CSR

BMW · NHTSA safety record

2025 BMW X3

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

35

Complaints

4

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2025 BMW X3 have filed 35 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2024 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 11 of them (31%). The typical failure was reported at 1,000 miles, the median across the 3 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 9 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (9)

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

26V524000 · August 12, 2026

The defect
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.
The risk
An incorrectly attached steering spindle can lead to a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the steering connection and replace hardware or replace the spindle and column, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 2, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 13 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE

25V857000 · December 11, 2025

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X3 vehicles. While the vehicle is stationary, unexpected steering wheel movement (rotation) may occur.
The risk
Unintended steering wheel movement while the vehicle is stationary increases the risk of an injury and on the road, a crash.
The remedy
The steering system software will be updated, free of charge, either over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 2, 2026.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 36,922 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

25V247000 · April 16, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
Damaged front brakes may not function properly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the front brake discs and brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 26 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

25V202000 · April 1, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
A loose starter-generator connection can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, the wiring may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the starter-generator and positive battery cable as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 4,557 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

25V154000 · March 12, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
A loss of rear brake function increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 192 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

25V109000 · February 21, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
An overheated battery cable connection can cause an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash. In addition, an overheated battery cable increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the connection between the positive battery cable and the starter-generator, or replace the positive battery cable and starter-generator if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 114 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

24V909000 · December 5, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
A loss of vehicle handling and control increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the front left-side swivel bearing, free of charge. One owner was contacted December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 2 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

24V856000 · November 12, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
An incorrectly assembled air bag can result in delayed activation or improper deployment of the head curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the right-side head curtain air bag, if necessary, free of charge. The vehicles have not been sold from dealer inventory and therefore no owner letters will be mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 2 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION

24V772000 · October 17, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
A damaged air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 7 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 35.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 31%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 8 23%
STEERING 8 23%
ENGINE 4 11%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 9%
LANE DEPARTURE 3 9%
POWER TRAIN 3 9%
STRUCTURE 3 9%
SUSPENSION 3 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 9%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 3 9%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 6%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 21.

2024 2025 2026
2024 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

On May 26, 2025, after I arrived home and parked my 2025 BMW X3, the vehicle caught fire approximately 30 minutes later. The fire started due to a known recall issue (NHTSA Recall No. 25V202) related to the electrical/starter-generator connection, which can cause overheating and fire. I contacted BMW multiple times before the incident — on April 19, May 9, and May 25 — requesting help to fix the open recall, but they failed to take action. The fire was sudden and violent, putting my life and property at risk. Firefighters and police responded; case number: 25/200048976. I filed a claim with Progressive Insurance and have photos and documentation available.

NHTSA complaint 11663080. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

crash · towed

My wife was driving our 2025 BMW X3 in traffic and when the car in front braked suddenly. She tried to change lanes but clipped the car in front, resulting in nearly $22 thousand in damages. BMW's review of the car's "black box" purportedly shows that the Forward Collision Mitigation system engaged, but only a split second prior to the crash, which my wife did not experience. BMW's review also purports that my wife did not brake, which she also disputes. Even more concerning is that the parts need to repair the car seem to be completely unavailable from BMW--the car has been sitting in a body shop for almost 2 months and BMW has "no ETA" for the parts.

NHTSA complaint 11688420. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

Vehicle: 2025 BMW X3 Complaint Description: I am reporting a serious safety defect involving sudden unintended acceleration, braking abnormalities, steering looseness, and electronic system failures. Within days of purchase, the vehicle began experiencing infotainment system freezing and electronic malfunctions. Over time, steering looseness and abnormal brake behavior developed. These issues were reported to authorized BMW service centers but were not corrected or properly documented. On May 17, 2025, while the vehicle was stationary and in park, it suddenly accelerated without driver input after a passenger exited the vehicle. I attempted to brake, but the vehicle continued forward and

