2008 BMW X3 SAV Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other X3 SAV years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 6 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW X3 SAV. That ranks 2nd out of 6 X3 SAV model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (29 complaints, 52%), typically at around 75,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 56owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 BMW X3 SAV problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 29 | 52% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 9 | 16% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 6 | 11% | 33,650 | — | — |
| Seats | 5 | 9% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 7% | 61,677 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 7% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 3 | 5% | 58,600 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 4% | 102,300 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 4% | 45,150 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 2% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 2% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 2% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 2% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 2% | 52,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 2% | 47,011 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | 47,011 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 BMW X3 SAV recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The passenger seat occupancy sensor is defective. This is part of the "seat mat", which is under recall. Bmw sent an initial notice of recall in september of 2017. As of april 20, 2018 the parts are still not available to perform this recall. Over 7 months! No one at the dealer or bmw usa can give…
I have brought my vehicle to bloomfield nj dealership on several occasions in 2013, 2014, 2015 due to vehicles inability to shift gears swiftly, rmp going to 34,000 and transmission not shifting gears. I drive about 6,000miles per year sometimes less. All dealer would say "vehicle performs as…
Last week dash 4x4 light comes on a,udible rapid clicking sound comes from rear just after car is turned off...i brought the vehicle to west paterson motors in woodland park, nj for diagnostics. Mechanic states computer codes indicate it's transfer case failure, and to replace it costs over $…
Recall notification was received in nov 2017. Dealer has yet to repair. Is this length of delay acceptable?
I have 2 dangerous recalls. One-no one can sit in the passenger seat because the air bags may not deploy and the second, my engine can be on fire due to a pvc valve. Bmw has no remedies and it has been over 4 months, this is unacceptable. Someone has to put the pressure on bmw to get this fixed…
Other BMW X3 SAV years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 X3 SAV | 6 | 0 |
| 2011 X3 SAV | 13 | 1 |
| 2010 X3 SAV | 23 | 3 |
| 2009 X3 SAV | 16 | 2 |
| 2008 | 56 | 2 |
| 2007 X3 SAV | 160 | 2 |
See all BMW X3 SAV problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW X3 SAV?
Owners most often report air bags, engine, power train problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 29 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW X3 SAV?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 BMW X3 SAV a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other X3 SAV model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.