2020 BMW X3 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2020 BMW X3, 4% of the 110 complaints for this model year.
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 have records of over 900 other consumers including myself that have been asking BMW to fix a potential deadly lighting malfunction that leaves you with no dash lighting or a whiteout. This problem effects all the dash and HVAC controls where you can't see any the dash and safety components. I've reached out to BMW and they refuse to acknowledge the problem and have asked me to stop.”
NHTSA complaint #11577050, filed 2024-03“This issue affects nearly ALL modern vehicles that support ONLY dark mode for backlit/light-imitting dashboard/infotainment screens. Back-lit, white text on a black background is very difficult to read for some people with certain medical conditions. For example, my wife has an intraocular lens implant. She can read road signs and physical 'white on black' text fine, but the LED backlit screen white text on a black screen causes the white lettering to glare and be blurry, making it difficult to read. …”
NHTSA complaint #11564380, filed 2024-01“Vehicle began intermittently turning lights on and off while parked and driving. Upon dealer inspection, sunroof frame failed causing water to leak and corrode the VDP module which controls items like the headlights and suspension. Dealer did confirm, vehicle is being repaired at this moment. There were no warning lights about the headlight malfunction, noticed it while driving and while parked. There was a warning light regarding the suspension however it turned off next start and only came back on once more, again disappearing next start. …”
NHTSA complaint #11624584, filed 2024-11“When driving the car during the day the infortainment digital display and dash board dims to almost black intermittently making it dangerous and distracting to operate the vehicle if trying to use the radio, the phone, or driving miles MPH and milage gauges. The screens brighten up if the driver window is opened up. But, it is impossible to do this when driving at freeway speeds. The problem has been complained about within two months of driving it off the showroom floor in dec 2019. I have been told 10 times so far, that there is no fix for this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11374332, filed 2020-11Related service bulletins
- 10252031Mar 14, 2024One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
- 10239611Jun 1, 2023Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam…
- 10235200Mar 1, 2023One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
- 10212786Apr 1, 2022The customer complains that under moderate throttle application or on deceleration after throttle application, a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is displayed in the instrument…
- 10200241Jun 1, 2021One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
- 10190862Mar 1, 2021LED LIGHT CARPET IS DIM OR DISTORTED: The light carpet may appear dim or distorted on one or both sides. .
- 10186226Dec 1, 2020?DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT IS DIM OR DISCOLORED: One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored. The connection between the LED module and light tube inside the…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 4% |
| 2018 | 6 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 7 | 8% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 10 | 9% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2020 BMW X3
35 complaintsEngine
26 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 BMW X3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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