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BMW X3 SAVModel year report

2010 BMW X3 SAV Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
38,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns 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 2010 BMW X3 SAV (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW X3 SAV. The part named most often is air bags, with 15 complaints (65% of the total), followed by steering (3) and electrical system (2). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 55% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 29 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 5 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: “On may 31 2018 I took my x3 in to roseville Bmw for air bag recall #b651617 passenger side seat mat they told mw part on order and do not have any person seating in that seat ubtill recall is compleited. It is now oct 4 2018 and no repair has been made. I just got 2 more recall notices from roseville Bmw stating to call them about recall #b651617 paas seat mat. …”

NHTSA complaint #11133391, filed 2018-10, 97,535 miles

Steering: “Sudden loss of steering power while driving, unable to turn steering wheel while driving and attempting turn in major intersection. Heavy road traffic here in ft lauderdale, almost crashed with my 9 year old on way to school. This is 3rd attempt to fix problem, car was returned but not properly fixed, took back to dealer next day with same issue & its still there after 14 days, concerned & fear for my family's safety and security while driving this Bmw due to sudden loss of steering while turning & driving in city traffic!”

NHTSA complaint #10482523, filed 2012-10, 28,888 miles

Electrical system: “Many dashboard warning lights came on simultaneously while driving. Took to Bmw of rockville md. They diagnosed failure of faulty steering angle sensor and coil spring. They confirmed this was a safety issue, and that it was nothing we did that caused it-- it was a faulty part. After only 33,000 miles, to have a critical part fail, seems serious to me. They charged us $2080.76 to fix, because it was outside warranty due to age of car. To my mind if a part fault or failure occurs, that is a safety issue, a recall issue, not a warranty issue and the carmaker should fix and report it.”

NHTSA complaint #10763124, filed 2015-09, 33,500 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2010 Bmw x3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000. The VIN was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #10782371, filed 2015-10, 25,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

55% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,500 and 69,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2555%25–5036%50–759%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 38,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20122013201420152016820172018
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 2010 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. 29 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 29 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 2010 BMW X3 SAV have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW X3 SAV as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 BMW X3 SAV is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 15 complaints (65% of the total), followed by steering with 3.

Has the 2010 BMW X3 SAV been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 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 2010 BMW X3 SAV reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,000 miles and the middle half falls between 33,500 and 69,000 miles; 55% 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.