RoadVitals

2004 BMW X3 Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
8
Latest Jan 7, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 138 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 BMW X3 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Jan 7, 2020

WHILE DRIVING MY SUNROOF FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE AND SHATTERED INTO PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR ON A CITY STREET

NHTSA ID
11297680
Incident
Jan 4, 2020
Mileage
176,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 23, 2013

THERE WAS A VERY MILD RAIN LAST TWO DAYS IN MADISON. NOW MY CAR HAS CENTRAL LOCK PROBLEM AND ALSO WET FLOOR. I'M HAPPY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR WHILE IT WAS RAINING. I READ OVER THE INTERNET THAT MANY BMW X3 HAVE THIS WATER LEAKAGE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. A WET INTERIOR AND A LIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND YOU KNOW WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10526357
Incident
Jul 22, 2013
Mileage
140,500 mi
Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed Jul 11, 2013

I WAS DRIVING THE 405 FWY S CLOSE TO LAX WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD LIKE WIND BLOWING INSIDE MY CAR THEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND THAT SOMETHING FELL OR THINKING THAT MY CAR MUST HAVE STEPPED ON SOMETHING I LOOKED AT THE WINDOWS AT THE BACK SEAT AND BOTH ARE CLOSED THEN I SAW THE DRIVER OF ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME A SPORT CONVERTIBLE BMW TRIED TO SIGNAL SOMETHING TO ME WHEN I LOOKED AT MY RIGHT SIDE VIEW MIRROR WHILE I WAS DRIVING I SAW A TIRE LYING AT THE FREEWAY,I KNEW AT THAT TIME THAT IT WAS MY SPARE TIRE/COMPACT WHEEL THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE CARGO AREA ON THE FLOOR OF A VEHICLE. I TRIED TO EXIT ON THE NEAREST GAS STATION, SAFELY PARKED AS SOON AS I WAS WALKING TOWARDS THE BACK OF MY CAR TO CHECK I IMMEDIATELY SAW THE COMPARTMENT TIRE TOUCHING THE GROUND AND THE TIRE IS GONE. THE HANDLE IS SUPPOSED TO BE SCREWED AND MOUNTED APPARENTLY GOT LOOSE..HOW IT HAPPENED I DON'T KNOW, THE CABLE IS CUT. I STRONGLY SUGGEST BMW SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS TOTALLY DANGEROUS MATTER, GOOD THING THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS ALERT AND WHEN SHE SAW THE TIRE FALLING FROM IT'S COMPACT SHE IMMEDIATELY CHANGE LANE AND SIGNALED ME BY POINTING HER FINGER AT MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524471
Incident
Jul 11, 2013
Mileage
125,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical+1 more
Filed Jan 24, 2012

ON JANUARY 23, 2012 AFTER A WHOLE WEEKEND OF DOWNPOUR RAIN, I GET INTO MY X3 TO NOTICE WATER ON THE CENTER CONSOLE (NEAR MY CUP HOLDER) I LOOK UP AND NOTICE THE WATER IS DRIPPING FROM THE TOP MIDDLE CONSOLE (WHERE THE MOON ROOF CONTROL, AIR BAG BUTTON AND SOS CALL BUTTON ARE LOCATED). NOT ONLY WAS IT DRIPPING WATER BUT THE WHOLE AREA AROUND BUT IT WAS SOAKED AND WET. AFTER READING ABOUT THIS ON-LINE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE AND ARE EXPERIENCING THIS WATER LEAK PROBLEM, I REALIZED I NEED TO CHECK THE OTHER AREAS PEOPLE MENTION THEY HAD WATER LEAKS. THAT'S WHEN I CHECKED THE FLOOR ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AND TO MY SURPRISE THE DRIVER SIDE HAD MORE WATER THAN WHAT I COULD EVER IMAGINE, IT WAS DRENCHED. SO NOW THAT I HAVE ALL THIS WATER IN MY CAR IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS CAUSED SOME PROBLEMS WITH MY SOS BUTTON. WITHOUT ME TOUCHING IT, IT TRIES TO CALLS AND DOESN'T GET A CONNECTION. IT READS BMW PHONE INACTIVE AND IT KEEPS MAKING A NOISE THAT COMES THROUGH THE SPEAKERS. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT LIGHT FROM THE MIDDLE TOP CONSOLE IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. I AM SURE I'M GOING TO END UP WITH A LOT MORE ELECTRICAL, LIGHTING PROBLEMS THAN JUST THESE FEW. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND FIX BY BMW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10445065
Incident
Jan 23, 2012
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical+3 more
Filed Aug 21, 2007

I PURCHASED A 'CERTIFIED" BMW 330I IN DECEMBER OF 2006 AND HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED, INSTRUMENT CARRIER REPLACED, BOTH PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED, SUNROOF REPAIRED, HEADLINER REPAIRED (IT JUST FELL DOWN ONE DAY). THE CAR WON'T START RIGHT UP, AND WHEN IT DOES IT RUNS REAL HARD AND THE RPM GOES UP SUDDENLY, THE CAR TAKES A MINUTE BEFORE IT WILL EVEN MOVE & THEN IT DOES SO FAST! I HAVE HAD IT IN SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS COMPLAINT AND THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER ISN'T SHOWING ANYTHING, SO IT WILL HAVE TO GET WORSE BEFORE THEY CAN DIAGNOSE IT. WOW! I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 8 MOS. AND I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER. I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW THEY DETERMINE A CAR TO BE CERTIFIED? IT SURE DOESN'T SEEM AS THOUGH IT WAS CHECKED TOO THOROUGHLY TO ME. AND OH DID I MENTION I HAD TO TAKE IT TO GOODYEAR TODAY FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES, THAT BMW WOULDN'T COVER. THANKS GOODYEAR AT LEAST YOU STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCTS! THIS IS MY 2ND BMW AND MY LAST! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10200356
Incident
Aug 20, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Jul 12, 2005

SIDESTAND FOR MOTORCYCLE IS BENT SO FAR THAT YOU CAN'T GET THE BIKE OFF OF THE STAND IT LEANS OVER SO FAR. IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA ID
10128468
Incident
May 30, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Jul 8, 2005

DT: BMW MOTORCYCLE R1200CL, 2004 PURCHASED NEW, SIDE STAND IS BENDING THE FRAME, CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO BEND OVER FURTHER AND FURTHER. MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE FRAME. THIS MOTORCYCLE MODEL HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10124832
Incident
Jun 3, 2005
Mileage
100 mi
Body & structureHeating & air conditioningElectrical+1 more
Filed Aug 6, 2004

MULTIPLE ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS FROM DAY OF PURCHASE. FUEL GAUGE PROBLEMS/AIR CONDITIONING SHUT DOWN AND SLOWING/DASHBOARD MALFUNCTIONED, CUMULATING IN FAILURE OF IGNITION. 3 DAYS LATER, BATTERY INDICATED A GREEN SENSOR, THEREFORE ASSUMPTION ELECTRONIC FAILURE OCCURRED ELSEWHERE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10086340
Incident
Aug 3, 2004
Mileage
120 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .