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2019 BMW X3 Problems & Owner Complaints

165 NHTSA owner complaints
5 crash 1 fire 3 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~20.6 complaints per year on the road — ranking 1 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 2019 BMW X3, cited in 46 of 165 filed complaints (28%).

Engine is next (31 complaints, 19%), followed by Structure (31), Forward Collision Avoidance (12), Service Brakes (12).

Across all complaints, 5 report a crash, 1 report a fire, 3 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Electrical System: 3 crash, 2 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2019 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 165.

Electrical System 46 3 crash 2 injury

“My digital gauges were frequently going off center in my vehicle. I scheduled service with the dealer however they did not have a loaner available for weeks so they scheduled the appointment for a few weeks out, my car subsequently completely died on the road and after a minute or two I was rear ended by a truck and the car was completely totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11459758, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“AUTOMATIC BRAKING SPONTANEOUSLY ACTIVATED WITHOUT CAUSE. HAPPENED 2 TIMES. MOST RECENT INCIDENT CAUSED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THIS IS A FULL STOP FROM APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH”
NHTSA complaint #11268819, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

“The TCB Module and Antenna failed due to a water leak through the sealed roof mounted "Shark Fin" Antenna on top of my vehicle. The vehicle is not completely safe to drive due to the failure of the TCB Module in which the Module activates the "Intelligent Emergency Call" in the case of an accident. Crash and airbag sensors activate an emergency call to the BMW call center in the process, a set of relevant data such as how many passengers and their presumed condition or injury as well as the exact position of the my vehicle is sent automatically to the BMW call center and the nearest emergency…”
NHTSA complaint #11627239, 2024 · crash

Unknown Or Other 42 1 crash 1 fire

“**Description of Incident** On **July 25, 2026**, I parked my 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i in a parking lot and turned the engine off. The vehicle was shifted into Park, locked, and I walked into a nearby store. At approximately 6:41 p.m., I received the update on my phone confirming that my vehicle had been locked. I remained inside the store for approximately six minutes. My purchase transaction was completed at approximately 6:47 p.m., at which time I immediately exited the store. When I returned to the parking lot, I found my vehicle fully engulfed in flames, not merely smoking. The fire had…”
NHTSA complaint #11752961, 2026 · fire

“We were towing a rental travel trailer (~3500 Ib), going east bound on highway 80 near Martinez, CA. The travel trailer suddenly went into oscillation, the amplitude got larger and larger, and finally both SUV and trailer landed on the sides on the embankment. The SUV was supposedly in "tow" mode, so the feature "Trailer Stabilization Control" should have been activated to reduce the sway/oscillation (and perhaps issued some warnings). However, we only got traction control alarm just prior to the crash.”
NHTSA complaint #11491196, 2022 · crash

“I bought my 2019 BMW X3 late 2025 before Christmas. The Carfax was fine and there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had been serviced regularly at BMW facilities. Our family mechanic looked at the vehicle before I bought it and performed some basic diagnostics. The vehicle appeared fine. There were no error codes and all of the fluids were topped off. I don't know if the issues with the coolant were there before I purchased the vehicle or if they happened afterwards. There were no warning lights and everything looked good. This car is garage kept and is used a couple of times a…”
NHTSA complaint #11748660, 2026

Engine 31 1 crash

“Subject: Rear Differential Mount Failure and Driveshaft Breakage — Sudden Loss of Vehicle Control at Highway Speed Complaint Summary: While driving at highway speed, I experienced a sudden and extremely loud bang from the rear of the vehicle. Immediately afterward, I lost complete control of the rear end, accompanied by violent clanking and grinding noises from the driveline area. The gearbox then stalled, leaving the vehicle disabled in the middle of the highway. Upon inspection, it was determined that a rear differential mounting bolt had sheared, causing the differential to shift violentl…”
NHTSA complaint #11695243, 2025 · crash

“I bought my 2019 BMW X3 late 2025 before Christmas. The Carfax was fine and there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had been serviced regularly at BMW facilities. Our family mechanic looked at the vehicle before I bought it and performed some basic diagnostics. The vehicle appeared fine. There were no error codes and all of the fluids were topped off. I don't know if the issues with the coolant were there before I purchased the vehicle or if they happened afterwards. There were no warning lights and everything looked good. This car is garage kept and is used a couple of times a…”
NHTSA complaint #11748660, 2026

