Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2026.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 X3 | 22 | 2 |
| 2025 X3 | 38 | 9 |
| 2024 X3 | 42 | 3 |
| 2023 X3 | 15 | 4 |
| 2022 X3 | 83 | 7 |
| 2021 X3 | 113 | 10 |
| 2020 X3 | 110 | 16 |
| 2019 X3 | 171 | 10 |
| 2018 X3 | 76 | 11 |
| 2017 X3 | 92 | 6 |
| 2016 X3 | 82 | 5 |
| 2015 X3 | 105 | 7 |
| 2014 X3 | 86 | 6 |
| 2013 X3 | 226 | 7 |
| 2012 X3 | 42 | 2 |
| 2011 X3 | 113 | 4 |
| 2010 X3 | 32 | 4 |
| 2009 X3 | 19 | 3 |
| 2008 X3 | 66 | 3 |
| 2007 X3 | 98 | 3 |
| 2006 X3 | 143 | 2 |
| 2005 X3 | 103 | 1 |
| 2004 X3 | 138 | 1 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine456
- Electrical system420
- Air bags305
- Unknown or other234
- Power train192
- Engine and engine cooling191
- Seats168
- Structure118
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 204 X3 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 83 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 2 |
| 2022 | 12 | 9 |
| 2021 | 18 | 7 |
| 2020 | 21 | 6 |
| 2019 | 21 | 5 |
| 2018 | 5 | 2 |
| 2017 | 21 | 8 |
| 2016 | 7 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 | 1 |
| 2014 | 10 | 3 |
| 2013 | 10 | 7 |
| 2012 | 9 | 2 |
| 2011 | 9 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 | 6 | 2 |
| 2007 | 19 | 14 |
| 2006 | 10 | 3 |
| 2005 | 7 | 3 |
| 2004 | 6 | 4 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 10 model-year variants; 8 of 10 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 BMW X3 SUV N/A AWD | ★★★★☆ | 16.9 % |
| 2025 | 2025 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 16.9 % |
| 2024 | 2024 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.1 % |
| 2023 | 2023 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.1 % |
| 2022 | 2022 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.1 % |
| 2021 | 2021 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.1 % |
| 2020 | 2020 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.1 % |
| 2019 | 2019 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.1 % |
| 2017 | 2017 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 16.9 % |
| 2016 | 2016 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 16.9 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 23 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 7.9–13.2 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | X3 30 xDrive · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 8.8 | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| 2025 | X3 xDrive30i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 8.8 | 7.1 | 8.1 |
| 2024 | X3 xDrive30i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.0 | 8.4 | 9.9 |
| 2023 | X3 xDrive30i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.0 | 8.4 | 9.9 |
| 2022 | X3 xDrive30i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.0 | 8.5 | 9.9 |
| 2021 | X3 xDrive30i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 10.2 | 8.2 | 9.3 |
| 2020 | X3 xDrive30i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 10.0 | 8.2 | 9.2 |
| 2019 | X3 xDrive30i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 10.8 | 8.0 | 9.6 |
| 2018 | X3 xDrive30i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 10.8 | 8.0 | 9.5 |
| 2017 | X3 xDrive28d · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Diesel | 8.7 | 7.1 | 8.0 |
| 2016 | X3 xDrive28d · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Diesel | 8.6 | 6.9 | 7.9 |
| 2015 | X3 xDrive28d · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Diesel | 8.6 | 6.9 | 7.9 |
| 2014 | X3 xDrive28i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.2 | 8.5 | 10.0 |
| 2013 | X3 xDrive28i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 10.9 | 8.3 | 9.7 |
| 2012 | X3 xDrive28i · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 9.3 | 11.0 |
| 2011 | X3 xDrive28i · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 12.5 | 9.3 | 11.0 |
| 2010 | X3 xDrive28i · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 9.8 | 12.0 |
| 2009 | X3 xDrive 30i · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 9.9 | 12.0 |
| 2008 | X3 3.0i · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 9.8 | 12.0 |
| 2007 | X3 3.0i · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 9.9 | 12.0 |
| 2006 | X3 · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 15.2 | 10.5 | 13.1 |
| 2005 | X3 · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 15.2 | 10.5 | 13.1 |
| 2004 | X3 · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 15.4 | 10.4 | 13.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
5,641 X3 cars are on the New Zealand register; 43% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 199 | 199 | 0 |
| 2025 | 242 | 242 | 0 |
| 2024 | 109 | 107 | 2 |
| 2023 | 123 | 117 | 5 |
| 2022 | 117 | 108 | 8 |
| 2021 | 231 | 218 | 12 |
| 2020 | 228 | 208 | 20 |
| 2019 | 252 | 201 | 49 |
