2005 BMW X3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
144
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2005 BMW X3
The 2005 BMW X3 has received a total of 144 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Seats (43 complaints), Air Bags (25 complaints), and Electrical System (18 complaints).
Recalls for the 2005 BMW X3
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2005 BMW X3, potentially affecting up to 200,675 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 →Recall 07E069000 — EQUIPMENT
| 675 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BMW BIKE CARRIERS, P/N 82110393954, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 2005 BMW X3 AND X5 VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
Consequence: WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH POINT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A SEVERE INJURY TO THE USER'S FINGER OR HAND.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 800-831-1117.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2005 BMW X3
144 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW X3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 43 | 0 | 15 | 11 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 25 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 18 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptivemobility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Electric | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfront | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestreadbelt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2005 BMW X3. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact read the owner’s manual and saw that the failure indicated that the driver’s side seat belt receiver was faulty. The dealer was made aware of the failure and ordered the driver’s side seat belt receiver replacement part. The dealer originally informed the contact that the repair would be free of charge but later informed the contact that she had to pay for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND TAKING MY OTHER CAR WITH IT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PARKED AFTER WASHING THE CARPETS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED ON MAY 28, 2019. LEITH PORSCHE (700 AUTOPARK BLVD, CARY, NC 27511) DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE CONTACT SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,700.
RIVER'S SEAT HEATING UNIT OVERHEATS WHEN ON HIGH SETTING, TO THE POINT OF BURNING SKIN THROUGH THE SEAT AND CLOTHING. LOWER LEFT LUMBAR . PER SERVICE SHOP, THE SEAT HEATER GRID IS BROKEN, CAUSING 40 DEGREE HIGHER TEMPERATURES THAN NORMAL IN THE LEFT LEG AREA. ONGOING ISSUE, NOT A SINGLE OCCURRENCE
ALL OTHER 2005 BMW X3 HAVE A RECALL EXCEPT FOR MINE. I HAVE HAD MY AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON TWICE. I HAVE HAD MY SEAT SENSOR ON MY PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED ONCE. I FEEL LIKE THE RECALL SHOULD COVER MY VEHICLE.
Safety Rating for the 2005 BMW X3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 BMW X3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 BMW X3
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2005 BMW X3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SI-B-63-06-08 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
BMW: THE BULB-OUT WARNING IS DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 BMW X3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW X3
- 2004 BMW X3 — 182 complaints
- 2005 BMW X3 (current)
- 2006 BMW X3 — 176 complaints
- 2007 BMW X3 — 132 complaints
- 2008 BMW X3 — 90 complaints
- 2009 BMW X3 — 23 complaints
- 2010 BMW X3 — 41 complaints