STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE
2025 BMW X3
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2025 BMW X3, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and steering categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 118 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 3 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 4 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 5 |
| Apr 2025 | 4 | 9 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 10 |
| Jun 2025 | 3 | 13 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 14 |
| Aug 2025 | 2 | 16 |
| Sep 2025 | 4 | 20 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 21 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 22 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 24 |
| Jan 2026 | 3 | 27 |
| Mar 2026 | 3 | 30 |
| May 2026 | 3 | 33 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 34 |
| Jul 2026 | 1 | 35 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance1322.8%
- Electrical1119.3%
- Steering814.0%
- Engine47.0%
- Visibility35.3%
- Interior & seats35.3%
- Exterior lighting35.3%
- Powertrain (other)35.3%
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
8 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.govSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
**NHTSA Complaint — 2025 BMW X3 M50 Category: Suspension / Vehicle Stability** Video Evidence: A video showing the body motion over a standard safety speed bump is available here: [[XXX]] Complaint Summary: I am reporting a suspension and stability concern with my 2025 BMW X3 M50. At very low speeds (under 5 mph), when driving over standard safety zone speed bumps, the vehicle exhibits excessive side to side body motion. After crossing the bump, the SUV rocks left to right at least twice before settling, even when all four wheels travel over the bump in a straight line. This behavior is repeatable and occurs on multiple similar speed bumps in my parking garage. The condition is significantly reduced in Sport mode, where the suspension feels tighter and more controlled. In Comfort mode, the rocking motion is pronounced and feels unstable. Dealer Visit: I brought the vehicle to the BMW Service Center in Port Chester, NY on XXXThe dealer documented the issue exactly as I described it: “At very low speeds under 5 mph the vehicle has excessive side to side body motion, feels unsettled, rocks back and forth twice before settling… The condition is significantly reduced in Sports mode.” Despite acknowledging the symptoms, the service manager stated that “the suspension is normal,” noted that there were “no Check Control Messages,” and reported that they “compared to another X3 M50 and vehicle feels the same.” No repairs were performed. Safety Concern: The side to side oscillation affects vehicle stability and driver control during low speed maneuvers, especially in confined areas such as parking garages. I am submitting this complaint to request further investigation into whether this suspension behavior is normal for this model or indicative of a potential defect in the suspension damping or stability control calibration. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11753386
- Incident
- May 1, 2026
Vehicle: 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive | VIN: [XXX] | Dealer: Weatherford BMW of Berkeley | No crash, no injury Complaint narrative: My 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive (VIN [XXX]) has an open, active safety recall. BMW of North America has confirmed to me in writing (Executive Customer Care case #[XXX], most recently June 18, 2026) that the remedy parts are not available, and it has provided no repair date or estimated availability. I first raised this in April 2026; it remains unrepaired. Because of the open recall, BMW Financial Services will not allow me to transfer or pay off my lease, yet I continue to be charged $631.98 per month for a vehicle I cannot transfer and that has an unremedied safety defect. BMW has not offered a loaner, interim payment relief, or a repair timeline. I am requesting that NHTSA note the extended unavailability of the recall remedy for this vehicle. The 2025 X3 30 xDrive is subject to multiple BMW safety recalls; at least one campaign — NHTSA 25V202000 (starter-generator / positive battery cable; risk of engine stall and fire) — was issued with an interim notice stating the remedy was not yet available and that a second notice would follow once the remedy is ready, which is consistent with what BMW has told me. I am seeking confirmation of the exact open campaign on my VIN and a timely, free remedy as required by federal law. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11745088
- Incident
- Apr 15, 2026
Subject: Supplemental Evidence for Existing NHTSA Complaint / ODI #11711973 I am submitting supplemental safety information for my existing NHTSA vehicle safety complaint, ODI #11711973, involving my 2025 BMW X3, VIN [XXX] . Since filing, I had an additional BMW of Sterling visit/repair estimate dated April 22, 2026, mileage 17,628, RO #[XXX]. The dealer documented additional concerns including rough acceleration/jerking during the first drive of the day, intermittent A/C not blowing cold air and randomly blowing warm air, tire/wear concerns, left rear tire tread/screw concern, rear tires worn to 3mm, and alignment recommendation. This information supplements my existing complaint involving repeated unresolved safety/electrical/system concerns, including steering/safety concerns, driver-assistance/cruise-control malfunction, tire-pressure/tire-detection issues, key/door/alarm detection issues, HVAC/defrost malfunction, and unintended movement/self-activation concerns. Please add this information and the attached repair estimate/photos/videos to ODI #11711973. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11739574
- Incident
- Apr 22, 2026
The headlights have a shadow half way down the windshield making it very difficult to see at night. We don't feel safe driving when it is dark out. We took it to the dealer the end of January they saw what we were talking about. One of the foreman drove it home at night. He saw what we were talking about but gave no solutions. We took it in again the shop foreman adjusted the headlights up. We drove it at night. The adjustment did not help. I have been in contact with BMW of North America. They have offered no solution.
