2009 BMW X3 SAV Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 19%of 16 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 BMW X3 SAV, 19% of the 16 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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“The contact owned a 2009 Bmw x3. The contact stated that after parking his vehicle at 9 am he received a call at 2 pm stating that his vehicle was on fire. When he walked outside he saw flames coming from the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire and a report was filed. The police also responded and filed police report #2010-0000-122. The vehicle was towed to a Bmw dealer who stated that they could not identify the cause of the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10344667, filed 2010-07, 25,000 miles“Nhtsa investigations pe07045 and ea08001 determined micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the front occupancy sensor mat causing a broken circuit and deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light. When both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash. Nhtsa recall campaign number 08v384000 was issued however only covers model years 2004-2006 of the Bmw X3 SAV. …”
NHTSA complaint #10927446, filed 2016-11Related service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery…
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has…
- 10056324Jul 1, 2014Bmw: in some vehicles, when the k can2 wiring is shorted, no communication with any control modules (box electronics, telematic control module,car access system…
- 10056099Jun 1, 2014Bmw: when using iphone, various connectivity failures occur, such as disconnection of call, list of contacts incomplete, due to the variants and software used. Model 2008-2014.
- 10052358May 1, 2013Bmw: on some vehicles, the alternator would malfunction, due to sporadically charging or not charge at all, intermittently, when engine's at operating temperature. Models f10…
- 10052012Mar 1, 2013Bmw: battery has an increased demand due to developemental process of the electrical system. This is causing the batter to need to undergo an energy diagnosis.
- 10051899Jan 1, 2013Instrument cluster display is intermittently inoperative. Bmw f25, and f30 models.
- 10043862Aug 1, 2012Bmw: electronic malfunction and various check control messages are displayed in cid (central information display) and instrument cluster. *pe models 2009-2012 e70, e71, e72, e82…
- 10039765Jan 1, 2012Bmw: the service engine soon light is on while driving. This is a programming issue. *rm updated 1/4/12. *pe updated 4/24/12.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 BMW X3 SAV
10 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 BMW X3 SAV
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology