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2008 BMW X3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 BMW X3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

27 reports with mileage · 39 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

66 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017. THE DEALER LEITH BMW (5603 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE R…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017. THE DEALER LEITH BMW (5603 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11081276

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2018
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE DEALER (BMW OF DEVON, 20 LANCASTER AVE, DEVON, PA 19333) COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE FOR WHEN…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE DEALER (BMW OF DEVON, 20 LANCASTER AVE, DEVON, PA 19333) COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE FOR WHEN THE REMEDY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11074319

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2018
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A LOCAL DEALER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR BOTH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11073250

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED TO CONFIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED TO CONFIRM PART AVAILABILITY AS THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT OWNERS WOULD RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11073157

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2018
Air BagsEngineSeats

SEAT OCCUPATION DETECTION MAT AND POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER. BOTH RECALLS BUT NO REMEDY SINCE SEPTEMBER 2017. DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY

NHTSA ODI #11073125

119,000 miles · Jan 16, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO BMW GALLERY OF NORWOOD LOCATED AT 918 BOSTON PROVIDENCE HWY, NORWOOD, MA TO GET NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) COMPLETED. UPON CHECKING THE PAPERWORK AFTER LEAVING THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO BMW GALLERY OF NORWOOD LOCATED AT 918 BOSTON PROVIDENCE HWY, NORWOOD, MA TO GET NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) COMPLETED. UPON CHECKING THE PAPERWORK AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THE RECALL HAD NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS UNABLE TO BE DONE DUE TO THEM NOT HAVING A RESOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT'S VIN NO LONGER SHOWED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO BMW'S SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #11063105

203,000 miles · Jan 8, 2018
SeatsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT TO THE CONTACT'S CLOTHES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS BEHIND, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT TO THE CONTACT'S CLOTHES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS BEHIND, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11061095

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2017
Air BagsSeatsUnknown Or Other

-TAKATA RECALL -FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT RECALL -POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER

NHTSA ODI #11054369

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2017
Air BagsEngine

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY AND PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE RECA…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY AND PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE RECALL NOTICES STATED THAT THE REMEDY AND PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED FOR MONTHS. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED (BMW OF FREEHOLD, 4225 U.S. 9, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728, (732) 410-6096), BUT THE CONTACT RELOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONCERNS PERTAINING TO THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11052231

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NO DEALERS IN AREA

NHTSA ODI #11042537

Official recalls

3

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17V683000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Oct 30, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17V605000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Sep 28, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.