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BMW X3 SAVModel year report

2009 BMW X3 SAV Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
47,806miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 BMW X3 SAV (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW X3 SAV. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (63% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and seats (3). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 60% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,806 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 33 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

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.”

NHTSA complaint #10855695, filed 2016-04

Electrical system: “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 2009 Bmw x3 fire shows many other similar incidents.”

NHTSA complaint #10865284, filed 2016-05, 80,000 miles

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.”

NHTSA complaint #11096943, filed 2018-05

Mileage when problems were reported

60% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 78,990 miles.

20%0–100%10–2540%25–500%50–7540%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 47,806 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2010201120142016820172018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 BMW X3 SAV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 33 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 33 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW X3 SAV

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012652,5000———Not enough data
20111368,3001———Not enough data
20102338,0003———Stable
20091647,8062———Stable
20085668,9952——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
200716070,0002——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All BMW X3 SAV model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 BMW X3 SAV have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW X3 SAV as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 BMW X3 SAV is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (63% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2009 BMW X3 SAV been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 BMW X3 SAV reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,806 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 78,990 miles; 60% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.