2004 BMW X3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
182
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
8
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 BMW X3
The 2004 BMW X3 has received a total of 182 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Seats (28 complaints), Air Bags (18 complaints), and Electrical System (17 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 BMW X3
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2004 BMW X3, potentially affecting up to 200,000 vehicles.
Recall 08V384000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 200,000 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM,...
Consequence: IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 BMW X3
182 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW X3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Odometer failed - unable to get this fixed!
AIRBAG LAMP REMIANS ON DUE TO FAILED PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT. HONOLULU BMW DEALER CLAIMS RECALL 08V384000 WAS PERFORMED JULY 18, 2008- WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME DATE LISTED IN THE RECALL AS BMW'S REPORT DATE TO NHTSA. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND PROCEDURE DID NOT GET PUBLISHED OR BEGIN FOR NEARLY A YEAR LATER. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ASKS THAT A SMALL STICKER BE AFFIXED ADJACENT TO THE VIN TAG- THERE IS NO STICKER, NOR IS THERE EVIDENCE OF A STICKER EVER HAVING BEEN THERE ( I KNOW WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAINTED.
AIRBAG LAMP REMIANS ON DUE TO FAILED PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT. HONOLULU BMW DEALER CLAIMS RECALL 08V384000 WAS PERFORMED JULY 18, 2008- WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME DATE LISTED IN THE RECALL AS BMW'S REPORT DATE TO NHTSA. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND PROCEDURE DID NOT GET PUBLISHED OR BEGIN FOR NEARLY A YEAR LATER. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ASKS THAT A SMALL STICKER BE AFFIXED ADJACENT TO THE VIN TAG- THERE IS NO STICKER, NOR IS THERE EVIDENCE OF A STICKER EVER HAVING BEEN THERE ( I KNOW WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAINTED.
AIRBAG LAMP REMIANS ON DUE TO FAILED PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT. HONOLULU BMW DEALER CLAIMS RECALL 08V384000 WAS PERFORMED JULY 18, 2008- WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME DATE LISTED IN THE RECALL AS BMW'S REPORT DATE TO NHTSA. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND PROCEDURE DID NOT GET PUBLISHED OR BEGIN FOR NEARLY A YEAR LATER. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ASKS THAT A SMALL STICKER BE AFFIXED ADJACENT TO THE VIN TAG- THERE IS NO STICKER, NOR IS THERE EVIDENCE OF A STICKER EVER HAVING BEEN THERE ( I KNOW WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAINTED.
The contact ownd a 2004 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, she dozed off behind the wheel when the vehicle crashed into the rear of a tow truck. As a result, the front end of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained an injury to the head and bodily soreness. Medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard however, the vehicle was then towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an air bag specialist and it was determined that the air bag was not connected. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the air bags failed to deploy due to minimal impact. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number 08V384000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact had not received a response back. The failure mileage was unknown.
Safety Rating for the 2004 BMW X3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 BMW X3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 BMW X3
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 BMW X3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SIB011219 — EQUIPMENT
Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Radiator Grille Upper and Lower Active Air Flaps to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date. 1. Air flap control (link) active, upper...
SIB-61-18-14 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BMW: IN SOME VEHICLES, WHEN THE K CAN2 WIRING IS SHORTED, NO COMMUNICATION WITH ANY CONTROL MODULES (BOX ELECTRONICS, TELEMATIC CONTROL MODULE,CAR ACCESS SYSTEM, RADIO/NAVIGATION, CENTRAL GATEWAY MODEL OR FOOTWELL MODULE) DURING VEHICLE TESTING, NO ENGAGEMENT OF TRANSMISSION GEARS, FAIL TO START, WHEN DRIVING, WILL STOP RUNNING. MODEL F25 (X3)....
SIB-12-15-11 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THERE ARE TROUBLE CODES STORED FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. NO DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. *RM
SIB-12-07-06 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP ILLUMINATED-FC 23F4 MAP THERMOSTAT. IN SOME VEHICLES HAVE INSUFFICIENT HEAT. E90, E91 (3 SERIES), E60, E61 (5 SERIES) 3/06 AND E83 (X3 SERIES) 9/08. *PE
SI-B-63-06-08 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
BMW: THE BULB-OUT WARNING IS DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *PE
SI-B-63-06-08 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BMW: THE BULB-OUT WARNING IS DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *PE
5420105 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
PANORAMIC ROOF WON'T CLOSE FROM THE VENT POSITION. *EH
840904 — EQUIPMENT
TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT (TCU) MISSING FROM VEHICLE, BUT NOT INCLUDED IN SERVICE ACTION. INCLUDES BMW 3 SERIES 2004. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 BMW X3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW X3
- 2004 BMW X3 (current)
- 2005 BMW X3 — 144 complaints
- 2006 BMW X3 — 176 complaints
- 2007 BMW X3 — 132 complaints
- 2008 BMW X3 — 90 complaints
- 2009 BMW X3 — 23 complaints