WBXPC93439WJ302632009 BMW X3xDrive30i
2009 BMW X3 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 88 owner complaints include 9 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
Executive Summary
2009 BMW X3
2009 BMW X3 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 88 owner complaints include 9 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- 3 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- 9 injuries reported across 88 owner complaints
- Common owner-reported issues: airbag warning, fire, stalling
- Safety Systems is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
- TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL — inflator can rupture and send metal shrapnel into the cabin. Do NOT drive until repaired.
- Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
88 owner complaints filed — top areas: Safety Systems (36%), Electrical (20%), Engine/Powertrain (15%). Common issues: airbag warning, fire, stalling, loss of power. 4 crashes reported.
Takata airbag inflators can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin — this defect has caused at least 27 deaths and 400+ injuries worldwide. Do NOT drive this vehicle until this recall is repaired. Contact your dealer immediately.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- BMW
- Model
- X3
- Year
- 2009
- Trim / Series
- xDrive30i
- Body Style
- Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
- Vehicle Type
- MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
- Drive Type
- AWD/All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.0L 230 hp
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- BMW AG
- Assembly
- GRAZ, AUSTRIA
- GVWR
- Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: GRAZ, AUSTRIA
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
- ▸Airbag system recall
- ▸Engine recall
- ▸7 complaint(s) involved a fire
- ⚠2 recalls on same component: Safety Systems
- ⚠9 injuries reported in complaints
- ⚠Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Vehicle-specific risks from this model-year's complaint record, known defects, and service milestones
One failed component has created stress on connected systems. Repair costs compound quickly — a $500 fix can become $3,000+ if cascade damage is ignored.
Owners of the 2009 BMW X3 report safety systems issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Owners of the 2009 BMW X3 report electrical issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Owners of the 2009 BMW X3 report engine/powertrain issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
3 RECALLSNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 3 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 3 recalls is ~76%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
BMW completes recalls at a good rate (91%), averaging about 16 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~16 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
SummaryBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i
xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.Read full details...
~25% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
SummaryBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.Read full details...
~14% chance this vehicle is still unrepaired
Low RiskSource: NHTSA published Takata completion data
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
SummaryBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.Read full details...
~34% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
9 injuries reported across 88 complaints — elevated injury rate for this class of vehicle.
Complaint Intelligence
88 complaints analyzed across 10 system categories
Air Bags leads owner complaints (39%), most reported when the vehicle was 6–8 yrs old. Also common: Electrical System (18%), Engine (9%).
Based on 88 complaints with a reported incident date. Too few owners cited mileage (5) to report a reliable failure-mileage range.
32% of complaints filed in Jul & Sep — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME88 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
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.
The battery safety terminal deployed while I was driving down the mountain, causing unsafe conditions for myself and drivers around me. Car turned completely off and unable to turn it back on. Lost power steering and braking capabilities. No accidents or airbags were deployed to cause the battery safety teminal to deploy
My vehicle malfunctioned last week because of the fault harness. Vehicle had a slight fire and now is not drivable. BMW does not want to comply.
Driver side drive shaft fell off while driving on the highway. Very dangerous, merging from one highway in onto another in the middle of gridlock. No lights on prior to failure, just completely snapped off, ripped thru my oil pan and coolant hoses. Was shown the damage when I brought it to a repair shop.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle started to overheat and she was only able to drive the vehicle for a few miles. The contact stated that smoke was coming from under the hood and from the exhaust. The contact stated that she had stopped driving the vehicle for fear of the vehicle catching on fire. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Front Passenger Seat Occupancy Mat (OC3) for the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS/Air bag system) Failure. Recall was done 06/2018 by BMW dealer, but problem came back 08/2022. Airbag warning light on in dashboard. Reading codes confirms problem. DANGER of bodily harm to passengers because the airbags will not deploy.
2009 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PVC VALVE HEATER SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A NOISE AND SMOKE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER WAS ADVISED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND STATED THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE BUT, CHARGED THE CONSUMER FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING, THE RPM REVVED WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BMW OF LYNCHBURG LOCATED AT 2643 LAKESIDE DR - #6944, LYNCHBURG, VA 24501, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE MOTOR ON THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE DISCONNECTED AND PLACED A STRAIN ON THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,236.
4 MONTHS AGO MY CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY MECHANIC CHANGED FUEL PUMP , COUPLE WEEKS AFTER THAT IT HAPPENS AGAIN I TOOK IT BACK AND THE MECHANIC SAID EVERYTHING IS OK , I WENT HOME AND TODAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AGAIN, I WAS SO SCARED I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF YOU GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF TUCSON (855 W WETMORE RD, TUCSON, AZ 85705, (520) 549-2167) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAGIC, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, WENT TO PULL OUT OF TRAGIC AND FELT MY [XXX] ON FIRE, THE HEAT SEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MELTED SEAT COVER TO MY PANTS CAUSING MUCH DISCOMFORT AND RUINED JEANS. REPORTED IT TO BMW AND THEY OFFERED TO DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICITY TO THE SEAT. NOT SATISFIED, NOT IMPRESSED. VERY DANGEROUS. VEHICLE WAS ON HIGHWAY WHEN INCIDENT HAPPENED. WAS LUCKY TO GET OUT OF TRAGIC TO EXIT. WHILE DRIVING PUT MY HAND TO FEEL PROBLEM AND BURNED FINGER TIP. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I TOOK MY CAR TO A BMW DEALERSHIP IN CANNONSBURG, PA. HAD NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER DROPPING IT OFF. I HAD DRIVEN 3 HOURS TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL. BY THE END OF THE DAY I RECEIVED A CALL TELLING ME MY CAR WAS OVER HEATING AND NOT DRIVABLE. HOW IS THAT MY RESPONSIBILITY? WHEN OBVIOUSLY I DROVE IT A LONG DISTANCE TO GET 3 RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF. I WAS TOLD THE WATER PUMP, I THINK WAS NOT WORKING? IT WAS WORKING WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF? IF IT WAS OVERHEATING I COULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT. PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE OUT OUR TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I NEED MY CAR AND I'M REGRETTING TAKING IT IN FOR A RECALL NOW.