“My 2019 BMW X3 equipped with a B46 engine developed a significant coolant leak at approximately 80,000 miles. The vehicle displayed a low coolant warning, and coolant was visibly leaking underneath the vehicle. Around the same time, I began noticing excessive white exhaust/steam during cold starts and, for the first time since owning the vehicle, had to add engine oil between scheduled oil changes. The vehicle is currently undergoing inspection by an independent repair facility. Preliminary findings indicate concerns involving premature failure of critical plastic cooling system and/or oil fi…”
NHTSA complaint #11739354, 2026

Structure 31

“While driving our BMW 2019 X3 on the highway, other drivers honked to get my attention that our vehicle's rear hatch was partially open. When we came to a stop light, I had my son riding in the passenger seat press the hatch button on the key fob to close the hatch. Instead this fully opened the back hatch. We continued pressing the fob button in an attempt to get the hatch to close without having to exit the vehicle. Rather than exit the vechicle in the middle of the roadway, we drove about 50 yards until we could pull over safely. A motorcyclist had been following us, and came up behind…”
NHTSA complaint #11740123, 2026

“2019 BMW X3 with operable sunroof. Significant leakage occurred in front and rear of car risking electrical failure and therefore accident. Dealer denies that this is a problem and Bmw takes no responsibility for what is a hidden defect of the drainage system for the sunroof. Hundreds of individuals have the same exact problem. Hundreds are automatically denied any assistance or responsibility by dealer or manufacture. In a prior claim, it appears that Bmw lost and was found guilty of concealment of a manufacturers defect and was instructed to pay $500 million to plaintiff. Examination of…”
NHTSA complaint #11702247, 2025

“Regarding SIB 65 12 22, NHTSA ID Number 10227571, Manufacturer Communication Number B651222. Summary: The seal of the roof-mounted antenna housing is separating from the vehicle. Affected Products: (20) Vehicle BMW X3 2018-2022 - BMW X4 2019-2022 - BMW X5 2019-2022 - BMW X6 2020-2022 - BMW X7 2019-2022 I would like to mention that, this issue was known by BMW and acknowledge as Painting Process Deffect, BMW havent release a recall. BMW released on oct 2022 a BMW Service Information Bulletin detailing a defect in the paint and sealant of the roof-mounted antenna housing, which can allow water…”
NHTSA complaint #11686559, 2025

Forward Collision Avoidance 12 1 injury

“At some point in June 2025, between approximately 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., I was driving southbound on the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles, just south of the 134 interchange, at approximately 45 mph. Traffic was light, with no vehicles in front of me and no vehicles attempting to merge into my lane. Without warning, a bright red alert appeared on the dashboard of my 2019 BMW x3 and the vehicle suddenly applied full braking. The position of my arms at that moment caused an injury to my right elbow, which has remained painful since the incident. In January 2026, under nearly identical circumstances, the…”
NHTSA complaint #11710937, 2025 · 1 injury(ies)

“hello I am formally reporting: Safety‑Critical Failures and Applicable Federal Requirements the attached 2019 BMW X3 – VIN [XXX] 1. Rearview Camera Failure Federal Requirement: FMVSS 111 – Rear Visibility Relevant Obligations: - Rearview image must activate automatically when shifting into reverse. - System must provide a minimum field of view. - System must function reliably under normal operating conditions. Failure: The rearview camera failed completely, resulting in loss of federally required rear visibility. 2. Emergency Call (eCall) System Malfunction Federal Requirement: 49 CF…”
NHTSA complaint #11723606, 2025

“Beginning in July–August 2025, my 2019 BMW X3 (VIN [XXX] ) began experiencing multiple safety‑critical system failures affecting federally regulated components. The rearview camera intermittently failed to activate and later stopped functioning entirely, resulting in loss of rear visibility required under FMVSS 111. The Emergency Call (eCall) system displayed repeated malfunction warnings, indicating loss of automatic crash notification capability. The vehicle also displayed “Driver Assistance Restricted,” “Collision Warning Malfunction,” and pedestrian detection failure messages, showing that…”
NHTSA complaint #11717547, 2025