NHTSA complaint 11711973, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

crash

My accident on [XXX] with my 2025 BMW X3 VIN [XXX] was avoidable and caused by either failure in design, or in execution in two BMW systems, I'll discuss parking assist here. Pictures and videos (even one of the crash) can be downloaded here: [XXX] Prior to the accident my husband set a backing up path “Home 1” within the BMW parking assist program for me to follow to align the car when backing into our driveway. This takes over braking and steering to move the car on a predetermined path and stops at the end. I have successfully used it many times. It shows up as an option when backing near the top of our driveway. In the video of the crash ([XXX]), the car turns into the driveway, slows

NHTSA complaint 11669566, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
**NHTSA Complaint — 2025 BMW X3 M50 Category: Suspension / Vehicle Stability** Video Evidence: A video showing the body motion over a standard safety speed bump is available here: [[XXX]] Complaint Summary: I am reporting a suspension and stability concern with my 2025 BMW X3 M50. At very low speeds (under 5 mph), when driving over standard safety zone speed bumps, the vehicle exhibits excessive side to side body motion. After crossing the bump, the SUV rocks left to right at least twice before settling, even when all four wheels travel over the bump in a straight line. This behavior is repeatable and occurs on multiple similar speed bumps in my parking garage. The condition is

NHTSA complaint 11753386, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
Vehicle: 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive | VIN: [XXX] | Dealer: Weatherford BMW of Berkeley | No crash, no injury Complaint narrative: My 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive (VIN [XXX]) has an open, active safety recall. BMW of North America has confirmed to me in writing (Executive Customer Care case #[XXX], most recently June 18, 2026) that the remedy parts are not available, and it has provided no repair date or estimated availability. I first raised this in April 2026; it remains unrepaired. Because of the open recall, BMW Financial Services will not allow me to transfer or pay off my lease, yet I continue to be charged $631.98 per month for a vehicle I cannot transfer and that has an unremedied safety defect.

NHTSA complaint 11745088, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Subject: Supplemental Evidence for Existing NHTSA Complaint / ODI #11711973 I am submitting supplemental safety information for my existing NHTSA vehicle safety complaint, ODI #11711973, involving my 2025 BMW X3, VIN [XXX] . Since filing, I had an additional BMW of Sterling visit/repair estimate dated April 22, 2026, mileage 17,628, RO #[XXX]. The dealer documented additional concerns including rough acceleration/jerking during the first drive of the day, intermittent A/C not blowing cold air and randomly blowing warm air, tire/wear concerns, left rear tire tread/screw concern, rear tires worn to 3mm, and alignment recommendation. This information supplements my existing complaint involving

NHTSA complaint 11739574, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights have a shadow half way down the windshield making it very difficult to see at night. We don't feel safe driving when it is dark out. We took it to the dealer the end of January they saw what we were talking about. One of the foreman drove it home at night. He saw what we were talking about but gave no solutions. We took it in again the shop foreman adjusted the headlights up. We drove it at night. The adjustment did not help. I have been in contact with BMW of North America. They have offered no solution.

NHTSA complaint 11737246. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

1,500 miles

The contact's husband owns a 2025 BMW X3. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while retrieving items out of the vehicle's liftgate, the liftgate door would independently shut while an individual was there. The contact stated that on one occasion, the liftgate door had pinned her against the vehicle and the contact used excessive force to open the liftgate. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on three separate occasion; however, they failed to duplicate the failure after each visit. The contact stated that she fears using the vehicle due to the liftgate failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact made multiple attempts to reach the manufacturer; however, both the

NHTSA complaint 11736492, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
While actively driving at speed, the vehicle's Driving Assistance Professional Package (DAPP) completely deactivated without warning. This caused an immediate, unexpected loss of both adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping steering assistance, requiring sudden manual emergency intervention to maintain control of the vehicle and avoid a collision. This is a severe safety defect. The vehicle has been presented to an authorized BMW dealership twice for this exact failure. It is currently on its second repair attempt and has been out of service for about 30 consecutive days. It is stilll in the shop. The dealership and manufacturer have been unable to permanently resolve this

NHTSA complaint 11727843, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW X3

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 14 2
2024 35 4
2023 11 4
2022 68 8
2021 104 11
2020 109 16
2019 166 10
2018 73 11
2017 92 6
2016 82 5
2015 105 7
2014 86 6
2013 226 7
2012 42 2
2011 112 4
2010 32 4

Other 2025 BMW models

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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