RECALL # 17V676, 17V683 IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A YEAR AND I'M STILL UNABLE TO MAKE REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITH BMW DEALER FOR REASON OF PARTS UNAVAILABLE. MY AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM COULDN'T KEEP CAR COOL ENOUGH AS HEAT FROM THE ENGINE IS HIGH.
IN NOVEMBER 2017 I RECEIVED TWO (2) RECALL NOTICES FOR MY 2009 BMW 328I. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING (RECALL CAMPAIGN # 17V-676) AND PCV VALVE HEATER (RECALL CAMPAIGN # 17V-676) WERE DEFECTIVE. I WAS FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT NO REMEDY FOR EITHER DEFECT WAS AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER 2018. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND BEEN ADVISED THAT AT THIS TIME A REMEDY REMAINS UNAVAILABLE. I AM CONSIDERING SELLING OR TRADING IN MY VEHICLE BUT BECAUSE THIS RECALL HAS NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED MY RESALE PRICE MAY BE LOWERED. IF TWO (2) RECALL REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED 10 MONTHS AFTER A RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN ISSUED, WHY BOTHER ISSUING THE RECALL NOTICE IN NOVEMBER 2017 IF IT IS FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN BUREAUCRATIC PAPER SHUFFLING FOR BMW TO CLAIM TO THE NHTSA THAT BMW IS GOING TO FIX A DEFECT WHILE ACTUALLY DOING NOTHING TO REMEDY THE DEFECT?
FUEL INJECTORS BEGAN LEAKING AND HAVE BECOME FAULTY CAUSING MIS-FIRING. BMW HAD A SIMILAR RECALL INVOLVING CARS WITH THE SAME MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE AS MY CAR BUT HAS REFUSED TO CLAIM IT WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
TL* 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER (UNITED BMW CPO SERVICE, 11458 ALPHARETTA HWY, ROSWELL, GA 30076, 1-678-497-0818) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
MARCH 28, 2018 - DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CAR SUDDENLY COMES TO A STOP AND SHOWS MESSAGE FUEL PUMP WITH CAR ON ROCK ICON. CAR GETS TOWED. NEXT DAY MECHANIC SAYS IT RAN OUT OF GAS, ADDED GAS STARTED THE CAR. MARCH 29, 2018 CAR STALLS AFTER 5 MILES NEAR THE RAMP OF EXIT. GET THE CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. MECHANIC DOES NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. APRIL 14TH, 2018 - CAR STOPS ON THE FREEWAY. TOW IT TO MECHANIC MECHANIC SAYS THAT ITS RELATED TO FUEL TANK SENSOR. THIS CAUSES A WRONG READING OF LEVEL OF GAS IN THE CAR. MECHANIC CHANGES IT AND CAR RUNS OK FOR 2 MONTHS. JUNE 21, 2018 - CAR STOPS ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE SAME MESSAGE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WITH THE CAR ON ROCK ICON. I GET TOWING SERVICE TO ADD GAS AND WAIT FOR AN HOUR. RESTART THE CAR AND IT WORKS. THE MESSAGE IS GONE, THE ICON IS GONE. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME I WAS STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY.
RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER 2017 AND BMW HAS YET TO HAVE A REMEDY/SOLVE FOR THE ISSUE. WE ARE OVER 6 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL AND THIS IS FAR PAST A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO ADDRESS A SAFETY ISSUE.
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING HOME, POWERFUL IMPLOSION, GLASS EVERYWHERE.
HELLO, MY 2009 BMW E92 328I IS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, WHICH WILL CAUSE THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TO NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT WITH THE SAME DESIGN AND PARTS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. (HTTPS://BRANDILAW.COM/2013/12/26/BMW-RECALLS-76565-VEHICLES-DUE-TO-A-FRONT-PASSENGER-SEAT-ELECTRONIC-SENSING-MAT-FAILURE/) THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THE CARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE RECALL DATE. I AM TRYING MY BEST TO DO DUE DILIGENCE AND INFORM THE NTSB TO REVIEW THIS INCIDENT WITHIN OTHER BMW MODELS AND TO HOPEFULLY REMEDY ANY AFFECTED CARS. THE DESIGN OF THE SENSOR IS VERY POORLY CONSTRUCTED AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, LEAVING MANY OWNERS TO SIMPLY FOREGO MAKING THE NECESSARY FIXES. IN FACT, SEVERAL MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT CUSTOMERS TYPICALLY AVOID MAKING THE FIX DUE TO HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS, RUNNING THE RISK OF THEIR PASSENGER NOT BEING PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. I HOPE THE NTSB CAN LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT [XXX] FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. BMW OF ROCKVILLE (1300 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852, (301) 476-0126) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING PLASTIC BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE FROM THE COOLING VENTS, BMW HAS OPENED A RECALL BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS.
FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DISABLES PASSENGER AIRBAG CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE FOR PASSENGER OCCUPANCY. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT EXPERIENCED BY PREVIOUS MODELS. COST OF REPAIR IS EXCESSIVE..
TAKATA RECALL THAT HAS BEEN OPEN FOR 18 MONTHS AND NOW THE PCV VALVE THAT CREATES FIRES
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (PARK AVE BMW, 530 HUYLER ST, SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606, (201) 843-4999) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. RICK HILL IMPORTS OF KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. INITIALLY, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE WITHIN 7-10 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF AUGUST 4, 2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL IN 2016 AND BMW STILL HAS NOT CONTACTED ME TO SERVICE THE RECALL
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE TWO VEHICLES IN RECALL. IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS SINCE DISCOVERED. BMW HAS DONE NOTHING. CALLS TO DEALER SAY "NO PARTS"' SO MY WIFE AND I MUST DRIVE THESE VEHICLES THAT MAY BE DANGEROUS WITH NO IDEA WHEN THE CONDITION WILL BE CORRECTED. OTHER COMPANIES MADE QUICK UPDATES. WHY NOT BMW?
INTERMITTENT SIDE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM
TAKATA RECALL -- I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION MARCH, 2016, AND HAVE YET TO HAVE MY AIR BAG REPLACED. WHEN WILL THIS BE RESOLVED?
2009 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER AIRBAG MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *LD UPDATED 07/13/2017*JS
TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE VIA MAIL 07-03-2017 THAT NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL WERE AVAILABLE BUT BMW DEALERSHIP IN BIRMINGHAM, AL STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WHEN I CALLED TO MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE BMW REP TOLD ME TO CALL BACK IN A FEW WEEKS - PARTS MIGHT BE AVAILABLE. I'M CONFUSED AS TO WHY I WOULD RECEIVE THIS NOTICE IF PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
THE AIR BAG HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR OVER A YEAR AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE MATTER. WHEN THE RECALL FIRST HAPPENED I WAS VERY PREGNANT AND I CALLED BMW TELLING THEM I WAS CONCERNED. THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD BE FIXED BY 9/16 AND I AM STILL WAITING AND MY BABY WILL TURN 1 ON JULY 1,2017. WHEN WILL MY AIR BAGS BE FIXED? THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS MATTER.
WE CAME HOME AND PARKED THE BMW IN THE ATTACHED GARAGE. TEN MINUTES LATER I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE GARAGE. I LOOKED INTO THE GARAGE AND FOUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE BMW ON FIRE. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO CAME AS QUICKLY AS A VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT CAN. BY THE TIME THE FIRE WAS OUT BOTH CARS IN THE GARAGE AND THE HOUSE HAD BEEN BADLY BURNED.
BMW SENT LETTER 3/2016 ABOUT RECALL AND CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR MY CARS RECALL.I HAVE CHECK SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LAST YEAR LOCALLY AND THEN ANOTHER NEARBY DEALERSHIP CLOSE BY IN ANOTHER TOWN. THEY SAID THEY WOULD PLACE ME ON A CALL LIST AND THAT HAS BEEN 7 MTHS AGO. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE WAITING FOR ME TO GET RID OF THE CAR, BUT IN THE MEANTIME I AM AT RISK IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHAT DO I DO? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ADVICE
ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS.
TAKATA RECALL IT HAS BEEN OVER 1Y. SINCE OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF RECALL. DEALER HAS NOT CONTACTED ME ON REPAIR.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS PE07045 AND EA08001 DETERMINED MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE FRONT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT AND DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000 WAS ISSUED HOWEVER ONLY COVERS MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 OF THE BMW X3 SAV. REQUEST NHTSA CONDUCT FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS TO EXPAND THE EXISTING RECALL TO COVER ALL 2004-2009 MODEL YEARS OF THE FIRST GENERATION BMW X3 SAV WHICH MANY OWNERS ONLINE CAN CONCUR EXHIBIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF THIS SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT POSES A SEVERE SAFETY RISK.
TAKATA RECALL. I LIVE IN A HIGH HUMIDITY AREA 5 MILES FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO IN NORTH WEST FLORIDA. BECAUSE OF THE HIGH HUMIDITY I FEEL I AM AT HIGH RISK OF A TAKATA AIRBAG RUPTURE. IN MARCH OF 2016 I RECEIVED MY INITIAL LETTER FROM BMW USA INFORMING ME OF THE POTENTIAL DANGEROUS TAKATA AIRBAG MODULE IN MY 2009 BMW 328I. I AM REQUESTING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG MODULE IN MY CAR.
RECALL ON FEBRUARY 5, 2016, BMW HAS FAILED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG IN ALMOST NINE MONTHS! WHAT GOOD IS A POSSIBLE DEATH RECALL IF THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT REPLACE THE AIRBAG?
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF A LETTER TO PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LUDWIG WEILLISCH REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SAFETY PARTS NEEDED FOR THE AIRBAGS ON HIS VEHICLES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS FAMILY OWN THREE BMW'S THAT ARE ALL AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. *JB
SPOKE TO BMW TODAY THEY ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT THE PARTS NOT COMING IN UNTIL 2017. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MONTH SO I COULD STILL BE OVER A YEAR AWAY FROM RESOLVING THIS. I CANT EVEN SELL THE CAR OR TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THEY CANT RESALE IT WITHOUT CORRECTING THE RECALL. ACURA WAS PAYING FOR A LOANER CAR UNTIL THE RECALL WAS CORRECTED I GUESS BMW FEELS ITS OWNERS ARE MORE EXPENDABLE??
