2008 BMW X3 Sav problems
The 2008 BMW X3 Sav has 74 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (41%) concerns air bags. Next are engine (14%) and fuel system (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 74 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 41% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 59,000 miles 47 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 9 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 9 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 47 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 59,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 78,000 miles (11 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving my 2008 BMW x3, the driver side heated seat was turned on, than shorted out, burned through the protective layers, a stinky smoke created, melted my leather seat, and partially burned my jeans and leg. Due to the year and miles on the vehicle, BMW would not fix any of the parts.
I left my car parked on the corner of elmhurst avenue and ithaca street in elmhurst, queens ny. Another car by the license plate of [xxx] a volkswagen was parked literally on my car. There was a clear impact and the car was left literally touching the back of my car. I have plenty of pictures as evidence.
Engine turned off on interstate 40 near greensboro, north carolina. Fortunate to be able to pull onto shoulder. Traveling close to 60MPH. Started right back up. This is third occurrence in past two months. Never a problem prior; almost two years of ownership. Very scary and dangerous. Please advise on if this is more common than the 40-60 cases I've read about online. What seems to be issue?
NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 . Almost a year and a half and still no resolution from BMW meanwhile we are at risk everyday. I would like to at least see a schedule for repair rather than them using attrition to mitigate their cost.