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Electronic stability controlPart report

2011 BMW X3 Electronic stability control Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
4%of 113 total for the year
Median mileage
55,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2011 BMW X3, 4% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles.

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.

“While coming to a stop the car jerks violently forward with no warning, while moving slow it does the same, to the point where it now hurts to drive it. I get an error that says transmission malfunction, and without warning the car shifts to a lower gear, I have to stop, then turn the car off, when it is turned back the error goes away, then it reappears once again a day or two later. …”

NHTSA complaint #10911273, filed 2016-10, 51,000 miles

“The error chassis stabilization popped up with multiple lights on the instrument gauge cluster. Steering, acceleration, and braking were effected. After backing out of driveway, made a sharp right turn and warnings appeared. They also happen intermittently during driving, most often in the first 2 minutes of driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11279058, filed 2019-11, 60,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2011 Bmw X3. While driving at approximately 65 MPH during heavy rain, the vehicle violently decelerated to 35 MPH without warning. The contact stated that the failure was similar to slamming down on the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure recurred only during rain weather conditions. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10794363, filed 2015-11, 49,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electronic stability control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201932%
201722%
201433%
201144%
200711%
200611%
200522%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW X3

Engine
31 complaints
Engine cooling
24 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
23 complaints
Electrical system
22 complaints
Steering
21 complaints
Exterior lighting
10 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 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