2011 BMW X3

102 serious complaints of 125, the most about engine (35) and steering (24); per car on the road, 1.5× this model's usual year. 4 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.

What owners report

“The contact owns a 2011 bmw x3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of the time for the recall repair.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Jan 2018

“While driving, the steering failed suddenly where I was unable to steer. It became locked. It said I had a chassis stabilization malfunction. The steering wheel also appeared. I pulled over and turned the car off. After a few minutes the system reset and I was able to drive again. It became very frequent where it was difficult to drive.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Jun 2018

Fixes and extended coverage

• Extended coverage Engine Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units: Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years Without Mileage Limitation. INFORMATION BMW of North America, LLC ("BMW NA") is extending the limited warranty for the Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units on certain model BMW vehicles equipped with the non-turbocharged… (011014, Oct 2014)
• Extended coverage The engine's intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification (SIM010717, Jun 2017)
• Extended coverage For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Leak Diagnosis Module with hose assembly (NVLD, shown) to: 15 years/150,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date. For eligible MY 2017 BMW 530i Sedan and… (SIB010921, Aug 2022)
• Extended coverage A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated with faults stored related to the upper and/or lower active air flap(s). For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Radiator Grille Upper and Lower… (SIB011219, Aug 2022)
• Extended coverage Component specific limited warranty extension. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Sensor(s) to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle original in-service date. (SIB011918, May 2022)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

125 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 21 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features