2009 Bmw X3 Sav problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (7) · Seats (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X3 Sav model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
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 (33)
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 33 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-05-20 · Seats“received a safety recall notice in october 2017 and bmw has yet to have a remedy/solve for the issue. we are over 6 months since the recall and this is far past a reasonable amount of time to address a safety issue.…”
2017-05-17 · Air Bags“bmw sent letter 3/2016 about recall and continue to tell me that they do not have the parts for my cars recall.i have check several times during the last year locally and then another nearby dealership close by in another town. they said they would place me on a call list and that has been 7 mths ago. i feel like they are waiting for me to get rid …”
2017-01-25 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2009 bmw x3 sav. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). the parts to do the repairs were unavailable for the driver side air bag inflator. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified…”
2016-11-22 · Seats“nhtsa investigations pe07045 and ea08001 determined micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the front occupancy sensor mat causing a broken circuit and deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light. when both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal …”
2016-10-13 · Air Bags“s10 appropriate handling- copy of a letter to president and ceo of bmw of north america ludwig weillisch regarding the availability of the safety parts needed for the airbags on his vehicles. *smd the consumer stated he and his family own three bmw's that are all affected by the recall. *jb…”
2016-09-06 · Air Bags“2009 bmw x3. consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to repair driver front air bag module recall notice. *smd the consumer stated the air bag light has been on for the last 2-3 years. *jb…”
2016-09-02 · Air Bags“takata recall bmw not offering loaner program and also no date available for drivers front airbag parts even though original recall notice was march 2016.…”
2016-06-30 · Air Bags“"takata recall" i have been notified of a recall. however, five months later bmw has not replaced the air bag. this is a danger to me and my passengers. what is nhtsa doing about this?…”
2016-05-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 80,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the vehicle was parked and unmoved in my driveway for several days. it suddenly broke out in flames (originating in the engine compartment). the fire grew quite large and the car exploded (the police officer's word). security cameras on the property show no one in the area to tamper with the car. this was spontaneous combustion. a google search of …”
2016-04-15 · Air Bags“takata recall - i received a recall notice from bmw, call the local dealer, have been placed on a waiting list because they do not have parts. i am concern that if the air bag inflates there is a risk of death because of what has happen with other vehicles effect by this recall.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.