2008 Bmw X3 Sav problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (23) · Engine (5) · Seats (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X3 Sav model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
33 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2022-03-02 · campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SA
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing ow
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (36)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2024-04-04 · B410722 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the b-pillar(s) is heard.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: 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
Engine 2015-01-01 · SIB-16-16-14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: selective catalyst reduction module (scr) has a stored fault, pressure build up is low, causing service engine soon light to illuminate. *
Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/Low Beam Dimmer Switch 2014-10-01 · SIB-63-11-14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: on some vehicles, when starting, low beam, with 0552 option, would briefly flashes, due to a faulty led main light module that needs replacing. model 2008-14 f01, f02, f06, f07, f10, f12, f13, f25. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 36 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-04-20 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification · 78,000 mi“the passenger seat occupancy sensor is defective. this is part of the "seat mat", which is under recall. bmw sent an initial notice of recall in september of 2017. as of april 20, 2018 the parts are still not available to perform this recall. over 7 months! no one at the dealer or bmw usa can give us a straight answer as to when the parts will…”
2018-04-12 · Power Train · 83,000 mi“last week dash 4x4 light comes on a,udible rapid clicking sound comes from rear just after car is turned off...i brought the vehicle to west paterson motors in woodland park, nj for diagnostics. mechanic states computer codes indicate it's transfer case failure, and to replace it costs over $ 2,600.00 ! how does the vehicle such as bmw gets awa…”
2018-04-12 · Power Train · 68,995 mi“i have brought my vehicle to bloomfield nj dealership on several occasions in 2013, 2014, 2015 due to vehicles inability to shift gears swiftly, rmp going to 34,000 and transmission not shifting gears. i drive about 6,000miles per year sometimes less. all dealer would say "vehicle performs as designed"....or "unable to duplicate the problem". ar…”
2018-04-10 · Unknown Or Other“recall notification was received in nov 2017. dealer has yet to repair. is this length of delay acceptable?…”
2018-03-29 · Seats“i have 2 dangerous recalls. one-no one can sit in the passenger seat because the air bags may not deploy and the second, my engine can be on fire due to a pvc valve. bmw has no remedies and it has been over 4 months, this is unacceptable. someone has to put the pressure on bmw to get this fixed immediately. thank you [xxx] information redacted…”
2017-11-06 · Unknown Or Other“takata recall - i called east bay bmw and bmw of concord dealerships since receiving safety recall in june 2017 to make an appointment for the airbag recall service and i haven't received a call back regarding the parts arriving to the dealership. it is not november and i still haven't received a single phone call.…”
2017-06-04 · Visibility/Wiper“since purchase in 2013 from a dealer, with only 43000 mile changed battery twice at bmw peter pan, replaced power steering pump, window regulator, replaced starter , plus other services and window wipers are faulty, t-case actuator replaced, sway bar replaced, totaling $9531.38. i tried to complain to bmw corporation for selling a lemon car . pleas…”
2017-05-26 · Air Bags · 80,000 mi“nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 . almost a year and a half and still no resolution from bmw meanwhile we are at risk everyday. i would like to at least see a schedule for repair rather than them using attrition to mitigate their cost.…”
2017-05-12 · Engine“engine bolts are loose or have fallen out. …”
2017-04-04 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2008 bmw x3 sav. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not notified of the issue. one dealer stated that bmw had not…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.