Service Brakes 12 2 injury

“At some point in June 2025, between approximately 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., I was driving southbound on the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles, just south of the 134 interchange, at approximately 45 mph. Traffic was light, with no vehicles in front of me and no vehicles attempting to merge into my lane. Without warning, a bright red alert appeared on the dashboard of my 2019 BMW x3 and the vehicle suddenly applied full braking. The position of my arms at that moment caused an injury to my right elbow, which has remained painful since the incident. In January 2026, under nearly identical circumstances, the…”
NHTSA complaint #11710937, 2025 · 1 injury(ies)

“AUTOMATIC BRAKING SPONTANEOUSLY ACTIVATED WITHOUT CAUSE. HAPPENED 2 TIMES. MOST RECENT INCIDENT CAUSED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND ALMOST CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THIS IS A FULL STOP FROM APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH”
NHTSA complaint #11268819, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

“Rear caliper locking up when in reverse. Knocking noise and crunching sound.”
NHTSA complaint #11740195, 2026

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Power Train 7 1 crash 1 injury

“My digital gauges were frequently going off center in my vehicle. I scheduled service with the dealer however they did not have a loaner available for weeks so they scheduled the appointment for a few weeks out, my car subsequently completely died on the road and after a minute or two I was rear ended by a truck and the car was completely totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11459758, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“My 2019 BMW X3 equipped with a B46 engine developed a significant coolant leak at approximately 80,000 miles. The vehicle displayed a low coolant warning, and coolant was visibly leaking underneath the vehicle. Around the same time, I began noticing excessive white exhaust/steam during cold starts and, for the first time since owning the vehicle, had to add engine oil between scheduled oil changes. The vehicle is currently undergoing inspection by an independent repair facility. Preliminary findings indicate concerns involving premature failure of critical plastic cooling system and/or oil fi…”
NHTSA complaint #11739354, 2026

“Reporting a failure of the engine cooling system on my 2019 BMW X3 that developed over time despite repeated repair attempts and ultimately resulted in complete engine failure. Over the past year, the vehicle has experienced ongoing coolant loss and overheating warnings despite multiple coolant-related repairs. When the problem continued, I brought the vehicle to a BMW dealership, where the service department determined that the engine had suffered internal damage consistent with overheating and advised that a full engine replacement was required. These issues occurred during normal driving an…”
NHTSA complaint #11706120, 2025

Engine And Engine Cooling 6

“The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. The contact stated that the carbon monoxide detector sounded an alarm from the living room. The contact stated that her husband was unable to turn off the carbon monoxide alarm and called the Fire Department. The Fire Department arrived and determined that the vehicle, which had been parked in the garage of the residence, had experienced a thermal event in the engine compartment. The contact was advised that heat had generated carbon monoxide gas that had spread from the garage into an attic crawl space and then into the living room of the residence which had se…”
NHTSA complaint #11643303, 2025

“The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. The coolant level low message was displayed. The contact stated that the temperature gauge was raised to HOT. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an engine cooling failure The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11643349, 2025

“The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH on a main road, the message "Warning - Add Coolant' was displayed, and the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and allowed the engine to cool down. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed due to coolant intrusion. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notifie…”
NHTSA complaint #11652161, 2024

Exterior Lighting 6

“My lights turn on and off while the vehicle is turned off until I lock the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11672446, 2025

“Headlights cycle on and off. Does this frequently. Checked on BMW site Bimmerpost and other people have had the same problem. Google 2019 BMW x3 headlights tuning off and on after shut down.”
NHTSA complaint #11621499, 2024

“Headlights flash on and off for no apparent reason which is distracting to other drivers both in front of me or approaching my vehicle. This has happened dozens of times now most recently 4/19/24 but I first noticed it more than a year ago. Headlights also go on and off and start to self level multiple times after car has been turned off. This has happend on a number of occasions as well. Normally the rotary light switch is always set in the AUTO position in my car .”
NHTSA complaint #11584200, 2024

