2004 BMW X3

138 complaints on file, page 1 of 7.

1. Filed Sep 6, 2025Failure Jul 30, 2025East Amherst, NYVehicle speed control

   Odometer failed - unable to get this fixed!

   NHTSA complaint 11685452
2. Filed Jul 25, 2023Failure Jul 24, 2023Honolulu, HIAir bags, Electrical system, Seats

   AIRBAG LAMP REMIANS ON DUE TO FAILED PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT. HONOLULU BMW DEALER CLAIMS RECALL 08V384000 WAS PERFORMED JULY 18, 2008- WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME DATE LISTED IN THE RECALL AS BMW'S REPORT DATE TO NHTSA. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND PROCEDURE DID NOT GET PUBLISHED OR BEGIN FOR NEARLY A YEAR LATER. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ASKS THAT A SMALL STICKER BE AFFIXED ADJACENT TO THE VIN TAG- THERE IS NO STICKER, NOR IS THERE EVIDENCE OF A STICKER EVER HAVING BEEN THERE ( I KNOW WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAINTED.

   NHTSA complaint 11534460
3. Filed Nov 1, 2022Failure Feb 1, 2020Fontana, CAAir bagsCrash1 injured

   The contact ownd a 2004 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, she dozed off behind the wheel when the vehicle crashed into the rear of a tow truck. As a result, the front end of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained an injury to the head and bodily soreness. Medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard however, the vehicle was then towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an air bag specialist and it was determined that the air bag was not connected. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the air bags failed to deploy due to minimal impact. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number 08V384000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact had not received a response back. The failure mileage was unknown.

   NHTSA complaint 11491797
4. Filed Jan 27, 2022Failure Dec 1, 2021Fergus Falls, MNAir bags, Front passenger

   The airbag light is on our BMW and my 16 years daughter is driving this car. I cannot believe that BMW did not issue a recall. According to Repair Pal: "What are the symptoms of a bad Air Bag Occupant Sensor? Failing occupant sensors can show one of two symptoms. They may stay on at all times, causing the passenger airbags to stay active even when a passenger is not present. Also, they may not operate at all, which prevents the airbags from activating when a passenger is seated in that seating position. Also, for most systems, the airbag or SRS warning light will illuminate on the instrument cluster, prompting the driver to service the system.

   NHTSA complaint 11449192
5. Filed Jul 8, 2020Failure Jul 8, 2020168,000 milesDenmark, WIEngine, Power train, Unknown or otherFire

   CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WITHIN SECONDS, SMOKE HAD ENGULFED THE ENGINE BAY. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN A FEW MINUTES.

   NHTSA complaint 11338163
6. Filed Mar 2, 2020Failure Feb 25, 2020Fontana, CAAir bagsCrash

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHE FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TOW TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE PULLED OVER AFTER THE IMPACT WOKE HER UP. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CRASH WAS A FRONT END COLLISION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). *DT*JB

   NHTSA complaint 11315666
7. Filed Feb 15, 2020Failure Feb 14, 2020200,000 milesRiver Rouge, MIEngineCrash

   WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I COULDN'T CONTROL IT OR STOP IT WHILE PUSHING HEAVILY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OR ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE.

   NHTSA complaint 11309334
8. Filed Jan 7, 2020Failure Sep 25, 2017Kirkwood, PAUnknown or other

   WATER SEEPS INTO THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN LOCATION AND CAUSES A MOLD EFFECT DUE TO SATURATION OF THE FLOOR IN THE BACK PASSENGER AREA. DOOR AND SUNROOF WEATHERSTRIPPING HAVE BEEN PROFESSIONALLY CHECKED AND DEEMED NOT THE CAUSE.

   NHTSA complaint 11297731
9. Filed Jan 7, 2020Failure Jan 4, 2020176,000 milesREX, GABody

   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 complaint 11297680
10. Filed Nov 24, 2018Failure Nov 23, 201878,000 milesCollege Park, MDSeats1 injured

    DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER BURNED SKIN AND SCORCHED LEATHER SEAT COVER WHEN TURNED ON.

    NHTSA complaint 11153549
11. Filed Nov 2, 2018Failure Nov 1, 201815 milesSAN Antonio, TXExterior lighting

    INSULATION ON WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS CRACKING AND FALLING OFF WIRING HARNESS CAUSING A SHORT AND BLOWN FUSE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET.

