THEREFORE NOT A DEFECT. WELL, A CHILD COULD SEE AND TELL, EVEN BY TOUCHING THE FACE OF THE HEADLIGHTS THAT THIS IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AT NIGHT, AS WELL AS A CLEAR MATERIALS DEFECT. I BELIEVE THAT BMW DOES KNOW T…”
NHTSA complaint #10970858, 2017

Firerelated 1 1 fire

“The contact owned a 2016 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the dealer had previously performed an engine inspection and pressure test for the coolant system due to coolant loss with the low coolant warning light illuminated. The contact had added a quart of coolant. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with a loss of power warning message displayed. The contact's wife was a…”
NHTSA complaint #11479331, 2022 · fire

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 2016 BMW X3 draws about 7.5 complaints per year on the road, ranking 8 of 10 among the BMW X3 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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