Back Over Prevention 5

“hello I am formally reporting: Safety‑Critical Failures and Applicable Federal Requirements the attached 2019 BMW X3 – VIN [XXX] 1. Rearview Camera Failure Federal Requirement: FMVSS 111 – Rear Visibility Relevant Obligations: - Rearview image must activate automatically when shifting into reverse. - System must provide a minimum field of view. - System must function reliably under normal operating conditions. Failure: The rearview camera failed completely, resulting in loss of federally required rear visibility. 2. Emergency Call (eCall) System Malfunction Federal Requirement: 49 CF…”
NHTSA complaint #11723606, 2025

“- Frontal Collision warning, Pedestrian warning - yes because safety features were shut off, back up camera doesn't work as well - yes - yes”
NHTSA complaint #11712814, 2025

“Starting in July/August 2025, my 2019 BMW X3 (G01) suffered a total failure of multiple safety-critical systems, including the Emergency Call (eCall) system, the rearview camera, and frontal collision/pedestrian alert sensors. These failures were accompanied by a persistent "Emergency Call System Malfunction" warning on the dashboard. BMW Service Information Bulletin SIB 65 12 22 acknowledges a manufacturing defect where the roof-mounted antenna housing seal was "not optimal," leading to water ingress. This water ingress has damaged the Telematics Control Unit (TCB), which manages these safety…”
NHTSA complaint #11711955, 2025

Air Bags 4

“The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed while the front passenger’s side seat was being occupied, the message "Front Passenger’s Restraint System Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front passenger’s side seat mat detection sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,500.”
NHTSA complaint #11672529, 2025

“1- Passenger Restraint System Malfunction error codes- related to wiring or front passenger seat- long timeframe and expense to diagnose 2- Engine mounts broken Oct 2023 and again Aug 2025- known issue by BMW service- high repair cost & repeat failure 3- Front crash assist will brake for shadows caused by trees or adjacent trucks and has nearly caused accidents”
NHTSA complaint #11689994, 2024

“With only 41,289 miles, "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" notification came on soon after the car was started. BMW dealer advised that it was due to faulty knee airbag module on driver side (fault code 930949-short circuit to ground). The wiring harness going to the knee airbag may have been rubbing against the support tube of the instrument panel. Cost to fix is parts $1,288 and labor $1,282. Total cost not covered by BMW since the car is few months over 4 years old. This wiring faulty seems to be a major concerns for owners as this relates to electrical quality control and should be a re…”
NHTSA complaint #11593246, 2024

Vehicle Speed Control 4 2 crash

“Subject: Rear Differential Mount Failure and Driveshaft Breakage — Sudden Loss of Vehicle Control at Highway Speed Complaint Summary: While driving at highway speed, I experienced a sudden and extremely loud bang from the rear of the vehicle. Immediately afterward, I lost complete control of the rear end, accompanied by violent clanking and grinding noises from the driveline area. The gearbox then stalled, leaving the vehicle disabled in the middle of the highway. Upon inspection, it was determined that a rear differential mounting bolt had sheared, causing the differential to shift violentl…”
NHTSA complaint #11695243, 2025 · crash

“On May 20, 2022 at around 10 AM. I pulled into my work parking lot. I proceeded to park the car in front of the main building. I put the car on park but the car accelerated on its own at high speed. It curved around the bushes yanking them out and then smashed into the building. The airbags opened. I called 911 for help. Ambulance took me to a hospital nearby. I lost a lot of blood due to a large cut in my mouth. I had some other minor injuries including a fracture in my sternum and nose.”
NHTSA complaint #11472104, 2022 · crash

“THE SPEEDOMETER IS INACCURATE. BMW TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE A DIRECTIVE WHICH STATES THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR A SPEEDOMETER TO BE OFF BY UP TO 7MPH. THEY TOLD ME IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RECALIBRATE. I DO NOT KNOW MY TRUE SPEED WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KNOW IF I AM DRIVING WITHIN POSTED LIMITS. IT ALSO ADDS FALSE MILEAGE TO MY VEHICLE AS IT ALWAYS INDICATES A SPEED HIGHER THAN I AM ACTUALLY MAINTAINING.”
NHTSA complaint #11338358, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 3

