NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2007–2012

BMW X3 SAV recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 274 owner complaints for the BMW X3 SAV, covering model years 2007 to 2012. The 2007 model year drew the most complaints (160), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW X3 SAV VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

3 recall campaigns on file
274 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
6 model years with data (2007–2012)

most complaints: 2007 (160 for that model year)
top component: Air Bags (98 complaints)
latest recall 22V119000 (reported Mar 2, 2022)

8 complaints reporting a crash (2.9%)
24 complaints reporting a fire (8.8%)
20 complaints reporting an injury (7.3%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW X3 SAV complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2007 model year has the most complaints: 160 of 274, or 58.4%. Next come 2008 (56) and 2010 (23). The fewest are for 2012, with 6 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

BMW X3 SAV complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

BMW X3 SAV complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury
2007	160	5	20	18
2008	56	1	1	1
2009	16	0	2	0
2010	23	1	1	1
2011	13	0	0	0
2012	6	1	0	0
All model years	274	8	24	20

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW X3 SAV components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 98 complaints (35.8% of all 274), followed by Power Train (55) and Seats (50).

Components named most often in BMW X3 SAV complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in BMW X3 SAV complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Air Bags	98	35.8%
Power Train	55	20.1%
Seats	50	18.2%
Engine	37	13.5%
Electrical System	28	10.2%
Steering	11	4.0%
Structure	8	2.9%
Unknown or Other	8	2.9%
Vehicle Speed Control	8	2.9%
Fuel/Propulsion System	6	2.2%
Suspension	6	2.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling	5	1.8%
Service Brakes	4	1.5%
Fuel System, Gasoline	3	1.1%
Tires	3	1.1%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW X3 SAV recalls

3 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name X3 SAV, newest first. The 3 campaigns cover model years 2007 to 2011. The 2010 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

3 recall campaigns

BMW X3 SAV recall campaigns covering each model year
2007: 2 campaigns	2008: 2 campaigns	2009: 2 campaigns	2010: 3 campaigns	2011: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 22V119000
Reported Mar 2, 2022
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (PCV)
Model years 2007–2010
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence:
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy:
This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 16V071000
Reported Feb 5, 2016
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module
Model years 2007–2010
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence:
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 14V176000
Reported Apr 10, 2014
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Model years 2010–2011
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Consequence:
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW X3 SAV questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW X3 SAV have?

NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW X3 SAV, covering model years 2007 to 2012. The most recent, 22V119000, was reported on March 2, 2022 and is filed under “Engine and engine cooling”. The 2010 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which BMW X3 SAV model year has the most complaints?

The 2007 model year, with 160 of the 274 complaints in NHTSA’s file (58.4%). The next are 2008 (56) and 2010 (23). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW X3 SAV complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 98 complaints, or 35.8% of all 274. Power Train (55) and Seats (50) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW X3 SAV?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW X3 SAV complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 274 complaints, 8 report a crash, 24 a fire, 20 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.