TAKATA RECALL: MY LOCAL DEALER STILL SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO SERVICE MY CAR. I WAS NOTIFIED LAST WINTER THAT MY CAR WAS UNSAFE, AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE THE AIRBAG FIXED. I CHECKED THE RECALL SITE AND IT SAYS INTERIM PARTS ARE AVAILABLE BUT THE DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL THEM! WHEN WILL THIS BE COMPLETE. AM I DRIVING A TIME BOMB?
2009 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 2-3 YEARS. *JB
TAKATA RECALL BMW NOT OFFERING LOANER PROGRAM AND ALSO NO DATE AVAILABLE FOR DRIVERS FRONT AIRBAG PARTS EVEN THOUGH ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE WAS MARCH 2016.
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. HOWEVER, FIVE MONTHS LATER BMW HAS NOT REPLACED THE AIR BAG. THIS IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS. WHAT IS NHTSA DOING ABOUT THIS?
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNMOVED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IT SUDDENLY BROKE OUT IN FLAMES (ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT). THE FIRE GREW QUITE LARGE AND THE CAR EXPLODED (THE POLICE OFFICER'S WORD). SECURITY CAMERAS ON THE PROPERTY SHOW NO ONE IN THE AREA TO TAMPER WITH THE CAR. THIS WAS SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. A GOOGLE SEARCH OF "2009 BMW X3 FIRE" SHOWS MANY OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS.
TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW, CALL THE LOCAL DEALER, HAVE BEEN PLACED ON A WAITING LIST BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. I AM CONCERN THAT IF THE AIR BAG INFLATES THERE IS A RISK OF DEATH BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPEN WITH OTHER VEHICLES EFFECT BY THIS RECALL.
THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS' TURN SIGNAL START FLICKERING WITH THE LIGHT ERROR SIGNAL IN THE DASH, I RESEARCHED IT TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ABOUT THE REAR TURN SIGNALS GETTING CORROSION. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX IT. THEY STATED THEY KNEW THE SERVICE BULLETINS WERE OUT BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL. AFTER FURTHER SEARCHING I FOUND OUT THE OLDER MODELS HAD A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IF THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE THEN WHY DON'T THEY FIX IT. *TR
NOTICED A VERY SLIGHT TAPPING WHEN THE CAR WAS FIRST CRANKED--BUT NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MILES, A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING "CHARGING MALFUNCTION" FLASHED ON, AND THE BATTERY SYMBOL APPEARED. BECAUSE I WAS THE PASSENGER, I GOOGLED "BMW 328I CHARGING MALFUNCTION" AND THE FIRST RESULT THAT CAME UP READ "BMW/ JANUARY 2013/ RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 12V-550: ENGINE BELT IDLER PULLEY BOLT" FOR MYS 2009-2012 BMW X5 XDRIVE 35S SAVS. BEFORE I COULD INFORM DRIVER, HE COMPLAINED THAT HE HAD LOST POWER STEERING. AS WE WERE LITERALLY YARDS FROM OUR DESTINATION, WE PARKED, AND RETURNED TO THE CAR TWO HOURS LATER. WHEN WE RECRANKED THE CAR, SAME WARNINGS. WE DECIDED TO DRIVE TO LOCAL BMW SERVICE STATION. AT A STOP LIGHT A FEW MILES FURTHER, MANY WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON, BUT THE PANEL SAID IT WAS STILL DRIVABLE AND NEEDED SERVICE SOON. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, THE PANEL WENT OFF, AND THE CAR WAS STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR ROAD. PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO FIND THE BOLT BROKEN AND THE PULLEY AND BELT LOOSE. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO BMW REPAIR, WE WERE TOLD THE A/C COMPRESSOR W/CLUTCH, BELT TENSIONER AND BELT, AND OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $5090. (CAR HAD BEEN GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH DURING LAST OIL CHANGE, AND THE A/C WAS WORKING WELL EARLIER THAT MORNING.) WONDERING WHY THE EBIP BOLT WAS RECALLED IN SO MANY OTHER BMW MODELS THAT YEAR BUT NOT IN OURS. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THEIR RECALL NOTIFICATION EXACTLY MATCHED THE DESCRIPTION OF OUR PROBLEM.
THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V-384 FOR DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY AND PROTECT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH IS EXTENDED FOR 10 YEARS ONLY COVERS MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 OF THE BMW X3 DESPITE THE FIRST GENERATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING PRODUCED FROM 2003 - 2010 AND VEHICLES FROM ALL OTHER YEARS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. FOR INSTANCE MY OWN VEHICLE IS MODEL YEAR 2009 AND EXHIBITS ALL SYMPTOMS OF THE AIR BAG ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTICE HOWEVER I HAVE NO MATTER OF RECOURSE AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PETITION THE DEALERSHIP OR BMW NORTH AMERICA LLC TO REMEDY THE ISSUE AS THEY HAVE REFUSED CITING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN MAKES THEM LIABLE ONLY FOR THOSE SPECIFIC MODEL YEARS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS NOT RECEIVING AS MUCH ATTENTION DUE TO THE MASSIVE TAKATA RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO PETITION THE NHTSA TO HAVE BMW EXPAND THE AIRBAG RECALL CAMPAIGN TO COVER ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS OF THE SAME PRODUCTION GENERATION OF THE X3.
