Every 2011 BMW X3 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 23V707000
Oct 20, 2023Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
- Risk
- Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 23V707000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 17V683000
Oct 30, 2017Engine and Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V683000 →Child Seat · NHTSA 16V333000
May 23, 2016Child Seat:Latch Strap
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
- Risk
- Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 16V333000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 14V176000
Oct 4, 2014Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
- Risk
- If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 14V176000 →
2011 BMW X3 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW X3, reporting 3 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries. BMW has issued at least 360 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine35
- Steering26
- Power Train25
- Electrical System24
- Engine and Engine Cooling24
- Exterior Lighting11
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (116)
- Equipment (103)
- Engine (48)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (43)
- Power Train (27)
- Structure (23)
Read BMW X3 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2011 BMW X3
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW X3. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“The fuse box in trunk caught fire There are tons of these incidences if you search the web Bmw has done nothing I willhope your " safety " agency will. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
2011 BMW X3Jun 20, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11668102
“STEERING IS "STICKY" WHEN TRYING TO MOVE FROM THE CENTER POSITION IN MY 2011 BMW X3 35I-- DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS USED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE CURRENT LANE OF TRAVEL, HIGHER THAN NORMAL RESISTANCE TO TURNING IS FELT.”
2011 BMW X3 SAVMay 13, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11207189
Fire
“I parked my vehicle in front of my house for the night after driving for only about 15-20 minutes. Maybe less. Roughly 3-4 hours later, I was alerted to my car being completely up in flames by the sounds of fire trucks / police sirens.”
2011 BMW X3Feb 6, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11505918
“NOTHING HAPPENED (YET) BUT BMW SERVICE TELLS ME THERE'S NO RECALLS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF ON MY VEHICLE”
2011 BMW X3 SAVApr 19, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11202531
“THE COOLANT SYSTEM IS GIVING ME MANY PROBLEMS. THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE SEAM AND LEAKING. THE THERMOSTAT WAS STUCK, CAUSING ZERO HEAT INTO THE CABIN ON A COLD DAY. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY.”
2011 BMW X3 SAVMar 5, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11184363
Check your X3 by VIN
Not every 2011 BMW X3 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
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