BMW X3 SAVModel year report

2011 BMW X3 SAV Problems

Complaints: 13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 68,300miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 1campaigns on record
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW X3 SAV (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW X3 SAV. The part named most often is engine, with 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and steering (3). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,300 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 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

Engine: “The coolant system is giving me many problems. The coolant expansion tank developed cracks in the seam and leaking. The thermostat was stuck, causing zero heat into the cabin on a cold day. The vehicle stalled on its own while driving in the highway. It would not re start the ignition kept trying, and after 20 minutes stalled it finally started, limp driving to my house from there. . The display reads drive moderately /drivetrain malfunction.”

NHTSA complaint #11184363, filed 2019-03, 64,000 miles

Air bags: “Only have my car for only a year. Taillight from passenger side: the running light defects when I hit the brake the brake light comes on. I was told I need to replace the whole assembly light and this is well known for this car. Yesterday, while I was driving. My driver restraint light came on and my A/C or temperature control stopped working, and control display stopped working. I am not able to move the driver seat. Just brought in to the dealer for the pcv valve heater recall service. Was told this may solve the issues and may not. …”

NHTSA complaint #11097235, filed 2018-05, 68,900 miles

Steering: “Steering is sticky when trying to move from the center position in my 2011 Bmw x3 35i-- during highway driving when the steering wheel is used to keep the vehicle in the current lane of travel, higher than normal resistance to turning is felt. Once the initial resistance is overcome, the resistance lessens, resulting in a tendency to turn the wheel further than was intended. This makes it difficult to keep the car centered in my lane and results in the car jerking from side to side which makes it dangerous and stressful. Tires and alignment are all very good and wearing correctly.”

NHTSA complaint #11207189, filed 2019-05, 79,000 miles

Other or unknown: “As temperature gauge rises above first hash mark a warning comes on the screen car running hot drive slow and get serviced. Once temp reaches before the mid-point which is 250 so at about 230 to 240 degrees the car looses all power. Putting the pedal to the floor it down shifts engine races and car goes no where slows down to 10 MPH this is really dangerous when there is nowhere to pull over in traffic. Car should not be programmed to cut power in this condition had my wife all freaked out.”

NHTSA complaint #10970843, filed 2017-04, 80,120 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,900 and 79,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 68,300 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

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

14V176000Apr 10, 2014
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Covers: BMW X3 SAV 2010–2011, X5 SAV 2010–2012, 535I Gran Turismo 2010–2012 +9 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5…

Recall details for the 2011 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. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.

11031873Apr 30, 2026Air bags. Replace the driver’s air bag module (generation 10, PSDI-X).
11032047Apr 8, 2026Air bags. Update - Recent F25 Air Bag Module Service Actions
11030442Apr 1, 2026Air bags. Update - Recent F25 Air Bag Module Service Actions
11030337Mar 26, 2026Air bags. BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Service Action involving certain Model Year 2010 – 2013 vehicles.This Service Action involves the replacement of the passenger’s air bag module.
11030336Mar 26, 2026Air bags. BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Service Action involving certain Model Year 2010 – 2013 vehicles.This Service Action involves the replacement of the driver’s air bag module.
10253326Apr 4, 2024Body and structure. While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard.
10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The 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. This document covers…
10215024Jun 1, 2017Engine cooling. The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification

Other model years of the BMW X3 SAV

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2012	6	52,500	0	—	—	—	Not enough data
2011	13	68,300	1	—	—	—	Not enough data
2010	23	38,000	3	—	—	—	Stable
2009	16	47,806	2	—	—	—	Stable
2008	56	68,995	2	—	—	Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)	Stable
2007	160	70,000	2	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable

All BMW X3 SAV model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 BMW X3 SAV have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW X3 SAV as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 BMW X3 SAV is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 2011 BMW X3 SAV been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 BMW X3 SAV reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,300 miles and the middle half falls between 60,900 and 79,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.