Model year record

2007 BMW X3

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 134 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V017000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected: 59,965
Reported to NHTSA: 2020-01-15
Owners notified: 2020-03-11

Defect description

BMW 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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V683000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)

Component: Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected: 740,561
Reported to NHTSA: 2017-10-30
Owners notified: 2018-06-18

Defect description

BMW 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.

Safety risk

An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V605000

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification

Component: Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected: 85,302
Reported to NHTSA: 2017-09-28
Owners notified: 2018-06-18

Defect description

BMW 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.

Safety risk

Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owner complaints

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

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Air bags	37	100,000 mi
Engine	25	105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	14	58,000 mi
Seats	13	112,520 mi
Unknown or other	12	90,000 mi
Electrical system	9	112,520 mi
Power train	6	69,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	3	114,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	2	14,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	2	122,000 mi
Exterior lighting	2	114,000 mi
Steering	2	—
Visibility/wiper	2	69,000 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger	1	—
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	2 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler	1	124,000 mi
Service brakes	1	—
Suspension	1	110,000 mi

The 2006 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2008 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.