| 2018 | 349 | 277 | 69 |
| 2017 | 226 | 186 | 39 |
| 2016 | 208 | 161 | 45 |
| 2015 | 213 | 148 | 64 |
| 2014 | 319 | 177 | 136 |
| 2013 | 403 | 163 | 233 |
| 2012 | 421 | 181 | 233 |
| 2011 | 333 | 99 | 225 |
| 2010 | 72 | 18 | 51 |
| 2009 | 205 | 14 | 186 |
| 2008 | 233 | 35 | 190 |
| 2007 | 445 | 62 | 376 |
| 2006 | 363 | 61 | 295 |
| 2005 | 236 | 78 | 153 |
| 2004 | 113 | 56 | 55 |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
25,650 X3 cars are on Dutch roads; 53% arrived later as imports, and 4,319 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,927 | €84,183 |
| 2025 | 2,558 | €82,647 |
| 2024 | 975 | €84,805 |
| 2023 | 1,678 | €80,326 |
| 2022 | 3,079 | €78,132 |
| 2021 | 3,503 | €75,519 |
| 2020 | 2,610 | €76,786 |
| 2019 | 1,878 | €79,883 |
| 2018 | 2,080 | €81,237 |
| 2017 | 707 | €75,236 |
| 2016 | 661 | €72,666 |
| 2015 | 820 | €70,740 |
| 2014 | 821 | €69,896 |
| 2013 | 422 | €70,472 |
| 2012 | 289 | €69,004 |
| 2011 | 468 | €75,534 |
| 2010 | 65 | €82,272 |
| 2008 | 32 | €60,506 |
| 2007 | 590 | €64,269 |
| 2006 | 197 | €61,047 |
| 2005 | 91 | €72,595 |
| 2004 | 170 | €72,308 |
| 2003 | 29 | €65,623 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
4,279 X3 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 13% petrol, 87% diesel; 9% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 108 | — |
| 2025 | 273 | 11,000 km |
| 2020 | 5 | — |
| 2019 | 8 | 111,000 km |
| 2018 | 87 | 153,000 km |
| 2017 | 331 | 175,000 km |
| 2016 | 375 | 193,000 km |
| 2015 | 442 | 217,000 km |
| 2014 | 469 | 228,000 km |
| 2013 | 528 | 244,000 km |
| 2012 | 777 | 268,000 km |
| 2011 | 802 | 274,000 km |
| 2010 | 50 | 263,000 km |
| 2008 | 7 | 292,000 km |
| 2007 | 9 | 279,000 km |
| 2006 | 8 | 319,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 1,473 X3 cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 23 of those collisions were fatal and 299 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 353 | 4 | 79 |
| 2024 | 262 | 3 | 57 |
| 2023 | 325 | 5 | 63 |
| 2022 | 271 | 6 | 54 |
| 2021 | 262 | 5 | 46 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
123,964 X3 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8,233 | 152 |
| 2024 | 6,171 | 56 |
| 2023 | 5,907 | 30 |
| 2022 | 6,794 | 41 |
| 2021 | 10,106 | 41 |
| 2020 | 7,393 | 61 |
| 2019 | 15,253 | 85 |
| 2018 | 7,935 | 49 |
| 2017 | 7,975 | 72 |
| 2016 | 8,899 | 92 |
| 2015 | 6,867 | 89 |
| 2014 | 5,943 | 111 |
| 2013 | 6,864 | 195 |
| 2012 | 6,502 | 250 |
| 2011 | 3,646 | 283 |
| 2010 | 768 | 91 |
| 2009 | 1,058 | 231 |
| 2008 | 1,073 | 367 |
| 2007 | 1,475 | 724 |
| 2006 | 1,958 | 1,060 |
| 2005 | 1,696 | 810 |
| 2004 | 1,447 | 790 |
| 2003 | 1 | — |
| 2002 | 0 | 1 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
97,771 X3 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 80% passed first time, against 75% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 573 | 93% |
| 2020 | 7,799 | 90% |
| 2019 | 16,019 | 90% |
| 2018 | 8,180 | 88% |
| 2017 | 8,116 | 85% |
| 2016 | 9,092 | 81% |
| 2015 | 7,079 | 79% |
| 2014 | 6,176 | 76% |
| 2013 | 7,249 | 74% |
| 2012 | 6,962 | 71% |
| 2011 | 4,184 | 74% |
| 2010 | 959 | 75% |
| 2009 | 1,476 | 70% |
| 2008 | 1,718 | 69% |
| 2007 | 2,686 | 65% |
| 2006 | 3,727 | 64% |
| 2005 | 3,125 | 61% |
| 2004 | 2,651 | 61% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | X3 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| Tyres | 5.9% | 6.1% |
| Suspension | 4.8% | 7.1% |
| Brakes | 3.6% | 5.7% |
| Visibility | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.4% | 2.5% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.0% | 0.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.7% | 2.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
583,466 new BMW X3 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (21,893), Italy (5,991), France (5,735).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 51,086 | 125 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 54,667 | 129 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 58,704 | 153 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 78,445 | 193 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 54,517 | 195 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 36,525 | 143 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 44,410 | — |
| 2015 | 42,206 | — |
| 2014 | 43,914 | — |
| 2013 | 53,655 | — |
| 2012 | 28,928 | — |
| 2011 | 27,520 | — |
| 2010 | 8,889 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
73,125 BMW X3 cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2024 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel hybrid versions average 7.3 l/100 km on the road, against 6.1 l/100 km in the official WLTP test — 20% more. Plug-in hybrids use 7.1 l/100 km against 2.1 l/100 km on paper, with 24% of their distance covered with the engine off.