    NHTSA complaint 11144874
12. Filed Feb 27, 2018Failure Feb 22, 2018120,000 milesBoynton Beach, FLAir bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash1 injured

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE REVERSE GEAR, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND CRASHED INTO FIVE OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11075288
13. Filed Jan 23, 2018Failure Jan 23, 20185 milesRoanoke, VASeats

    SEAT HEATER ON DRIVERS SIDE IS BURNING THROUGH. IF LEFT ON IT WOULD BURN THROUGH CLOTHES AND BURN SKIN.

    NHTSA complaint 11064382
14. Filed Jan 19, 2018Failure Nov 7, 2017155,000 milesOswego, NYElectrical system, Engine

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. BURDICK BMW (5947 E CIRCLE DR, CICERO, NY 13039, (315) 459-6000) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 11063787
15. Filed Jan 9, 2018Failure Apr 28, 2017116,491 milesWest Linn, ORSeats

    DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING UNIT OVERHEATS WHEN ON HIGH SETTING, TO THE POINT OF BURNING SKIN THROUGH THE SEAT AND CLOTHING. LOWER LEFT LUMBAR AND SEAT BOTTOM APPEAR TO BE IMPACTED. 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.

    NHTSA complaint 11061525
16. Filed Nov 3, 2017Failure Sep 1, 2017Harriman, NYAir bags

    BMW UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO COMPLETE RECALL NO. 08V384: FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT RECALL AND WARRANTY COVERAGE EXTENSION. NO PARTS AVAILABLE, PARTS NOT ON ORDER, BMW USA NOT ORDERING PARTS FOR RECALL. NO TIMELINE GIVEN, TOLD TO CALL BACK IN TWO MONTHS.

    NHTSA complaint 11043094
17. Filed Jun 10, 2017Failure Jan 1, 2017116,000 milesGreenfield Center, NYAir bags

    THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES.

    NHTSA complaint 10994288
18. Filed May 12, 2017Failure May 11, 2017Merced, CAElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system

    VEHICLE FIRES.

    NHTSA complaint 10985032
19. Filed Dec 28, 2016Failure Dec 16, 20165 milesClarksburg, MDElectrical system, Seats

    DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED THE JACKET WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED IN THIS CAR. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE DEALERSHIP (SILVER SPRING BMW OF MD) REPLACED THE SEAT UNDER WARRANTY. IN THIS CASE GOT LUCKY IT DID NOT CATCH FIRE OR CAUSE ANY INJURY TO US. THIS SITUATION EASILY COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN A CAR FIRE. I WAS STUNNED TO HEAR HOW LITHELY BMW NA APPROACH TOWARDS MY CONCERN WHEN I CALLED TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. AT HIGHWAY SPEED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL SITUATION DUE TO DISTRACTION THIS BURN CREATED WORST CAR ON FIRE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10937989
20. Filed Sep 14, 2016Failure Nov 1, 200760,000 milesBowie, MDVehicle speed control

    MY 2004 BMW X3.0I HAS A HESITATION ON ACCELERATION. WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP, AND BEGIN TO ACCELERATE ON THE GAS PEDAL, LIGHT MOVING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT, THE CAR DOES A HORRIFIC AMOUNT OF HESITATING ON ACCELERATION, ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE IS COUGHING, AND DOES THIS EACH AND EVERY TIME I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PRESS THE GAS PEDDLE. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AS \I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER, 2007, TIL THIS PRESENT DAY, BUT KNOW ONE COULD SEEM TO FIX IT, UNTIL I REVIEWED THE QUESTION IN A BMW FORUM, AND HERE IS THE LINK THAT STATES THE REASON WHY: HTTP://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/7237/BMW/X3/BMW-X3-HESITATION-ON-ACCELERATION MY CAR HAS 192K, IS PAID FOR. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE ELSE TO LOOK FOR ANSWERS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR AT THIS TIME, BUT PAID 29K FOR THIS HIGH-END, EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. I AM WONDERING IF YOUR LOOK INTO THIS WITH BMW. WILL CORRECT THIS ISSUE AS A MANUFACTURERS ERROR BECAUSE I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON MY CAR. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN CORRECTING THIS ISSUE.

    NHTSA complaint 10906767