HE TENIDO VARIOS PROBLEMAS CON EL CARRO, CORRIENDO AL VOLTEAR SE ME APAGO DOS VECES Y FUE MUY PELIGROSO PORQUE LOS CARROS QUE IBAN ATRAS CASI ME PEGAN Y CLARO SE MOLESTARON MUCHO AL SACAR LA VUELTA RAPIDO PARA NO GOLPEAR MI CARRO, LO LLEVE AL MECANICO Y TARDO MUCHO PARA HALLAR EL PROBLEMA, LA FLECHA DERECHA (BLINKING LIGHT) ESTA QUEBRADA LO HACE MUY RAPIDO Y AL CHECAR ME DIJERON QUE SE TIENE QUE REPARAR TODO INCLUIDO EL FOCO DE ATRAS, PROBLEMA CON LOS CABLES DE BATERIA ESO SI ME LO ARREGLARON GRATIS PORQUE TIENE RECALL, PERO LUEGO LA BATERIA EMPEZO A FALLAR Y HUBO QUE CAMBIARLA, EL VOLANTE ESTA MUY DURO Y AL VOLTEAR TENGO QUE HACERLO CON MUCHO CUIDADO PARA NO PEGARLE AL DEL OTRO CARRIL, EL MECANICO NO HA PODIDO COMPONER ESE PROBLEMA, A VECES SE HACELERA SOLO CUANDO ESTOY HACIENDO UN ALTO Y NO SE NI PORQUE LO HACE, Y TAMPOCO SE CUANDO VA A PASAR.
COUPE OF TIME THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS THE RESULT SRS & AIRBAG LIGHT NOW STAY ON.
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND AT THAT TIME THE BRAKES BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AS WELL. THIS RESULTED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AS MY CAR ONLY STOPPED BY HITTING ANOTHER CAR WAITING AT THE OPPOSITE LIGHT. IT CAN BE COMPARED TO SLIDING ON A PATCH OF ICE, BUT THERE IS NO OPTION TO MOVE THE WHEEL TO TRY AND REGAIN CONTROL OF YOUR CAR. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AS I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR AUTOMOBILE MAKE.
I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE ONE DAY AND A MESSAGE SAYING "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. CONTINUE TO WEAR SEATBELT. BRING TO LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP." THE DAY BEFORE NOTHING HAPPEN AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM DALLAS TO HOUSTON. OCCASIONALLY AS I DRIVE WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING GOES AWAY BUT THEN THE CHIME GOES OFF AND THE MESSAGE REAPPEARS. THIS HAPPEN ALL IN JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST. NOW EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE WARNING COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THE SEATBELT AS WELL SEEMS TO HAVE NO RESTRAINT AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF I WAS EVER IN AN ACCIDENT, THE SEATBELT WON'T HOLD THE PASSENGER BACK.
WHEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION ENGINE LOST POWER AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT. TOOK CAR TO BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND THE PUMP AND TANK HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
HAVE A 2009, BMW WITH 45,000 MILES AND MY AXEL(BOTH) ARE IN NEED OF REPLACING DUE TO RUST. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS I WAS TOLD BY MY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING A LOT IN 2009 & 2010 VEHICLES. MARYLAND IS NOT A FLOOD ZONE STATE AND THE VEHICLE IS TOO YOUNG WITH LOW MILEAGE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS CLEARLY A FACTORY PROBLEM! IT NO WAY A VEHICLE WITH 45,000 MILES IS IN NEED OF AN AXEL REPLACING DUE TO "RUST".
INSIDE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE MELTING
THE CAR WAS STORED OUTSIDE IN EXTREME HEAT DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL - 90+ DEGREES FOR OVER 3 WEEKS. (IN FLORIDA) AIR BAG SENSOR AND SEAT BELT SENSOR ON PASSENGER SIDE, INCORRECTLY ALERTING, WHEN SOMEONE OR NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT. NOW THE SENSOR IS ON ALL THE TIME. ALSO THE FAN WHICH COOLS THE ENGINE WAS EXTREMELY LOUD AND ON EVERY MORNING WHEN CAR WAS STARTED.
