2010 Bmw X3 Sav problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (13) · Steering (3) · Engine (2)
🧭 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 (3)
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2014-04-10 · campaign 14V176000 · 156,137 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (29)
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.
Air Bags 2026-04-30 · B650526 · Service Campaign
replace the driver’s air bag module (generation 10, psdi-x).
Air Bags 2026-04-08 · B650526DCS · Other
update - recent f25 air bag module service actions
Air Bags 2026-04-01 · B650526DCS · Other
update - recent f25 air bag module service actions
Air Bags 2026-03-26 · B650626 · Service Campaign
bmw ag is conducting a voluntary service action involving certain model year 2010 – 2013 vehicles.this service action involves the replacement of the passenger’s air bag module.
Air Bags 2026-03-26 · B650526 · Service Campaign
bmw ag is conducting a voluntary service action involving certain model year 2010 – 2013 vehicles.this service action involves the replacement of the driver’s air bag module.
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 29 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-10-04 · Electrical System · 97,535 mi“on may 31 2018 i took my x3 in to roseville bmw for air bag recall #b651617 passenger side seat mat they told mw part on order and do not have any person seating in that seat ubtill recall is compleited. it is now oct 4 2018 and no repair has been made. i just got 2 more recall notices from roseville bmw stating to call them about recall #b651617 p…”
2018-05-03 · Structure:body · 74,000 mi · 🔥 fire“in motion when it started smoking. stationary when it went up in flames…”
2017-11-22 · Air Bags“takata recall, my car has been on the recall list for years and the dealer never seems to have the parts to replace.…”
2017-06-16 · Air Bags · 59,000 mi“it's been 17 months and bmw na has not moved on repairing my car.…”
2017-04-28 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2010 bmw x3. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact had not experienced a…”
2017-04-14 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2010 bmw x3 sav. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. the contact called more than two dealers, but a specific date could not be provided for when the part would b…”
2017-03-08 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2010 bmw x3 sav. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact h…”
2017-02-13 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2010 bmw x3 sav. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was aware of the issue. the contact had not e…”
2016-12-21 · Air Bags · 35,000 mi“received from bmw, in march 2016, recall notice 16v-071, driver's front air bag module. as of this date, bmw still does not have the necessary parts available, and as of this date (12-21-2016) advised me not to expect them until early 2017 - almost a year later. my prior complaint to the nhtsa has been ignored. somebody, somewhere, needs to be fire…”
2016-11-17 · Air Bags“nhtsa recall number 16v071 issued on 02/5/16 instruct that 2010 bmw x3 xdrive30i driver's front air bag is defective and may produce execessive internal pressure that could cause the inflator to rapture resulting in serioous injury or death. i have been checking frequently with bmw and did not remedy the defect to date which i think more than a r…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.