2011 Bmw X3 Sav problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (3) · Engine (3) · Power Train (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 (1)
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 (9)
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 9 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-05-13 · Steering · 79,000 mi“steering is "sticky" when trying to move from the center position in my 2011 bmw x3 35i-- during highway driving when the steering wheel is used to keep the vehicle in the current lane of travel, higher than normal resistance to turning is felt. once the initial resistance is overcome, the resistance lessens, resulting in a tendency to turn the whe…”
2019-04-19 · Engine“nothing happened (yet) but bmw service tells me there's no recalls that need to be taken care of on my vehicle…”
2019-03-05 · Power Train · 64,000 mi“the coolant system is giving me many problems. the coolant expansion tank developed cracks in the seam and leaking. the thermostat was stuck, causing zero heat into the cabin on a cold day. the vehicle stalled on its own while driving in the highway. it would not re start the ignition kept trying, and after 20 minutes stalled it finally started, li…”
2018-05-22 · Exterior Lighting · 68,900 mi“only have my car for only a year. taillight from passenger side: the running light defects when i hit the brake the brake light comes on. i was told i need to replace the whole assembly light and this is well known for this car. yesterday, while i was driving. my driver restraint light came on and my a/c or temperature control stopped working, …”
2018-04-02 · Air Bags“takata recall: the dealer had failed to obtain the part or parts necessary to fix the airbags problem for more than six months already since they claimed had ordered the parts. i called back, made appointment, confirmed appointment and when i went back to dealer, they said they did not have the part. they said they were ordering it and will call …”
2017-12-27 · Structure:body“in the summer of 2014, the panoramic moon roof exploded for no reason. while driving to work, with the moon roof shade closed,there was a very loud "bang". after safely pulling to the side of the road, an inspection revealed no evident damage to the vehicle. after pulling into the lot at work, a "raining' sound was coming from the roof. as s…”
2017-04-06 · Unknown Or Other · 80,120 mi“as temperature gauge rises above first hash mark a warning comes on the screen car running hot drive slow and get serviced. once temp reaches before the mid-point which is 250 so at about 230 to 240 degrees the car looses all power. putting the pedal to the floor it down shifts engine races and car goes no where slows down to 10 mph this is really …”
2017-01-19 · Unknown Or Other · 60,900 mi“vehicles have been equipped with lower anchor bars for use in attaching child restraint systems which, if specifically used with european-isofix-type rigid-style connector child restraint systems, could become damaged during vehicle operation. if the lower anchor bar(s) become damaged during vehicle operation, this would increase the risk of in…”
2017-01-07 · Engine · 67,700 mi“bmw's use electric water pumps compared to mostly belt driven pumps used by other manufactures. in the bmw community it is widely know that the pumps will fail after 60,000 miles, and some even sooner. bmw knows about this issue and has in fact changed the design and the vendor supplier for this part. the company should voluntarily recall all ve…”
2016-07-21 · Power Train · 82,000 mi“i feel this vehicle is unsafe due to the configuration of the gearshift which is electronic. i have been driving for 50 years and every car or truck i have owned or driven the shift lever when pushed forward on the center console or up on the column goes into park. in this bmw when you push the shift level all the way forward the vehicle is in reve…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.