2009 BMW X3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 11%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 2009 BMW X3, 11% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles. 1 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.
“I had started my car drove out of my parking lot as I approached the highway the first intersection everything went dead no lights, snow warning lights just completely shut down and rumble as if the engine was gonna fall out a police man passed me. I was stuck in the middle of the highway. Help me push my vehicle off the road and sat with me while I called AAA. He could not get the car started. It was not the battery. He also only checked the battery terminals under the hood he hooked his portable battery charger. just gonna let me drive home hooked up, but it would not start.”
NHTSA complaint #11755391, filed 2026-08“The contact owned a 2009 Bmw X3. While driving approximately 20 MPH, white smoke emerged from the engine compartment. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed sparks from the engine to the ground as a fire ignited. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The contact also received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a tow lot where it was deemed destroyed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11113346, filed 2018-07, 123,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10162416Jul 9, 2019"Power Reduction, FC 2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC 2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Faults are Stored in DME. The ""Service Engine Soon"" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine…
- 10151300May 1, 2016N51, N52, N52K and N52T Engines: Various Eccentric Shaft Sensor Faults stored in the DME - Diagnostic Hints This Service Information bulletin and attachment supersedes SI B11 06…
- 10151068Feb 1, 2016This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles…
- 10149277Oct 1, 2014Engine Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units: Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years Without Mileage Limitation. INFORMATION BMW of North America, LLC ("BMW NA") is extending the…
- 10150095Mar 1, 2013Intermittent Hydraulic Valve Adjuster (HVA) Noise. An occasional ticking or rattling noise from the camshaft hydraulic valve lifters (HVA) may occur during cold engine starts…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 4 | 11% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 4 | 27% |
| 2022 | 11 | 13% |
| 2021 | 23 | 20% |
| 2020 | 26 | 24% |
| 2019 | 35 | 20% |
| 2018 | 16 | 21% |
| 2017 | 17 | 18% |
| 2016 | 13 | 16% |
| 2015 | 29 | 28% |
| 2014 | 19 | 22% |
| 2013 | 147 | 65% |
| 2012 | 8 | 19% |
| 2011 | 31 | 27% |
| 2010 | 6 | 19% |
| 2009 | 2 | 11% |
| 2008 | 16 | 24% |
| 2007 | 25 | 26% |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2009 BMW X3
9 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 BMW X3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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