UPON RETURNING TO SEATTLE, WA, SINCE I FLEW DOWN TO BERKLEY, CA TO PURCHASE MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED EXCESSIVE HEADLAMP SHAKE WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPS ON THE HIGHWAY, ESPECIALLY EXPANSION JOINTS. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLAMPS SHAKE EQUALLY AS BAD, AND I CONSIDER THAT A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND SEARCHING MANY ONLINE FORUMS, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY ISSUES WITH THE ADAPTIVE HEADLAMP BRACKET ARMS BEING BROKEN. CPO WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER HEADLAMPS ACCORDING TO BMW, AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR BOTH REPLACEMENTS. *TR
ON THE HIGHWAY STUCK IN TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6-7 TIMES NOW. 2 OF THOSE TIMES I WAS TAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND TURN IT HAS DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST HITTING ME. 2009 BMW 335D. *TR
WHILE MAKING A BROKEN U-TURN IN A PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO EXTREME RAPID ACCELERATION. *TR
NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN OUR CAR ACCIDENT. WE WERE AT A STAND STILL, OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY AND ANOTHER CAR HIT US IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PANEL NEAR THE TIRE, AT HIGH IMPACT. *TR
LOUD RATTLE FROM REAR SUSPENSION, SOUNDED LIKE LOOSE SHOCK TOWER. TOOK TO DEALER, BOTH REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. I AVOID ALL ROAD HAZARDS AND DO NOT 'BEAT' MY CARS. BMW SERVICE ADVISOR HAD A BROKEN SPRING ON HER DESK TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUE. IT HAPPENS THAT OFTEN. REPAIR COST ME $987.38. I CALL MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
CAR WAS RUNNING VERY BAD BOTH CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON WITH ONE BLINKING TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO CERTIFIED BMW DEALER WHO REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS, VALVE AND TUNED IT UP COST 3500 DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEY SAID IT'S GAS TO AIR RATIO IS NOT CORRECT THE CAR MISFIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS THE BMW DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER 1600-2700 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP AFTER THE FIRST REPAIRED I WAS BACK IN 2 DAYS LATER. DREYER AND REINBOLD IS THE DEALERSHIP. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS
WITH NO OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING ALARM WENT OFF ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, FORCING THE DRIVER TO FASTEN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT. THIS WARNING ALSO OCCURRED ONCE WHEN THERE WAS AN OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT SEAT AND HAD THE SEAT BELT PROPERLY FASTENED. *TR
2009 BMW 328I, THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHT AT TIMES BLINKS RAPIDLY AND A WARNING OF LIGHT PROBLEM ILLUMINATES. THE DIRECTIONAL BLINKS FAST AND LIGHT IS DULL ON EXTERIOR TAIL AND FRONT LAMPS. AT TIMES WORKS NORMALLY AND THEN BEGINS TO BLINK RAPIDLY WITH A BELL WARNING AND ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT SIGN DISPLAYS. THIS PROBLEM HAS KNOWN TO BMW AS THE SERVICE DEALERS RECEIVED A BULLETIN. WILL NOT COVER IF OUT OF WARRANTY BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ENUMERATED BY MANY CUSTOMERS. *TR
I THINK BMW NEEDS TO LOOK INTO A RECALL FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS ON THE 3 - SERIES MODELS FROM 09 AND UP. THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE LED SIGNAL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONS AND SOME OF THE LED'S STOP WORKING. WHEN THOSE FEW STOP WORKING, IT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT AND THE REST ARE VERY DIM/NOT VISIBLE. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE WARNING INDICATOR ON THE DASH TO COME UP ADVISING THAT YOU HAVE A BURNT OUT BULB . I HAVE ALREADY HAD MY DRIVERS SIDE REPLACED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE IS HAVING ISSUES. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE ONLINE. THERE ARE MANY UNITS FOR SALE ON EBAY AND IN THE ITEM DESCRIPTION THEY INDICATE THAT A FEW OF THE LED'S AREN'T WORKING. AN LED CIRCUIT BOARD THAT IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES AND CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATES SINCE IT AFFECTS SAFETY SINCE THE SIGNAL LIGHTS/HAZARDOUS LIGHTS DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS COINCIDES WITH THE RECALL THAT BMW RECENTLY DID FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE IN OTHER MODELS. IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! *JS
I HAVE A 2009 BMW328XI, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR. I ONLY HAVE 59,000 MILES. ON AUGUST 3, 2013 THE CAR TEMPERATURE LIGHT WENT ON, FIRST YELLOW AND NOT EVEN TWO SECONDS LATER RED. WITH OUT WARNING THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. SO I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. THINKING THE CAR IS OVER HEATING. INSTEAD, AFTER GETTING IT TOWED FOUND OUT THE WATER PUMP AND ELECTRIC THERMOSTAT WENT. I AM VERY UNHAPPY THAT A 4 AND HALF YEAR OLD CAR SHOULDN'T HAVE SUCH PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD MANY HIGH END CARS IN THE PAST FOR 11 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM IN SUCH A SHORT LIFE OF A CAR. *TR
SUNROOF EXPLODED UPWARD MAKING A "GUN SHOT" TYPE SOUND LEAVING A BASKETBALL SIZED HOLE IN THE ROOF. *TR
2009 BMW 335D, EGR COOLER CRACKS OPEN AND STARTS FUMING UNFILTERED DIESEL EXHAUST INTO THE ENVIRONMENT AND INTO COCK PIT OF CAR. HIGHLY DANGEROUS GAS HAS SEVERE IMPACT TO OCCUPANTS, CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE OF CAR. BMW REFUSE TO FIX THIS UNDER BELOW MENTIONED RECALL AS IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COOLER. RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 11E-A03: BMW VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN SCR CATALYST, EGR VALVE AND/OR DEF MIXER AND ECU SOFTWARE FLASH FAILED EXHAUST COOLER MAKES THE CAR ILLEGAL ON ROAD AS IT EXCEEDS EMISSION LIMITS AND IS IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND IS A HEALTH HAZARD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR DID NOT DIM ACCORDING TO NHTSA RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR DIM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 05/10/12*LJ UPDATED 05/14/12
