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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 · Oct 3, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (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. PRINCETON BMW (3630 QUAKERBRIDGE RD, HAMIL…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (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. PRINCETON BMW (3630 QUAKERBRIDGE RD, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11031566

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). 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 CONTACT CALLED PETER PAN BMW AT 650-349-9077 AND INFORMED THE CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). 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 CONTACT CALLED PETER PAN BMW AT 650-349-9077 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11031492

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2017
Air Bags

TAHATA RECALL FOR 3 TIMES I HAVE GONE TO THE OFFICIAL SERVICE BMW AND NEVER HAVE THE PART THAT MUST REPLACE BY DEFAULT, SINCE 1 YEAR

NHTSA ODI #11030229

111,025 miles · Sep 26, 2017
Air Bags

SUMMARYDRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG: DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO RUPTURE. IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE MAY PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE THAT COULD

NHTSA ODI #11029896

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MARCH OF 2016. THE DEALER (BMW OF EL PASO, 6318 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX, 79925) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MARCH OF 2016. THE DEALER (BMW OF EL PASO, 6318 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX, 79925) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR AND WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN PARTS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11014180

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2017
Air Bags

"TAKATA RECALL" FOR AIR BAGS AND DUE TO THE LARGE VOLUME OF NEW IN-FLATORS NEEDED TO REPAIR VEHICLES, THE BMW DEALERSHIP IS NOT GIVING AN ETA OR PROVIDE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11013703

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE INITIAL NOTIFICATION IN THE SPRING OF 2016 AND THE FINAL REMEDY NOTIFICATION LETTER IN JUNE OF 2017. THE DEALER (WAGNER BMW OF SHREWSBURY…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE INITIAL NOTIFICATION IN THE SPRING OF 2016 AND THE FINAL REMEDY NOTIFICATION LETTER IN JUNE OF 2017. THE DEALER (WAGNER BMW OF SHREWSBURY 770 BOSTON TURNPIKE, SHREWSBURY, MA, 01545) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE, AND THEY WERE ONLY SERVICING 2007 MODELS CURRENTLY. THE CONTACT WOULD BE INFORMED WHEN IT WAS TIME TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11010939

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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. PASSPORT BMW OF SUITLAND, MARYLAND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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. PASSPORT BMW OF SUITLAND, MARYLAND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11010546

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR; 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. TH…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR; 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 CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (BMW SEATTLE, LOCATED AT 1002 AIRPORT WAY S, SEATTLE, WA, 98134) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE CONTACT FAXED OVER THE FINAL REMEDY LETTER HE RECEIVED, THEY WOULD ADD HIM TO THE LIST FOR WHEN PARTS ARRIVED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A FAX MACHINE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD EMAIL THE DEALER ON HIS BEHALF. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11003315

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). 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 DEALER WAS CONTACTED (AUTOPLEX BMW IN AMARILLO, T…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). 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 DEALER WAS CONTACTED (AUTOPLEX BMW IN AMARILLO, TEXAS) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11003177

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.