RoadVitals

2007 BMW X3 Sav

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
160
Latest Aug 31, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 2, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
25
21 injuries, 0 deaths reported

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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Mar 2, 2022
917,106 units potentially affected
The 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 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
The risk: 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.
The 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 recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Feb 5, 2016
840,000 units potentially affected
The 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 and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA21002OpenEngineering Analysis

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

AirbagsEngine
Filed Aug 31, 2018

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
Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2018

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
Engine
Filed Mar 15, 2018
Fire reported

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
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Feb 20, 2018

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
Airbags
Filed May 30, 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
Airbags
Filed May 25, 2017

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
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed May 11, 2017
Fire reported

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
Airbags
Filed May 2, 2017

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.

B410722

STRUCTURE

While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

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 “discharged battery” complaints.

B611305

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.

SIB-63-09-14

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

SIB-12-14-12

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

BMW X3 Sav by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012601
2011131134.9
2010233153.6
2009162153.8
2008562147.0
2007Viewing1602157.7

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.