Skip to content
Fuel systemPart report

2008 BMW X3 SAV Fuel system Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
9%of 56 total for the year
Median mileage
31,300miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the fuel system of the 2008 BMW X3 SAV, 9% of the 56 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,300 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“Service engine soon light came on. Diagnosed at dealership that it was the dmtl pump that senses and gas leaks. I was told by service manager that it was out of warranty and I didn't have to replace it since I lived in pa in an area that didn't require it to work under our state inspections. The only problem was that the service engine light would be on and I would not know if something else was wrong with the car. Later I was talking to service manager at lexus who was a former Bmw service manager who stated it was covered under pa emission laws. …”

NHTSA complaint #10558094, filed 2014-01, 30,000 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. The 4x4 light then comes on and the car completely loses acceleration. …”

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

“Engine turned off on interstate 40 near greensboro, north carolina. Fortunate to be able to pull onto shoulder. Traveling close to 60mph. Started right back up. This is third occurrence in past two months. Never a problem prior; almost two years of ownership. Very scary and dangerous. Please advise on if this is more common than the 40-60 cases I've read about online. What seems to be issue?”

NHTSA complaint #10669416, filed 2014-12, 92,054 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Bmw x3. The contact stated that the front passenger's seat belt warning chime activated independently without the seat being occupied. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician stated that the seat sensor mat in the front passenger's seat would need to be replaced. The failure recurred after the repair. Additionally, the engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician stated that the dmtl pump would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #10558979, filed 2014-01, 25,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200916%
200859%
200732%

Other parts of the 2008 BMW X3 SAV

Air bags
29 complaints
Engine
9 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Seats
5 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW X3 SAV

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology