2009 BMW X3 problems and complaints

Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW X3. The most-reported areas: Air Bags (34), Electrical System (16), Engine (8).

Key takeaways

  • 88 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 4 involve a crash, 7 a fire, 9 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Air Bags3439%
Electrical System1618%
Engine89%
Fuel/Propulsion System78%
Seats78%
Engine And Engine Cooling67%
Power Train56%
Unknown Or Other56%
Exterior Lighting56%
Fuel System56%
Seat Belts45%
Service Brakes33%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2009 BMW X3 4-DR w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Power Train,electrical System,engine - filed 2026-08-07

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 t...

Electrical System,unknown Or Other - filed 2024-11-19

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 dep...

Suspension,electrical System,service Brakes - filed 2024-05-28

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.

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More for the 2009 BMW X3

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.