KnownCarProblems2011 BMW X3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 113 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW X3, most often about the engine (47% of complaints, typically around 88,000 miles). It is 5th of 23 X3 model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW X3 problems
Engine
53 complaints · 47%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
It has first caused check engine light own with a fault code, then different electrical components started affecting including lights, brakes , acceleration, pickup, speed control while driving . I already repaired twice out of pocket as it was a pickup and check engine light on issue with code p2096 which involves…
While driving on a motorway at moderate speeds of about 45 MPH, vehicle started throwing dynamic stability control, engine check light and traction control deactivation warnings and started cutting out power to the wheels although the engine continued to idle smoothly. Stranded on the motorway for a while and then…
Transmission
23 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2011 bmx X3. While parked, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, a message in the instrument panel indicated that the maximum drive train output was not available. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the cause of the…
BMW X3 xdrvie35i power train malfunction showed up very frequently while I drove on highway, shuddering violently and I had to stop the vehicle. This problem became a serious issue lately that I could no longer drive my X3 anymore. I made an appointment at a local bnw dealership and hope they would take care of it.
Electrical
22 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: starter assembly.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts and the following warning message appeared: "drive train malfunction not running at full capacity, reduce and drive moderately". The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the…
Junction box failure. I started having all types of random electrical problems. Wipers come on at random. Door locks, back windows, and turn signals won't work when this happens. I read that this issue was happening in other models, but don't see that the BMW X3 itself wasn't called out. Had the issue looked at by a…
Steering
21 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. While driving various speeds, the steering became difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the automatic transmission steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA…
While driving, the steering failed suddenly where I was unable to steer. It became locked. It said I had a chassis stabilization malfunction. The steering wheel also appeared. I pulled over and turned the car off. After a few minutes the system reset and I was able to drive again. It became very frequent where it was…
Lights
10 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles.
3 out of the 4 LED tail lights have stop working. The car did not gave me any notice of the tail lights failing. While driving on a highway, I was stopped by a police officer and given a warning. On further research, there is a design flaw within the tail light system that will cause it to fail. It seems BMW already…
The motherboard in the vehicles rear tail lights and reverse lights goes bad which will cause the LED lights to go out. There is no way to replace the LED lights without replacing the whole light assembly. This is an issue and it is known by BMW. Since owning my vehicle I have had to replace the lights 4 times. It is…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 6%Sua. I was in a frightening accident attempting to park my car on the rooftop of my 4 story office building. I pulled into a space on the edge of the lot and came to a complete stop. My foot was on the brake, I was about to put the car in park when the engine loudly and suddenly revved and the car surged forward up…
Experienced drive train malfunction warning along with shaking and limp mode numerous times which resulted in 2 repairs last year in the thousands only to find out it was due to the cam shaft bolts recall at the root of the initial cause of the failures that resulted. BMW was hesitant to pay initially but my husband…
Air bags
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: sensor.
The passenger restraint system is malfunctioning. This is a common problem that BMW X3 cars have. We have the sports edition and despite several attempts to fix the problem the sensor in the mat continue to indicate the air bag will not deploy if we have an accident despite how severe that accident is. We have…
Passenger restraint system warning inadvertently pops up when car is started and/or while driving regardless if someone is sitting in the passenger seat or not.
Speed control
5 complaints · 4%The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. While driving at approximately 65 MPH during heavy rain, the vehicle violently decelerated to 35 MPH without warning. The contact stated that the failure was similar to slamming down on the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed but the…
Sua. I was in a frightening accident attempting to park my car on the rooftop of my 4 story office building. I pulled into a space on the edge of the lot and came to a complete stop. My foot was on the brake, I was about to put the car in park when the engine loudly and suddenly revved and the car surged forward up…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 BMW X3 recalls
Engine
Risk: Loose or broken vanos unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the four vanos bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed december 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed june 19, 2024. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 series coupe, 1 series convertible, 3 series sedan, 3 series convertible, 2010-2011 3 series sportswagon, 3 series coupe, 5 series sedan, x3 xdrive 28i, x3 xdrive 30i, x5 xdrive30i, and z4 sdrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (vanos) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
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.
Child Seat: latch strap
Risk: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on july 13, 2016. 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 2011-2017, x3 sdrive28i, x3 xdrive28i and x3 xdrive35i, vehicles manufactured july 2, 2010 to april 14, 2016, 2015-2017 x3 xdrive28d vehicles manufactured march 10, 2014 to march 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xdrive28i, x4 xdrive35i and x4 xdrivem40i vehicles manufactured march3, 2014 to april 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the european-isofix-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: Sudden loss of power steering assistance could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during august 2011. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 x3 passenger vehicles manufactured from april 27, 2011, through june 8, 2011. A control module in the electric power steering (eps) unit may malfunction, resulting in a sudden loss of power steering assistance.
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 2011 BMW X3
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW X3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (53 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); transmission (23 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); electrical (22 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW X3 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 20, 2023 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the BMW X3?
- It is 5th of 23 X3 model years by number of complaints, with 113 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.