2004 BMW X3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

182

Owner Complaints

18 Crashes 16 Fires

1

Recall

ACTIVE 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...

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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.

Seats
Complaints: 28 6 Fires 9 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 18 5 Crashes 3 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 17 1 Crash 2 Fires 2 Injuries
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 11 1 Crash 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 8 4 Crashes 2 Injuries
Engine
Complaints: 6 1 Crash 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 6
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 6 1 Fire
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
Complaints: 5 5 Fires 2 Injuries
Structure
Complaints: 5
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 4
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 4
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
Complaints: 3
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Power Train
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Fire
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Injury
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Steering
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Structurebody
Complaints: 2
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 2
Wheels
Complaints: 2
Air Bagssensoroccupant Classificationfront Passenger
Complaints: 1
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagefloor Shift
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumwheel Cylinders
Complaints: 1
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagesrodrelayconnecting
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Structuremotorcyclekickstandcenter Stand
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearspringscoil Springs
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Tiresbead
Complaints: 1
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11685452 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | | N/A miles
Odometer failed - unable to get this fixed!
#11534460 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
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.
#11534460 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
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.
#11534460 | SEATS | | N/A miles
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.
#11491797 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
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.

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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

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Other BMW Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report