KnownCarProblems2008 BMW X3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW X3, most often about the air bags (49% of complaints, typically around 94,000 miles). It is 16th of 23 X3 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2008 BMW X3 problems
Air bags
32 complaints · 49%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles.
Received 2 recall notices from BMW USA 11/17 and 12/17 for issues with the front passenger seat occupant detection mat and the engine pcv valve heater. Contacted my local dealership to have them fixed. Was advised that they did not have authorization from the national office to perform the repairs. When questioned…
Summarydriver's front air bag: during air bag deployment cause the inflator to rupture. In an accident, the driver's front air bag module may produce excessive internal pressure that could
Engine
30 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles.
Nhtsa: please help, our 2008 (besides all lost time for the repaired recalls) our 2008 BMW X3 is suffering the exact as in the recall below; NHTSA 14v176000, the BMW dealer replaced the camshaft position sensors due to "engine problems"july 2020,miles 135,000 this did not fix the problem. That BMW dealer, nashua nh…
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X3. The contact received notification of the NHTSA campaign number: 22v119000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that after attempting to turn on the heat, the heat failed to properly operate. The contact stated that the heat was either too low or too hot. The contact was…
Seats
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: front assembly.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X3. While driving, the driver's seat heating element burned through the seat to the contact's clothes. The contact sustained a burn on the right side of his behind, which required medical attention. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not…
After turning on the driver's seat heater, it defaults to high, the left side seat bolster started to smoke. A few seconds later before my wife realized what was happening she felt her left arm and side getting a lot hotter than the rest of her seat. The seat heater then immediately burned a hole through the leather…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 8%Transmission
5 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X3. The contact recently purchased the vehicle and noticed that there was an oil leak. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to lauderdale BMW of pembroke pines (14800 sheridan st, pembroke pines, fl 33028, [phone]) where the contact was informed of NHTSA…
While driving, the 4x4 and break lights come on the dashboard, after a few miles of driving the power train can be felt to be failing/slipping, it is more noticeable when making a turn, according to the BMW dealership, the transfer case needs to be replaced, after some research, this seems to be a common failure with…
Electrical
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: seat heater.
My car has suddenly lost power in several occasions nearly causing an accident at 60 MPH on one occasion. When power is lost steering seizes up completely. This happens with absolutely no warning whatsoever & my car has started up as though nothing is wrong after. The second issue is so well known it has been labeled…
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH with the front driver's seat heater activated, the contact felt a sharp pain on the buttock and immediately leaned forward. The contact stated that upon touching the seat, the contact noticed that the seat heater had burned the seat…
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 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 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.
Full defect summary
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 degradat
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Questions about the 2008 BMW X3
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW X3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (32 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles); engine (30 complaints, typically around 130,000 miles); seats (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2008 BMW X3 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). 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?
- It is 16th of 23 X3 model years by number of complaints, with 66 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.