ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
2007 BMW X3 Sav
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 160 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 BMW X3 Sav, most frequently naming the airbags, interior & seats and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 32 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2009 | 1 | 32 |
| Dec 2009 | 1 | 33 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 34 |
| Jul 2010 | 1 | 35 |
| Sep 2010 | 1 | 36 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 37 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 38 |
| Feb 2011 | 4 | 42 |
| Nov 2011 | 1 | 43 |
| Dec 2011 | 2 | 45 |
| Jan 2012 | 4 | 49 |
| Feb 2012 | 2 | 51 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 52 |
| Apr 2012 | 2 | 54 |
| Aug 2012 | 2 | 56 |
| Oct 2012 | 1 | 57 |
| Dec 2012 | 3 | 60 |
| Mar 2013 | 3 | 63 |
| Apr 2013 | 2 | 65 |
| May 2013 | 3 | 68 |
| Jun 2013 | 2 | 70 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 71 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 72 |
| Oct 2013 | 3 | 75 |
| Nov 2013 | 2 | 77 |
| Jan 2014 | 2 | 79 |
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 80 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 81 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 82 |
| Jul 2014 | 2 | 84 |
| Aug 2014 | 4 | 88 |
| Sep 2014 | 2 | 90 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 91 |
| Dec 2014 | 2 | 93 |
| Jan 2015 | 4 | 97 |
| Mar 2015 | 2 | 99 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 100 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 101 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 102 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 103 |
| Jan 2016 | 4 | 107 |
| Feb 2016 | 2 | 109 |
| Mar 2016 | 5 | 114 |
| Apr 2016 | 2 | 116 |
| May 2016 | 5 | 121 |
| Jun 2016 | 2 | 123 |
| Jul 2016 | 4 | 127 |
| Aug 2016 | 6 | 133 |
| Sep 2016 | 4 | 137 |
| Oct 2016 | 5 | 142 |
| Nov 2016 | 2 | 144 |
| Dec 2016 | 3 | 147 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 148 |
| Feb 2017 | 2 | 150 |
| Apr 2017 | 2 | 152 |
| May 2017 | 4 | 156 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 157 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 158 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 159 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 160 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags4121.1%
- Interior & seats3719.1%
- Transmission3116.0%
- Electrical2110.8%
- Engine2110.8%
- Powertrain (other)168.2%
- Driver assistance63.1%
- Heating & air conditioning52.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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 substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
MY VEHICLE IS UNDER TWO RECALLS: 17V605 17V683 AS RECOMMENDED, I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE BMW DEALER FOR THE RECALLS. THE DEALER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME STATING THAT THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. SINCE THAT TIME, I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES FROM BMW FOR THE SAME RECALL NUMBERS. YOUR DATABASE SHOWS THAT FOR BOTH RECALLS: "RECALL INCOMPLETE/REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE "REMEDY" IS "NOT YET AVAILABLE". CAN YOU TELL ME WHEN BMW PROJECTS A "REMEDY" TO BE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT BOTH RECALLS? IT SEEMS LIKE THE TECHNICAL RESOLUTION OF THESE ISSUES WOULD BE FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD, ALBEIT SOMEWHAT EXPENSIVE, FOR BMW TO PROCESS. THANK YOU- [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
- NHTSA ID
- 11123837
- Incident
- Dec 31, 2017
I RECIEVED A RECALL FOR PVC VALVE HEATER LAST YEAR DEC 2017 UNTIL NOW APRIL 20 2018 MY CAR IS NOT FIX AND I GET OVERHEAT WHEN MY CAR IS STUCK ON TRAFFIC.
- NHTSA ID
- 11089177
- Incident
- Apr 20, 2018
ALL FOUR ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS ARE SHEARED AND COMPLETELY BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT AND NO OTHER ISSUES I.E. ENGINE TAKEN OUT AND REUSAGE OF BOLTS, ETC. THE ENGINE WAS SITTING ON THE SURROUNDING CHASSIS. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE HEAD TO CRACK AND OIL LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST
- NHTSA ID
- 11079526
- Incident
- Mar 8, 2018
- Mileage
- 110,000 mi
TAKATA RECALL - MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL AND NO ONE HAS A REMEDY FOR IT. NOT THE DEALER, MANUFACTURER OR TAKATA. THE ISSUE IS THAT I NEED MY CAR AND THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE RECEIVED DOCUMENTATION FROM TAKATA AND BMW THAT THERE CURRENTLY IS NO REMEDY. MY QUESTION IS SINCE I AM STILL DRIVING MY CAR, IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, IS THE LIABILITY OF MY PASSENGER MY RESPONSIBILITY? I CANNOT LET THE CAR SIT PARKED UNTIL A REMEDY IS AVAILABLE AS THIS WOULD RUIN THE CARS ENGINE. BMW AND TAKATA HAVE NO REMEDY AND HAVE GIVEN NO ETA WHEN ONE WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. BMW WILL NOT GIVE ME A LOANER UNTIL THIS REMEDY IS FIXED. SO FOR NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR, WHICH IS UNFAIR AS I STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR INSURANCE AND REGISTRATION.
- NHTSA ID
- 11073937
- Incident
- Nov 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CHATTANOOGA BMW DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- NHTSA ID
- 10992201
- Incident
- Feb 9, 2016
I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE OVER A YEAR NOW. AND I HAVE RECEIVED THE NOTICE IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL. BUT STILL NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME IN REGARDS TO GET THIS ISSUE CORRECTED. WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW OF LAS VEGAS. STILL HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING AFTER COUPLE OF MONTHS.
- NHTSA ID
- 10991627
- Incident
- Oct 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WARMING UP, THE CONTACT STEPPED AWAY FOR A FEW MINUTES. UPON RETURNING, THE INTERIOR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WAS BURNING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED FOR THE SEAT TO COOL DOWN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC WIRING FOR THE SEAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10984819
- Incident
- Jan 4, 2017
- Mileage
- 58,000 mi
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- NHTSA ID
- 10983040
- Incident
- Feb 5, 2016
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE
While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
BMW: SOME VEHICLES, WITH 552 OPTION, ARE EXPERIENCING A MALFUNCTION OF LED HEADLIGHT ON ONE WHERE IT FLICKERS ON AN DOFF DURING DRIVING AND THE CONTROL CHECK MESSAGE IS INDICATING DEFECTIVE DRIVING LIGHT OR PARKING LIGHT. *PE
ENGINE
BMW: EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, A NOISE, LIKE RATTLING, COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PE UPDATED 10/31/12. *PE MODELS 2010 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. UPDATED 1/18/13. *PE UPDATED 4/18/2013. *KB UPDATED 05/13/2013 *JS UPDATED 5/19/15. *PE
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.