Known Recalls

Model year record

2004 BMW X3

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 183 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V384000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Vehicles affected
200,000
Reported to NHTSA
2008-08-05
Owners notified
2008-11-06

Defect description

BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.

Safety risk

IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seats2878,000 mi
Air bags1868,000 mi
Electrical system1748,600 mi
Air bags: frontal1165,000 mi
Vehicle speed control960,000 mi
Engine6155,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission6736 mi
Unknown or other6106,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler527,000 mi
Structure5120 mi
Engine and engine cooling480,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine427,000 mi
Exterior lighting448,600 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module3600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system378,000 mi
Power train375,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls368,000 mi
Visibility: windshield33,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition2120 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings228,000 mi
Service brakes2170,000 mi
Steering22,000 mi
Structure: body2140,500 mi
Suspension: rear242,000 mi
Wheels2170,000 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1107,215 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1120 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift183,434 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1120 mi
Latches/locks/linkages180,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1150 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit180,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders17,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system121,000 mi
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting118,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly118,000 mi
Structure: motorcycle: kickstand/center stand1100 mi
Suspension160,000 mi
Suspension: front175,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs157,000 mi
Tires1—
Tires: bead12,703 mi
Tires: sidewall113,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1125,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1101,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—

The 2005 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.