Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 BMW X3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine4
- Electrical system3
- Structure3
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Unknown or other1
- Steering1
- Exterior lighting1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Power train1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 2023 X3 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2023 BMW X3 failed the safety check 0.38% of the time — 45% less often than the average 2023 passenger car (0.69%). Median odometer at inspection: 12,528 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Real-world fuel consumption
20,025 BMW X3 cars first registered in Europe in 2023 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel hybrid versions use 7.4 l/100 km on the road against 6.1 in the WLTP test (+20%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 624 | 11.8 | 9.1 | +30% |
| Petrol hybrid | 2,469 | 9.5 | 8.0 | +18% |
| Diesel | 556 | 7.7 | 6.7 | +16% |
| Diesel hybrid | 12,878 | 7.4 | 6.1 | +20% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 3,498 | 7.6 | 2.1 | +266% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
Engines
The most common engines in 2023 BMW X3 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 hybrid (135 kW, 181 hp), 3.0 hybrid (265 kW, 355 hp) and 2.0 hybrid (120 kW, 161 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 hybrid | 135 kW 181 hp | 1,533 |
| 3.0 hybrid | 265 kW 355 hp | 39 |
| 2.0 hybrid | 120 kW 161 hp | 34 |
| 2.0 hybrid | 180 kW 241 hp | 24 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
1,678 first registered in 2023 are on Dutch roads; 58% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €80,326.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde9
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld5
- Band beschadigd5
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht4
- Koplamp met afwijkend lichtbeeld onjuist afgesteld2
- Band onvoldoende profiel2
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af2
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm1
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
5,907 cars built in 2023 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 30 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
123 2023 cars are on the New Zealand register; 4% arrived as used imports, 95% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 17.1 % |
| 2023 BMW X3 SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | 17.2 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 9.9–13.9 L/100 km (about 17–24 mpg US), CO₂ 229–323 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| X3 xDrive30i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.0 | 8.4 | 9.9 |
| X3 M40i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 10.9 | 9.0 | 10.1 |
| X3 M · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 15.7 | 11.7 | 13.9 |
| X3 M Competition · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 15.7 | 11.7 | 13.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2023 BMW X3.
| 2026331 8 Jul 2026 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine starter may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the starter could overheat. Note: This recall is an exp… |
| 2026040 30 Jan 2026 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine starter may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the starter could overheat. Safety Risk: A starter … |
| 2024544 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "N… |
| 2023646 6 Dec 2023 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, the integrated transmission control unit (ITCU) may not be sealed properly. As a result, transmission oil could leak into the uni… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 (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 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2023 BMW X3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11012082 | The tailgate/trunk will not latch when closed. |
| 11009001 | A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes is stored in the ACSM (air bag control unit): 930949 - Knee airbag, driver: Short circuit to negative terminal 93094F - Knee airbag, front passenger: Short circuit to negative terminal 93094C - Knee airbag driver's side: Resistance too great 930952 - Knee airbag, front passenger: Resistance too great |
| 11006766 | There is a jerking or shuddering during either or both of the following: Cornering or accelerating from low speeds Driving with low to medium loads There are no warning lights or Check Control messages. |
| 10253326 | While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard. |
| 10252033 | During inspection and/or diagnosis there is noticeable dirt/grease buildup on the axles near the inner and/o router CV boots. |
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10249016 | With the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there may be a cracking and orclicking type noise when turning the steering wheel left/right. See attached video V31 01 24. The sound can reoccur when the vehicle is lowered, and the wheels are once again under load. The noise might also be heard for a short time while driving. |
| 10249015 | A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system(NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel tank ventilation and scavenging air system, micro-leak: leakage more than 0.5mm For: Model vehicles other that the ones listed above, or for EVAP faults related to a large leak, after confirming that the fuel filler cap is fitted properly, then, proceed to follow the corresponding test plan |
| 10247574 | A noise can be heard from underneath the seat while the seat is being moved either forwards or backwards. This can occur to the drivers and/or the passengers front seat. |
| 10244239 | This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1. Wind noise 2. Excess water entry |
| 10242970 | BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective September 28, 2023) on certain Model Year 2023 BMWvehicles that were produced between January 23, 2023, and June 15, 2023. |
| 10242967 | BMW AG has requested the inspection of all dealer stock of the following part number(s) listed below to ensure the spacer is conformed to drawing. |
| 10242699 | ?When driving over uneven pavement or cobblestones, a knocking noise is present from the passenger side front area (A pillar). Once the vehicle is driven on a flat, even surface; the noise is no longer present. |
| 10242696 | ?Water leaking into the vehicle from the headliner/microphone area. |
| 10242692 | While driving the vehicle on normal roads at 10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard. |
| 10242690 | ?Disturbing noises (thump/pop) when reversing slowly near the steering wheel limit position; for example, when leaving a parking space. |
| 10242686 | ?An unapproved nut was used for the ground point for the chassis ground. |
| 10242529 | A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. |
| 10239611 | Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam headlight: Short circuit and/or 8041A5 - light outputs: Number of permitted short circuit cycles exceeded |
| 10239602 | A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system (NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel tank ventilation and scavenging air system, micro-leak: leakage more than 0.5 mm. |
| 10239601 | BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop effective June 6, 2023 on certain Model Year 2023 - 2024 BMW vehicles that were produced between October 26, 2022 and May 8, 2023. |
| 10239599 | With the introduction of the BMW Remote Software Upgrade, all Service Pack 18 vehicles and partial Service Pack 15 vehicles may receive new functionality or modifications in their features. |
| 10238091 | BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective October 15, 2021) on certain Model Year 2022 BMW vehicles that were produced between September 28, 2021 and October 8, 2021. The issue involves the Active Crash Safety Module (ACSM) sensor. |
| 10238090 | After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)