2008 BMW X3 SAV Problems

What owners report

Airbag recall repairs are the largest group of complaints, with owners waiting months for replacement inflator parts for the Takata recall and receiving no firm repair date. Other common reports involve passenger seat sensor alarms, engine mount bolts that broke and let the engine sit down or vibrate, transmission hesitation or jerking, and sudden engine stalls. Where mileage is listed, reports range from 1,000 to 139,000 miles.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag recall repairs delayed by missing parts

   • 24 complaints (43%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2018

   Owners describe receiving a notice for the Takata airbag recall and then being told the replacement part is not available. Many describe repeated calls to the dealer with no firm date, only a general time frame, and some say a rental or replacement car was not provided. A complaint says the company quoted regulators as saying such vehicles are probably safe while parts were still missing. Some also describe the air bag warning light staying on. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 59,019 to 100,000 miles, and many describe waiting months after the recall notice.

   Recall 16V071000

   What to check: Check the VIN against the recall lookup and ask the dealer whether the airbag repair is complete or when parts are expected, in writing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall: after being notified that my x3 was under recall earlier this year, I still have not received any updates to the recall or alternative options to make my car safe again. I have reached out to niello Bmw here in sacramento and they are unwilling to put me in a rental or otherwise accommodate my safety needs. I need Bmw to aggressively provide a solution so I can drive my family around without risking our lives by an airbag explosion. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10896317, filed 2016-08, 72,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10991788, filed 2017-05, 80,000 miles
2. 2
   Seats

   Passenger seat sensor alarms and seat mat faults

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2018

   Owners describe passenger seat alarms or seat belt chimes that sound with no one in the seat, sometimes after a sensor or seat pad was replaced. Some say the problem returned after warranty repairs, and a complaint says the owner paid for labor on a sensor replacement. A report says the seat mat was confirmed as failing at a service visit without a repair, and a seat mat recall is described as still lacking parts. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 7,285 to 116,800 miles, and some describe the alarm returning after repairs.

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the passenger seat mat or sensor has been replaced under any recall or warranty, and check that the seat alarm stays quiet with an empty passenger seat.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle was stationary. I was changing a fuse and was leaning over from the driver seat on to the passenger seat. After changing the fuse, I started the car and the airbag light illuminated. Upon driving the car later with my wife, I noticed that the passenger airbag off light was illuminated as well. I then had the code diagnosed and it indicated a malfunctioning passenger seat sensor. I have sport comfort seats in my car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10821082, filed 2016-01, 116,800 miles

   “Passenger seat alarm would go off constantly without anyone or anything in the seat. Bmw replaced sensor under warranty. Problem appeared to be fixed until the following summer 2012 when alarm on seat would go off again on a regular basis. Bmw refused to replace until complaint filed and I stated it was a driving hazard due to attempting to fumble with belt while driving to stop alarm by securing belt. Bmw offered to replace alarm sensor I had to pay $300.00 for labor. This was late sept 2012. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10558092, filed 2014-01, 12,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine mount bolts breaking, engine dropping or vibrating

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 58,800 mi at 6.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2017

   Owners describe engine vibration at idle or a loud vibration when turning from a stop, with the engine hanging at an angle after mount bolts broke. Some reports say the engine sat down onto the water pump or coolant reservoir, leading to coolant leaks. Some say the bolts looked as if they had been broken for some time, and a technician called the broken bolts wear and tear that was not covered under warranty. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 30,000 to 107,000 miles, and some describe vibration at idle before the broken bolts were found.

   What to check: Look at the engine mount bolts and bracket for broken or sheared bolts, and listen for vibration at idle or a clunk when turning from a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I noticed water on the garage floor about a week ago and that the coolant was low. I took it to Bmw dealer expecting a radiator leak. I was told that all 4 aluminum support bolts had been sheared and that the engine was resting on the water pump causing the leak. The solution, while covered by my extended warranty, is still costing me $50 deductible and another $200 or so to flush and replace the coolant (which was caused by the water pump damage). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10551921, filed 2013-11, 30,000 miles

   “While driving at about 25 MPH on residential street, felt an unusual bump , continued driving home with no apparent problem. Started car next morning and felt an unusual vibration and noise which disappeared when driving. Vibration at idle continued, two days later, after driving on freeway, I found a broken bolt under the car in garage, I immediately took car to dealer service department. Was told that several motor mount bolts had sheared and was lucky no serious damage occurred. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10508062, filed 2013-04, 58,600 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission hesitation, jerking, or shift problems

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 36,000 mi at 4.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2018

   Owners describe the transmission hesitating in first gear, jerking or lurching at lower engine speeds, and shifting slowly or erratically. A report says the car would not move in reverse, and that the dealer said the vehicle performs as designed or could not duplicate the problem. Some describe poor throttle response after a bulletin repair, and a complaint says the manufacturer repurchased the car after transmission repairs did not fix the problem. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 1,000 to 68,995 miles, and some happen at low speed in first gear or when pulling away from a stop.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the bulletin on poor throttle response and engine electrical systems has been completed, and test-drive from a stop to check for hesitation or jerking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 . Around june 20, 2016 when in the driveway I put gear in reverse but vehicle would not move. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11084794, filed 2018-04, 68,995 miles

   “For nearly the entire time I have owned the vehicle I have had issues with the car jerking and lurching while accelerating in the lower RPM ranges. Of late this has become so bad I am afraid to drive the vehicle. The problem manifests itself mostly between 1,800 and 2,400 RPM with the most severe issues in the 2,200 to 2,400 RPM range. When going from a stop the car will begin to accelerate and when it gets just above 2,000 RPM it begins to jerk and lurch with the tachometer fluctuating wildly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10663609, filed 2014-12, 31,300 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Engine stalling or shutting off while driving

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2018

   Owners describe the engine stalling without warning, including at about 55 to 60 mph and while slowing for a yield sign. Some say the engine restarted after they pulled over, and that the shutdowns happened on busy streets, in driveways and on the highway. Some also report hesitation on acceleration and a check engine light that came on briefly before the stall. Where mileage is listed, these reports run from 59,000 to 139,000 miles, and some stalls happened at highway speed, around 55 to 60 mph.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Scan for stored fault codes and ask for records of any engine, fuel system or engine mount repairs, since some stall reports were not diagnosed or repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While slowing down my car (Bmw x3 year 2008)engine suddenly shut down. I pull over put it in park and it and re-start auto. This has happen a number of times. The last time was today 10/08/2016 while slowing down at a yield sign. Lucky for me there hasn't been an accident yet. This has happened a number of times on a busy street, pulling in my driveway and on the highway during a backup.”

   NHTSA complaint #10914918, filed 2016-10, 100,000 miles

   “I brought my car into the dealership because it stalled and the check engine light came on briefly and shut off. The car was also hesitating on acceleration. The dealer determined the cause was a needed thermostat replacement. However, once under the car, the technician noted 3 of 4 engine mount bolts were broken and needed to be replaced. He said it was considered wear and tear and was not covered under warranty even though only one bolt was now holding the engine from falling out. This repair would cost approximately $400. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10534197, filed 2013-08, 59,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, confirm with the dealer whether the airbag recall repair under campaign 16V071000 has been completed, since many reports describe long waits for parts. Ask for records of engine mount, transmission and seat sensor repairs, and test-drive for stalling, hesitation or jerking.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 52 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.