← New search

2010 BMW X3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 BMW X3 are lower than the model-year median of 86.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all X3 years →

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

Limited mileage data: 17 of 32 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

32 reports
99,000 miles · Feb 22, 2019
Steering

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. …

Read full complaint

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 ODI #11181959

99,600 miles · Feb 12, 2019
Steering

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 BE…

Read full complaint

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 ODI #11176512

97,535 miles · Dec 12, 2018
Air Bags

I HAVE A RECALL ON PASSENGERS SEAT MAT REPLACE. HOW LONG DOES BMW HAVE TO REPLACE PART???CAR WAS CHECKED ON 5/31/2018 AND MAT ORDERED. AS OF TODAY 12/12/2018 THERE IS NO PART AND NO ONE CAN SEAT IN RIGHT FRONT SEATB UNTILL REPAIR IS MADE, THIS IS BS!!!!!! THAT IT IS TAKING THIS LONG AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A RECALL ON PASSENGERS SEAT MAT REPLACE. HOW LONG DOES BMW HAVE TO REPLACE PART???CAR WAS CHECKED ON 5/31/2018 AND MAT ORDERED. AS OF TODAY 12/12/2018 THERE IS NO PART AND NO ONE CAN SEAT IN RIGHT FRONT SEATB UNTILL REPAIR IS MADE, THIS IS BS!!!!!! THAT IT IS TAKING THIS LONG AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11161058

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2018
Air BagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND UNAB…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11155648

93,000 miles · Nov 21, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLICKERED. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF MANHATTAN (67 WALL ST, NEW YORK, NY, (212) 586-6464) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLICKERED. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF MANHATTAN (67 WALL ST, NEW YORK, NY, (212) 586-6464) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT REQUESTED A RENTAL VEHICLE, BUT THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11153127

100,000 miles · Nov 5, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BEVERLY HILLS BMW (5070 WILSHIRE BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90036, (877) 794-4678) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE REC…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BEVERLY HILLS BMW (5070 WILSHIRE BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90036, (877) 794-4678) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CUSTOMER NUMBER: 622363. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG, 4X4, AND BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT UPDATED 12/20/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11149489

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2018
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF DALLAS AT 972-763-5528 (LOCATED AT 6200 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF DALLAS AT 972-763-5528 (LOCATED AT 6200 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11103059

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA AIRBAG

NHTSA ODI #11039906

66,000 miles · Aug 20, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT LETTER.

NHTSA ODI #11016386

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER IN JUNE OF 2017. THE DEALER (ADVANTAGE BMW MIDTOWN, 1305 GRAY ST, HOUSTON, TX, 77002) WAS CONTACTED AT 713-28…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER IN JUNE OF 2017. THE DEALER (ADVANTAGE BMW MIDTOWN, 1305 GRAY ST, HOUSTON, TX, 77002) WAS CONTACTED AT 713-289-1200 ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED NOT TO CONTACT THEM ANY MORE AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM. THE DEALER ASKED THE CONTACT IF HE RECEIVED HIS SECONDARY LETTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY EMAIL, BUT HAD NOT YET REPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ..UPDATED 08/17/18 *BF UPDATED 12/1/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11011823

Official recalls

4

23V707000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Oct 20, 2023

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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.