NHTSA lists 112 complaints for the 2011 BMW X3, 3 of them mention a crash and 3 mention a fire. 1 complaints mention an injury, with 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW X3.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2023-10-20. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2017-10-30. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Defect: 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: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-05-23. Systems: CHILD SEAT.
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower a (excerpt)
Consequence: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2011-06-29. Systems: STEERING.
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 27, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2011. A CONTROL MODULE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) UNIT MAY MALFUNCTION, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.
Consequence: SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
360 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 114 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 103 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 48 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 42 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 27 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 22 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 21 |
|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 15 |
|---|
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
10238090
Date: 2023-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
10235205
Date: 2023-03-01. 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 the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to
10230717
Date: 2022-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.
10227568
Date: 2022-10-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION, LANE DEPARTURE, SEATS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be illuminated when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code "930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. Or 2. ACSM fault code "93
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.