2008 BMW X3 SAV — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
74
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
4
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 BMW X3 SAV
The 2008 BMW X3 SAV has received a total of 74 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (29 complaints), Engine (9 complaints), and Seats (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 BMW X3 SAV
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2008 BMW X3 SAV, potentially affecting up to 1,757,106 vehicles.
Recall 22V119000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
| 917,106 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 16V071000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 840,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 BMW X3 SAV
74 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW X3 SAV. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssensoroccupant Classification | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. THE Q AND A PART OF THE NOTICE INDICATES NO ONE SHOULD SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THIS IS FIXED! WHY IS BMW BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO DELAY FIXING THIS SAFETY DEFECT? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE NHTSA IS DOING TO MAKE BMW REPAIR THIS IN A TIMELY MANNER!
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 AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. THE Q AND A PART OF THE NOTICE INDICATES NO ONE SHOULD SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THIS IS FIXED! WHY IS BMW BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO DELAY FIXING THIS SAFETY DEFECT? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE NHTSA IS DOING TO MAKE BMW REPAIR THIS IN A TIMELY MANNER!
I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO BLOOMFIELD NJ DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN 2013, 2014, 2015 DUE TO VEHICLES INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS SWIFTLY, RMP GOING TO 34,000 AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING GEARS. I DRIVE ABOUT 6,000MILES PER YEAR SOMETIMES LESS. ALL DEALER WOULD SAY "VEHICLE PERFORMS AS DESIGNED"....OR "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". AROUND JUNE 20, 2016 WHEN IN THE DRIVEWAY I PUT GEAR IN REVERSE BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I CALLED BMW DEALER DESCRIBING THE INABILITY OF MY CAR MOVING IN REVERSE DEALER REPRESENTATIVE STATED ITS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TRA-PAR TRANSMISSIONS IN BELLEVILLE NJ ON JUNE 23, 2016 CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND REPLACED IT JUNE 27, 2016 FOR $ 3, 092.19 !!! COME TO FIND OUT THROUGH READING COPIES OF RECEIPTS DEALER HAD NOT DESCRIBED ISSUES AS THERE WERE ON THEIR WORK ORDERS! AFTER I READ MOST OF THEM, THEY DON'T EVEN MENTION THE TRUE REASON WHY THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN ! I'M VERY DISGUSTED WITH THEM AND I FIND BMW DEALER STALLING TACTICS AND DECEPTION CRIMINAL.
LAST WEEK DASH 4X4 LIGHT COMES ON A,UDIBLE RAPID CLICKING SOUND COMES FROM REAR JUST AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF...I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO WEST PATERSON MOTORS IN WOODLAND PARK, NJ FOR DIAGNOSTICS. MECHANIC STATES COMPUTER CODES INDICATE IT'S TRANSFER CASE FAILURE, AND TO REPLACE IT COSTS OVER $ 2,600.00 ! HOW DOES THE VEHICLE SUCH AS BMW GETS AWAY WITH SUCH POOR QUALITY, PARTS THAT FAIL SO SOON, SO EXPENSIVE? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? PLEASE RECALL TRANSFER CASE PLEASE, THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 85,000 MILES ON ODOMETER YET ...
RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED IN NOV 2017. DEALER HAS YET TO REPAIR. IS THIS LENGTH OF DELAY ACCEPTABLE?
Safety Rating for the 2008 BMW X3 SAV
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 BMW X3 SAV in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 BMW X3 SAV
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 BMW X3 SAV. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SIB-12-05-11 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW: A SOFTWARE ERROR IS CAUSING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT OR CHECK GAS CAP LIGHT TO COME ON ALONG WITH STORED TROUBLE CODES. *RM
SI-B-65-16-08 — AIR BAGS
BMW VEHICLE: AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND FAULT CODE A1 IS STORED. A LOW VOLTAGE CONDITION CAUSED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR POSITION DATA TO BE LOST. THE BATTERY MAY HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED OR DISCONNECTED. (MODEL E83). *PE
SIB-12-17-07 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BMW VEHICLE: ENGINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE; LACK OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING; ENGINE MAY CRANK TOO LONG BEFORE STARTING; LOSS OF POWER AT IDLE OR WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. E83 (X3) MODELS. *PE
SIB-12-17-07 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW VEHICLE: ENGINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE; LACK OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATING; ENGINE MAY CRANK TOO LONG BEFORE STARTING; LOSS OF POWER AT IDLE OR WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. E83 (X3) MODELS. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 BMW X3 SAV
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW X3 SAV
- 2007 BMW X3 SAV — 195 complaints
- 2008 BMW X3 SAV (current)
- 2009 BMW X3 SAV — 22 complaints
- 2010 BMW X3 SAV — 27 complaints
- 2011 BMW X3 SAV — 18 complaints
- 2012 BMW X3 SAV — 7 complaints