PIRELLI SCORPION TIRE 235/55HR17 99H BLOW-OUTS IN SIDE WALLS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED NECK INJURIES AND THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
2009 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT REGARDING MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MAINTENANCE WAS NOT PERFORMED AS INDICATED ON THE INVOICE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID A COMPARISON OF THE BRAKE FLUID BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND AFTER HE RETURNED FROM THE DEALER AND THE PICTURES SHOWED THE BRAKE FLUID HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED. *JB
ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011, MY 2009 328I SHUT DOWN WITHOUT NOTICE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF I-90 AT MILE MARKER 80.002 ABOUT A MILE FROM OHARE AIRPORT IN CHICAGO. IT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND I WAS LEFT TO CALL 911 AND SPEND 10 MINUTES WAITING FOR DOT TO TOW ME OFF THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TO A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD TO WAIT ANOTHER HOUR FOR AAA TO TOW MY CAR TO PERILLO BMW IN CHICAGO TO ASSESS THE ISSUE. JUNE 15TH 2011: ABOUT 3 HOURS AFTER BRINGING MY CAR INTO THE ZIMBRICK BMW SERVICE FACILITY TO HAVE A SET OF AFTER-MARKET LED LIGHTS INSTALLED AT COST, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD. AS I HAD NEVER SEEN THIS LIGHT APPEAR ON MY LESS THAN 2 YEAR OLD CAR BEFORE, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE PERSON WHO WAS HEAD OF YOUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS HOW THIS LIGHT COULD APPEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN HOURS EARLIER ON A SERVICE APPOINTMENT THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE TOUCHED THE ENGINE. A LOANER CAR WAS PROMPTLY DRIVEN TO MY OFFICE, TO CHECK INTO THE ISSUE AND TAKE MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, IF NECESSARY. THE FOLLOWING IS THE CONVERSATION THAT TRANSPIRED BETWEEN THE SERVICE REP AND I, UPON HIS REVIEW OF MY VEHICLE, USING A COMPUTER CONNECTION TO PULL DATA FROM MY CARS ONBOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM: SA: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS? ME: (CHECKING THE ODOMETER, AS I RESET IT WITH EACH FULL TANK OF GAS) ABOUT 97 MILES AGO. SA: WELL, THE COMPUTER IS REPORTING THE ISSUE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER, I THINK IT MIGHT JUST BE THAT YOUR GAS CAP MAY HAVE BEEN UNSCREWED. ME: I CAN'T SAY THAT MAKES MUCH SENSE, AS I FILLED IT UP 97 MILES AGO AND HAVEN'T SEEN AN ISSUE UNTIL NOW. SA; WELL, LET ME JUST TURN THE INDICATOR LIGHT OFF AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU RUN INTO THIS ISSUE AGAIN.
2009 BMW 328I WITH 17K MILES MALFUNCTIONED CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED. I WAS INJURED BY THE FIRE GETTING OUT. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE FIRE CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. IN ADDITION TO THE COST OF THE CAR THERE WAS ADDITIONAL 20K PERSONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY COLLISION OR OPERATOR ERROR. ON 15 NOV 2010 APPROX 7: 30PM AFTER ABOUT 8 MINS OF DRIVING MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE SES LIGHT CAME ON. IT ACTED AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS I PULLED OVER OFF OF THE SHOULDER IN THE GRASS. THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP I TOOK MY FLASH LIGHT AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD.I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING OR NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. AFTER A LITTLE TIME THE CAR STARTED BACK UP, THE SES LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON. IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE, I WAS OUT OF STATE AND BMW WAS CLOSED SO I TURNED BACK. I DROVE APPROX 1 BLOCK TO A DRIVEWAY WHERE I STOPPED AND CALLED MY HUSBAND TO SAY I WOULD NOT COME HOME UNTIL MY CAR COULD BE SEEN. I BEGAN TO DRIVE BACK TOWARDS LONGVIEW, TX. I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AT ABOUT 50 MPH MY CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE ENGINE MADE A LOAD NOISE AND THE RPM GAUGE WENT UP TO 7000 RPMS I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND NEEDED TO PULL OVER. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED AT APPROX 40 MPH I PUT THE CAR IN 4TH GEAR AND IT REDLINED AGAIN. I PUT IT BACK INTO NEUTRAL THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR. STILL COASTING IN TRAFFIC I GOT OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS I COULD . IT DIED ON TOP OF A BRIDGE WITH A NARROW SHOULDER. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHILE TALKING TO THEM I SEEN FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL AREA. WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I UNDID MY SEAT BELT OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND JUMPED OUT ONLY MY CELL IN HAND. THERE WAS A WALL OF FLAMES TALLER THAN ME I GOT BURNED GETTING AWAY FROM THE CAR I RAN THROUGH THE FLAMES INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE WHEN I HEARD THE 1ST EXPLOSION AND THE 2ND AS I RAN OFF OF THE BRIDGE. *TR
ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THIS SITUATION HAPPENS WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY ON HOT DAYS WITH THE AC RUNNING. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER THE SAME SCENARIO. *TR
I LESSEE A BMW 2009 3 SERIES VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 RFT 225/45R17 RUN-FLAT TIRES. I HAVE 9,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, PLUS THE TIRES ARE CUPPING SO BAD ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A BRIDGESTONE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE BUT HE CAN'T REPLACE THEM BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY TIRES IN 2005 ' 2007. THEY HAVE LOST A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THESE TIRES BEFORE, WHY CANT I GET MINE REPLACED? BY THEM'.. "THE LAWSUIT ALLEGES THAT DEFENDANTS SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND PRONE TO EXCESSIVE NOISE AND/OR IRREGULAR WEAR, RESULTING IN THE TIRES NEEDING FREQUENT REPLACEMENT AND CAUSING THE VEHICLES TO RIDE ROUGHLY." ...AND IT GOES ON A NATIONWIDE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT ('SETTLEMENT') HAS BEEN REACHED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC ('BMW NA'), BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLC ('BATO') AND BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION ('BRIDGESTONE') (COLLECTIVELY 'DEFENDANTS'), ACCORDING TO THE BMW BRIDGESTONE RUN FLAT TIRE RFT CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT NOTICE. THE BMW BRIDGESTONE RUN FLAT TIRE RFT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REPORTEDLY CONCERNS BMW 2006 AND 2007 3 SERIES VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 RFT 205/55R16 OR 225/45R17 RUN-FLAT TIRES ('TURANZA TIRES,' 'TURANZAS' OR 'TIRES'). THE BMW BRIDGESTONE RUN FLAT TIRE RFT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT (CHANDRAN V. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, ET AL., CASE NO. 2:08-CV-02619-KSH-PS) REPORTEDLY ALLEGES THAT DEFENDANTS SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND PRONE TO EXCESSIVE NOISE AND/OR IRREGULAR WEAR, RESULTING IN THE TIRES NEEDING FREQUENT REPLACEMENT AND CAUSING THE VEHICLES TO RIDE ROUGHLY. *TR
BMW 328I STALLS- NO POWER UPON TAKE OFF AND WHILE DRIVING. *TR
I OWN BMW 320D 2009, MY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE, AS MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE BY ITS SELF, AS I GO DOWN FROM SAY 75 MPH AND RELEASE THE BRAKES, SUDDENLY THE CAR SPEEDS UP AGAIN. THIS IS HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND BMW SAYS THIS WAS NOTHING I WAS ASSUMING THIS, AFTER COMPLAINED AND COMPLAINED, FINALLY AN IGINUER LOOKED AT MY CAR AND KEPT IT FOR A DAY, BUT ONLY TO SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND HAPPENING AND BMW DOES NOT REACT, AS I MENTIONED TOYOTA IN ONE OF MY LETTERS TO THEM, THEY ANSWERED ME ANGRY WITH WE NOT TOYOTA. TO THIS POINT I KEEP COMPLAINING ND COMPLAINING AND ALSO USE MY OTHER CAR MORE OFTEN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING HIS VEHICLE AT 9 AM HE RECEIVED A CALL AT 2 PM STATING THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WHEN HE WALKED OUTSIDE HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE POLICE ALSO RESPONDED AND FILED POLICE REPORT #2010-0000-122. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD EXHIBITED SEVERAL CRACKS VARYING IN SIZE FROM A HAIRLINE CRACK TO CRACKS THE SIZE OF A PENNY. THE DEALER ADVISED HE COULD NOT ASSIST AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO VARIOUS ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WOULD CONTINUE TO FIND CRACKS ON THE WINDSHIELD ON A DAILY BASIS. SHE BELIEVED THE WINDSHIELD TO BE DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,500. UPDATED 09/29/10. *LJ
2009 BMW 335I, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. 9500 MILES ON VEHICLE. ENGINE IS SLOW TO START. WHILE DRIVING AND RPM ABOVE 3000, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE REDUCES POWER SIGNIFICANTLY. IF PUMP WERE TO FAIL COMPLETELY, ENGINE WOULD DIE, LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM ON HIGHWAYS WITH DENSE TRAFFIC. AFTER READING INTERNET BLOGS ON VEHICLE, THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FOR BMW N54 ENGINES. SOME DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE PUMP REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH SAME OUTCOME EACH TIME. *TR
PAINT DEFECT ON NEW CAR, 2009 BMW , PURCHASED ON MARCH 2010. THE PAINT IS PEALING IN 4 PLACES. CAR PURCHASED NEW IN MARCH 2010. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS PEALING IS FROM A "EXTERNAL SOURCE". THIS IS NOT PLAUSIBLE AS PEALING IS IN 4 SPOTS, TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. BMWS OWN WARRANTY VENDOR FOR BODY WORK INDICATED THAT IS WAS "APPARENTLY A PAINT DEFECT ".THE BMW REGIONAL INSPECTOR SAID NO, AN EXTERNAL PROBLEM, DENYING WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ( PAINTING )DEFECT.. BMW, OFFERED, A "GOOD FAITH" ADJUSTMENT OF 50% OF REPAIR COST BUT IF IT IS A DEFECT IT SHOULD BE COVERED IN FULL AS PART OF THE WARRANTY. CLEARLY A NEW CARS PAINT ON A BMW SHOULD NOT BE PEELING IN A FEW MONTHS IN 4 PLACES AND BMW SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE AND COVER A PAINT DEFECT. *TR
Component Failure Cascade Risk
Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures
▸ Head gasket failure and engine overheating — EGR cooler failure is the leading cause of catastrophic engine failure on diesel engines
▸ Loss of brake assist and ABS in emergency — can significantly extend stopping distances
▸ Engine derate or no-start condition — DEF system failure puts vehicle into limp mode limiting speed to 5mph
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 88 total NHTSA complaints filed over 14 years, with the worst year being 2017 (17 complaints).
The amber reliability line averaged 96/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 88/100 in 2015.
Notably, despite 88 complaints on file, no recall has been issued — either the defect pattern has not met NHTSA's threshold for a formal campaign, or a recall may be forthcoming.
Red dots on the amber line flag 4 years (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015) where complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $37,429 (~$624/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2009 BMW X3 — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Market & Background Signals
Theft risk, fleet history, dealer patterns, and emissions compliance
BMW X3 has an elevated theft rate (3.5× average). Factor in higher comprehensive insurance costs.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
BMW has been fined $3M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Failure to submit required Early Warning Reports to NHTSA.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | WBXPC93439WJ30263 |
| Model Year | 2009 |
| Make | BMW |
| Model | X3 |
| Trim | xDrive30i |
| Vehicle Type | MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV) |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Horsepower | 230 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | BMW AG |
| Assembly City | GRAZ |
| Assembly Country | AUSTRIA |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | WBX |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 3 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | 9 |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | W |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | J30263 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 3 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 88 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 11/1/2026, 1:19:49 PM.