NHTSA lists 103 complaints for the 2005 BMW X3, 4 of them mention a crash and 18 mention a fire. 17 complaints mention an injury, with 17 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-07.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW X3.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
1 recalls.
Date: 2008-08-05. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNIN (excerpt)
Consequence: IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. (excerpt)
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
2 investigations; 0 open.
EA08001
Opened: 2008-01-04. Closed: 2008-12-31.
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE O
Systems: AIR BAGS.
Linked campaign numbers: 08V384000.
PE07045
Opened: 2007-09-04. Closed: 2008-01-04.
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRIC
Systems: AIR BAGS.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
63 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 20 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 16 |
|---|
| AIR BAGS | 10 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 6 |
|---|
| VISIBILITY | 6 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 5 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 |
|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 |
|---|
10253326
Date: 2024-04-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard.
10249437
Date: 2024-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
10249027
Date: 2024-01-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle A A?A A A A discharged batteryA A?A A A A compl
10247574
Date: 2023-12-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEATS.
A noise can be heard from underneath the seat while the seat is being moved either forwards or backwards. This can occur to the driverA A?A A A A s and/or the passengerA A?A A A A s front seat.
10244239
Date: 2023-10-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY.
This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1. Wind noise 2. Excess water entry
10225114
Date: 2022-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY.
The front sunroof glass seal has shrunk, creating a gap which can cause wind noise or excess water entry.
10225126
Date: 2022-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
10224185
Date: 2022-08-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Leak Diagnosis Module with hose assembly (NVLD, shown) to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.
10224186
Date: 2022-08-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.
Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Radiator Grille Upper and Lower Active Air Flaps to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date. 1. Air
10218420
Date: 2022-07-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.
The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to a pro