“THE CAR HAS A WARNING SYSTEM THAT HAS A PROXMITY SYSTEM. THE CAR AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH BRAKES WHILE DRIVING INDICATING A CAR OR OBSTICLE IN FRONT OF ME. NOTHING HAS BEEN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE THE CAR SELF BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT MUST OF BEEN DUE TO FOG. WITH THE REPEATED PROBLEM NO FOG OR BAD WEATHER EXISTED.”
NHTSA complaint #11288012, 2019

“WHILE REVERSING OUR CAR IN OUR GARAGE, THE CAR TRUNK POP OPEN AND HIT OUR GARAGE ROOF CREATING SCRATCHES AND PEELED PAINT ON THE TRUNK LID.”
NHTSA complaint #11244804, 2019

“PROBLEM IS MORE NOTICEABLE DRIVING AT 80MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE VEER LEFT AND RIGHT AND CONSTANT VERY SMALL TURNINGS NEED TO BE APPLIED TO KEEP CAR CENTERED, MUCH MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN PASSING BETWEEN TWO TRUCKS OR WHEN MODERATE WIND IS ENCOUNTERED. TOOK TO THE DEALER, THEY DROVE THE CAR AND MECHANIC STATED NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND. HOWEVER, I NEVER HAD THIS SAME PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER SUV I OWNED IN THE PAST. IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE THIS IS OCCURRING.”
NHTSA complaint #11210576, 2019

Fuel/Propulsion System 3

“I'm reporting a safety issue with BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 engine, primarily 2019-2021 models. These vehicles have an oil pump with an internal plastic component that regulates oil pressure, and this part is fracturing in the field, causing sudden loss of oil pressure. The failure typically occurs during cold starts in low temperatures. When it fails, oil pressure becomes erratic or is lost entirely, often with little to no warning before engine damage or vehicle disablement. Warning signs, when present, include inability to measure oil level electronically, abnormal oil pressure, or…”
NHTSA complaint #11735215, 2026

“On returning to my locked vehicle that had been in the parking ramp for 3 days, I started the car and the display message indicated that my vehicle was completely out of gas and the oil was very low. The vehicle had nearly a full tank of gas when it was parked. The vehicle was towed to the dealership who assessed the vehicle. The service department indicated that the vehicle likely did not sound like it was running because of the idle feature, and as such, I may have thought I shut off the car, but that eventually the idle feature turned off, and the vehicle ran while it was locked until it…”
NHTSA complaint #11713799, 2026

“I am reporting repeated coolant system failures and overheating on my 2019 BMW X3 . I have had 4 coolant-related repairs in under 3 years, including the coolant reservoir boiling after service. Most recently, the problem recurred despite prior repairs. This is a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle with warranty history, and I believe this is a systemic engine/cooling defect that poses a risk of engine failure or fire. Other owners may be affected. A recall or investigation is warranted.”
NHTSA complaint #11702650, 2024

Visibility/Wiper 3

“Beginning in July–August 2025, my 2019 BMW X3 (VIN [XXX] ) began experiencing multiple safety‑critical system failures affecting federally regulated components. The rearview camera intermittently failed to activate and later stopped functioning entirely, resulting in loss of rear visibility required under FMVSS 111. The Emergency Call (eCall) system displayed repeated malfunction warnings, indicating loss of automatic crash notification capability. The vehicle also displayed “Driver Assistance Restricted,” “Collision Warning Malfunction,” and pedestrian detection failure messages, showing that…”
NHTSA complaint #11717547, 2025

“While driving normally down interstate the sunroof suddenly exploded.”
NHTSA complaint #11522601, 2023

“WHEN DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY ON OCCASION THE SUN IS REFLECTED FROM THE HEAD UP DISPLAY UNIT INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES OR FIELD OF VISION CAUSING A DISTRACTION AND DIFFICULTY SEEING THE TRAFFIC AHEAD. THE ATTACHED PICTURE WAS TAKEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY, BUT TYPICAL OF THE EVENT WHEN DRIVING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE SUN REFLECTION IS SHOWN BOTH AT THE HEAD UP UNIT AND ON THE WINDSHIELD (POSITIONED NEAR THE FRONT OF THE HOOD BETWEEN THE ACTUAL HEAD UP DISPLAY AND THE HEAD UP UNIT) HEADING TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S HEAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS OVER THE LAS…”
NHTSA complaint #11182646, 2019

