The 2008 BMW X3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 885,828 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 6, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0170002020-01-1559,965 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i,…
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING17V6830002017-10-30740,561 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS17V6050002017-09-2885,302 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a…
Consequence
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
32
ENGINE
16
2crashes1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
15
1fires
SEATS
5
2fires1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
2crashes1fires
POWER TRAIN
4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
SERVICE BRAKES
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SEAT HEATER:WIRING HARNESS
1
Total complaints93
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I am reporting a vehicle fire involving my 2008 bmw x3, which had an active safety recall for the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve heater (recall campaign no. 22v-119). This recall identifies a risk of short circuiting, overheating, and potential fire. On february 27, 2026, I contacted…”
“I am reporting a vehicle fire involving my 2008 bmw x3, which had an active safety recall for the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve heater (recall campaign no. 22v-119). This recall identifies a risk of short circuiting, overheating, and potential fire. On february 27, 2026, I contacted…”
“I am reporting a vehicle fire involving my 2008 bmw x3, which had an active safety recall for the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve heater (recall campaign no. 22v-119). This recall identifies a risk of short circuiting, overheating, and potential fire. On february 27, 2026, I contacted…”
“The contact owns a 2008 bmw x3. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph with the front driver's seat heater activated, the contact felt a sharp pain on the buttock and immediately leaned forward. The contact stated that upon touching the seat, the contact noticed that the seat heater…”
“The contact owns a 2008 bmw x3 equipped with arroyo tires, tire line: grand sport a/s, tire size: 254/40/r19, dot number: 1tby3kb5c. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the tread of the tires became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle…”
“The contact owns a 2008 bmw x3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front passenger’s side seat occupant detection mat. The vehicle was not repaired.…”
“The car no longer starts. When towing it to a bmw dealership, they informed me that there is a problem with the vanos bolts and that "they snap easily"; however after some research into it I realized that these engines have a recall for this specific issue only that my vehicle isn't listed under…”
“The wiring insulation inside of the headlight on my vehicle deteriorated, causing the wires to be exposed. The headlight stopped working because of the wires touching, and a defective lamp dash light came on. Exposed wires touching has the potential to start fires. I have completely re wrapped all…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW X3 as of
July 6, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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