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,327 | 10.8 | 9.3 | +16% |
| Petrol hybrid | 7,358 | 9.4 | 8.0 | +17% |
| Diesel | 663 | 7.6 | 6.5 | +17% |
| Diesel hybrid | 43,931 | 7.3 | 6.1 | +20% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 17,846 | 7.1 | 2.1 | +244% |
Litres per 100 km: total fuel used divided by total distance driven, from the car's own fuel consumption meter (OBFCM), collected in 2024 by the manufacturers, mostly remotely, and by national authorities. WLTP figures are the type-approval CO₂ values converted to litres. Hybrids, including mild hybrids, do not plug in; plug-in hybrid figures include the distance driven on electricity. European Environment Agency, Real-world CO₂ emissions from cars and vans · CC BY 4.0
What it costs in fuel
On real-world figures the diesel hybrid BMW X3 uses 7.3 litres per 100 km, so 15,000 km a year takes about 1,090 litres: €2,478 at this week's average price in Germany, its largest market in Europe.
| Country | Diesel hybrid | Petrol hybrid | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €2,478 | €3,072 | €3,514 | €2,590 |
| United Kingdom | £2,180 | £2,461 | £2,815 | £2,278 |
| Italy | €2,454 | €2,842 | €3,250 | €2,565 |
| France | €2,565 | €3,143 | €3,594 | €2,681 |
| Spain | €2,066 | €2,511 | €2,871 | €2,159 |
| United States | $1,813 | $1,596 | $1,825 | $1,895 |
Fuel for 15,000 km (9,300 miles) a year at real-world consumption. Pump prices with taxes, week of 19 October 2026: European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, US Energy Information Administration. Non-euro EU prices are in euros as the Bulletin publishes them.
Work it out for your driving
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the X3 in at least 12 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The RSW22 starter with reinforced water tightness (RWT) may experience increased abrasion of the magnetic contact, causing deposits to build up at the lowest point inside the relay. These deposits may increase relay contact resistance, leading to starting fail…
The failure concerns the RSW22 starter, type RWT (reinforced for watertightness). Increased abrasion of the magnetic contact can lead to the formation of deposits at the lowest point of the relay interior. This in turn can increase the resistance of the relay …
The driver airbag inflator may malfunction due to long-term degradation. In this case, if the airbag is deployed in an accident, the internal pressure in the inflator may be too high. The inflator could burst. Metal fragments may cause injuries. The product do…
The steering system sensor may malfunction causing an unintended steering movement of the vehicle. This increases the risk of accidents and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and …
Water may come into contact with the starter relay and gradually cause corrosion. This could affect the electrical connection inside the relay and make the engine difficult to start. It may also result in a short circuit and could cause the starter to overheat…
Due to a manufacturing failure, the protection of the two outer headrests in the second row is reduced. In the event of a collision or accident, passengers could be injured. In addition, headrest parts may become exposed and also cause serious injuries. The pr…
Damaged brake discs may have been fitted to the front axle. This can lead the brakes to fail when a heavy load is placed on the wheel concerned, increasing the risk of accident and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and m…
The positive battery cable of the starter-generator may not have been manufactured correctly. This could result in a loose electrical connection, leading to excessive contact resistance. The vehicle cannot charge or start. Contact points in the starter-generat…
Failure to bolt the plus voltage (B+) cable tightly enough to the starter generator may result in contact problems and an increase in contact resistance at the bolted connection. This may in turn lead to local overheating and the vehicle catching fire or to th…
The propellant in the inflator of the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments of the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surv…
Due to faulty rear-most screws, the screw fixings of the boot's lashing rails can fail in the event of a rear-end collision with heavy intrusion and penetrate the backs of the rear seats. This increases the risk of injury to the occupants of the rear seats. Th…
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of mo…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
60 campaigns cover the X3; the latest 12 are below.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024-2026 X3 sDrive30i, X3 30 xDrive, and X3 M50 xDrive vehicles. The steering spindle may have been incorrectly attached to the steering column.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X3 vehicles. While the vehicle is stationary, unexpected steering wheel movement (rotation) may occur.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The front brake discs may have been damaged during transport before they were installed on the vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 330i, 330i xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive) and X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The electrical connection between the starter-generator and battery may come loose.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 xDrive and X3 M50 xDrive vehicles. The rear brake hoses may leak, causing a loss of rear brake function, and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The connection between the positive battery cable and the starter-generator may have been improperly tightened and overheat.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 X3 sDrive30i and X3 xDrive30i vehicles. The second-row seat side door locking modules may not function properly and allow the doors to be unlocked with a single motion. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 vehicles. The front wheel left-side swivel bearing may crack, causing a loss of vehicle handling and control.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The gas generator in the right-side head curtain air bag may have been assembled incorrectly.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 xDrive30i and X3 M50i vehicles. The front passenger air bag fabric may have been damaged during transport between suppliers.
NHTSA recalls