- NHTSA ID
- 11737246
- Incident
- Oct 25, 2025
The contact's husband owns a 2025 BMW X3. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while retrieving items out of the vehicle's liftgate, the liftgate door would independently shut while an individual was there. The contact stated that on one occasion, the liftgate door had pinned her against the vehicle and the contact used excessive force to open the liftgate. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on three separate occasion; however, they failed to duplicate the failure after each visit. The contact stated that she fears using the vehicle due to the liftgate failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact made multiple attempts to reach the manufacturer; however, both the contact and the manufacturer repeatedly missed each others phone calls. The contact eventually sent an email to the manufacturer; the contact had yet to receive a response to his email. The failure mileage was 1,500.
- NHTSA ID
- 11736492
- Incident
- Sep 15, 2025
- Mileage
- 1,500 mi
While actively driving at speed this loaner vehicle, the vehicle's Driving Assistance Professional Package (DAPP) completely deactivated without warning. This caused an immediate, unexpected loss of both adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping steering assistance, requiring sudden manual emergency intervention to maintain control of the vehicle and avoid a collision. This is a severe safety defect. The vehicle has been presented to an authorized BMW dealership twice for this exact failure. It is currently on its second repair attempt and has been out of service for over 20 consecutive days. The dealership and manufacturer have been unable to permanently resolve my personal vehicle this electronic/steering system malfunction.
- NHTSA ID
- 11727845
- Incident
- Mar 28, 2026
While actively driving at speed, the vehicle's Driving Assistance Professional Package (DAPP) completely deactivated without warning. This caused an immediate, unexpected loss of both adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping steering assistance, requiring sudden manual emergency intervention to maintain control of the vehicle and avoid a collision. This is a severe safety defect. The vehicle has been presented to an authorized BMW dealership twice for this exact failure. It is currently on its second repair attempt and has been out of service for about 30 consecutive days. It is stilll in the shop. The dealership and manufacturer have been unable to permanently resolve this electronic/steering system malfunction. Additionally, they gave me another 2025 BMW X3 VIN [XXX] which experienced the same problem yesterday 3/28/2026 while I was driving about 35 miles per hour on the freeway. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11727843
- Incident
- Mar 4, 2026
On Feb. 25th, 2026, while driving at high speeds (about 45 mph), the vehicle suffered a sudden and total loss of motive power. Diagnostic reports(DIACODE: D6121_00000000_01_901) later confirmed a failing 12V battery system with only 37% startability limit. This critical electrical failure coincided with the engine stalling, which resulted in the immediate impairment of electronic power steering and brake assist. This made the vehicle extremely difficult to control safely, creating a life-threatening emergency. Despite being a 2025 model with only ~11000 miles, the dealership has failed to provide 48B system diagnostic and root cause upon request and the vehicle has been out of service for over 20 days.
- NHTSA ID
- 11724957
- Incident
- Feb 25, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
POWER TRAIN
Shaft Return
ENGINE
Starter Generator Return
ENGINE
Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare cases itmay happen that stored fault memory codes (DTCs) and the MIL (warning light) are not automaticallydeleted even though the underlying malfunction has already been rectified. This does not comply with the statutory OBD specifications.
ENGINE
The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
If BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is active in the vehicle, once the customer exits the vehicle and a newkey cycle starts, the Intelligent Personal Assistant is deactivated and no longer available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare cases itmay happen that stored fault memory codes (DTCs) and the MIL (warning light) are not automaticallydeleted even though the underlying malfunction has already been rectified. This does not comply with the statutory OBD specifications.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 54.5 |
| 2025Viewing | 35 | 8 | 0 | 62.7 |
| 2024 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 60.5 |
| 2023 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 57.3 |
| 2022 | 68 | 8 | 0 | 61.9 |
| 2021 | 104 | 11 | 0 | 60.5 |
| 2020 | 109 | 16 | 0 | 66.0 |
| 2019 | 166 | 10 | 0 | 59.8 |
| 2018 | 72 | 11 | 0 | 61.1 |
| 2017 | 92 | 6 | 2 | 64.3 |
| 2016 | 82 | 5 | 2 | 68.4 |
| 2015 | 105 | 7 | 2 | 68.9 |
| 2014 | 85 | 6 | 2 | 61.7 |
| 2013 | 226 | 7 | 2 | 62.2 |
| 2012 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 56.5 |
| 2011 | 112 | 4 | 1 | 55.2 |
| 2010 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 2009 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 58.6 |
| 2008 | 66 | 3 | 0 | 52.7 |
| 2007 | 98 | 3 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2006 | 143 | 2 | 2 | 61.9 |
| 2005 | 103 | 2 | 2 | 62.8 |
| 2004 | 138 | 1 | 1 | 52.7 |
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.