KnownCarProblems2008 BMW X3 SAV Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW X3 SAV, most often about the air bags (52% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about X3 SAV model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 BMW X3 SAV problems
Air bags
29 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
Takata recall: after being notified that my x3 was under recall earlier this year, I still have not received any updates to the recall or alternative options to make my car safe again. I have reached out to niello BMW here in sacramento and they are unwilling to put me in a rental or otherwise accommodate my safety…
The passenger seat occupancy sensor is defective. This is part of the "seat mat", which is under recall. BMW sent an initial notice of recall in september of 2017. As of april 20, 2018 the parts are still not available to perform this recall. Over 7 months! No one at the dealer or BMW USA can give US a straight answer…
Engine
10 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles.
I brought my car into the dealership because it stalled and the check engine light came on briefly and shut off. The car was also hesitating on acceleration. The dealer determined the cause was a needed thermostat replacement. However, once under the car, the technician noted 3 of 4 engine mount bolts were "broken"…
While slowing down my car (BMW x3 year 2008)engine suddenly shut down. I pull over put it in park and it and re-start auto. This has happen a number of times. The last time was today 10/08/2016 while slowing down at a yield sign. Lucky for me there hasn't been an accident yet. This has happened a number of times on a…
Transmission
6 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
This vehicle is a BMW x3 3.0si. When the vehicle is in first gear, there is a severe hesitation in the transmission. When you try to accelerate, the transmission "thinks" about what gear it should be in. The vehicle hesitates, stalls slightly, and creeps along slowly before second gear catches. The rpms are erratic…
For nearly the entire time I have owned the vehicle I have had issues with the car jerking and lurching while accelerating in the lower RPM ranges. Of late this has become so bad I am afraid to drive the vehicle. The problem manifests itself mostly between 1,800 and 2,400 RPM with the most severe issues in the 2,200…
Seats
5 complaints · 9%Passenger seat alarm would go off constantly without anyone or anything in the seat. BMW replaced sensor under warranty. Problem appeared to be fixed until the following summer 2012 when alarm on seat would go off again on a regular basis. BMW refused to replace until complaint filed and I stated it was a driving…
Passenger seat alarm would activate for no apparent reason on a daily use. Under warranty seat pad was replaced. Reported same seat malfunction one month after warranty ran out and BMW agreed to pay for seat pad and I would have to pay for labor of $300.00. At this time seat no longer sounding alarm. Seat alarm would…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles.
For nearly the entire time I have owned the vehicle I have had issues with the car jerking and lurching while accelerating in the lower RPM ranges. Of late this has become so bad I am afraid to drive the vehicle. The problem manifests itself mostly between 1,800 and 2,400 RPM with the most severe issues in the 2,200…
Service engine soon light came on. Diagnosed at dealership that it was the dmtl pump that senses and gas leaks. I was told by service manager that it was out of warranty and I didn't have to replace it since I lived in pa in an area that didn't require it to work under our state inspections. The only problem was that…
Other or unspecified
4 complaints · 7%My car was on recall for a defective airbag. I was notified in march 2016. I was told by my dealer they would notify me when they had an airbag. When I didn't hear from them still by early august I asked for a loaner car as I no longer felt safe in my car because of the constant worry about the airbag. BMW instructed…
Suspension
3 complaints · 5%While driving at about 25 MPH on residential street, felt an unusual "bump", continued driving home with no apparent problem. Started car next morning and felt an unusual vibration and noise which disappeared when driving. Vibration at idle continued, two days later, after driving on freeway, I found a broken bolt…
I was informed by an independent BMW repair shop that the rear springs were broken. A subsequent visit to a BMW dealer confirmed this. I was also informed by both the independent shop and the dealer that this was a common problem with 3 series bmws. BMW of north america told me that this was not an item that would be…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 BMW X3 SAV recalls
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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,
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2008 BMW X3 SAV
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW X3 SAV?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (29 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); engine (10 complaints, typically around 79,500 miles); transmission (6 complaints, typically around 33,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 BMW X3 SAV have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 2, 2022 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the BMW X3 SAV?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about X3 SAV model year since 2000, with 56 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other BMW X3 SAV years
- 2007
- 2008