Seat Belts 2

“The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt warning light illuminated. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality however, the failure had become a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 36,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11538858, 2023

“While driving, an error message appeared on the car screen that said: Passenger restraint system malfunction: Contact BMW Carefully drive to the closest service center. Passenger restraint system is limited. Increased risk of injury in case of a collision. Continue wearing safety belt. 1) What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Passenger restraint system 2) How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Increased risk of injury in case of collision 3) Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independen…”
NHTSA complaint #11481066, 2022

Visibility 2

“The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving approximately 46 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the roof of the vehicle. The following day the contact discovered that the glass sunroof had exploded and there was a hole in the sunroof glass. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that during the failure, the temperature was extremely cold and the heater inside the cabin of the vehicle was activated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11635299, 2025

“The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at 42 MPH, the sunroof exploded without impact. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,578.”
NHTSA complaint #11505345, 2023

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“THE TAILGATE OPENED BY ITSELF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD A SHORT LOCAL DRIVING BEFORE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. ABOUT 5 MINS IN THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 60 MPH, THE TAILGATE OPENED BY ITSELF. THE CAR FELT VERY NOISY AND HARD TO CONTROL (I WAS ON A WINDY HIGHWAY). I HAD TO EXIST THE HIGHWAY, STOP ON A LOCAL STREET, AND CLOSE THE TRUNK. THE SAME RANDOM OPENING ALSO HAPPENED ONCE IN MY GARAGE WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND LOCKED, A WEEK AGO. WITH TWO RANDOM OPENING HAPPENED IN ONE WEEK, I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING IT. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE TAILGATE WILL SUDDENLY OPEN AGAIN.”
NHTSA complaint #11181661, 2019

Seats 1

“FIRST PROBLEM IS THAT ONE THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS MY REAR HATCH/TAILGATE HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE PARKED. EACH OF THE THREE TIMES THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND HAS HIT MY GARAGE DOOR CAUSING DAMAGE. WHILE IN THE GARAGE, MY KEYS WERE INSIDE THE HOUSE AND NO BUTTONS WERE PUSHED ON THE KEY FOB. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE TWICE NOW AND HAVE NOT HAD SUCCESS IN SOLVING THE ISSUE. SECOND PROBLEM IS THAT THE SEAT VENTILATION ON THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. EACH TIME THE FANS WITHIN THE SEAT THAT ACTIVATE TO PUSH AIR THROUGH THE VENTS SOUND LIKE THEY A…”
NHTSA complaint #11232884, 2019

Steering 1 1 crash

“Subject: Rear Differential Mount Failure and Driveshaft Breakage — Sudden Loss of Vehicle Control at Highway Speed Complaint Summary: While driving at highway speed, I experienced a sudden and extremely loud bang from the rear of the vehicle. Immediately afterward, I lost complete control of the rear end, accompanied by violent clanking and grinding noises from the driveline area. The gearbox then stalled, leaving the vehicle disabled in the middle of the highway. Upon inspection, it was determined that a rear differential mounting bolt had sheared, causing the differential to shift violentl…”
NHTSA complaint #11695243, 2025 · crash

Suspension 1

“I am reporting a manufacturing defect on BMW vehicles, specifically the 2019 BMW X3 with fewer than 40k miles. According to a vehicle inspection conducted at a BMW dealership on Saturday November 22, 2025, the motor mounts are collapsed. Potential risks are excessive engine vibrations that could cause loss of control while driving, to engine components to fall off the ground while driving. It’s dubious that BMW dealers “discovered “ this issue after the vehicle warranty expired. I request that the matter be investigated and order the manufacturer to extend coverage to a minimum of 120k miles o…”
NHTSA complaint #11701838, 2025

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 2019 BMW X3 draws about 20.6 complaints per year on the road, ranking 1 of 10 among the BMW X3 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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