2011 BMW X3 SAV Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other X3 SAV years
- Fewer complaints than other years 5th of 6 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW X3 SAV. That ranks 5th out of 6 X3 SAV model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (4 complaints, 31%), typically at around 64,000 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 13owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2011 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 31% | 64,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 23% | 68,900 | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 23% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 15% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 15% | 70,510 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 8% | 68,900 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 8% | 68,900 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 8% | 60,900 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2011 BMW X3 SAV recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine 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.
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.
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. Once the initial resistance is overcome, the…
Nothing happened (yet) but bmw service tells me there's no recalls that need to be taken care of on my vehicle
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. It would not re start the ignition kept trying…
Sudden loss of power steering
Only have my car for only a year. Taillight from passenger side: the running light defects when i hit the brake the brake light comes on. I was told i need to replace the whole assembly light and this is well known for this car. Yesterday, while i was driving. My driver restraint light came on and…
Other BMW X3 SAV years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 X3 SAV | 6 | 0 |
| 2011 | 13 | 1 |
| 2010 X3 SAV | 23 | 3 |
| 2009 X3 SAV | 16 | 2 |
| 2008 X3 SAV | 56 | 2 |
| 2007 X3 SAV | 160 | 2 |
See all BMW X3 SAV problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW X3 SAV?
Owners most often report engine, air bags, steering problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2011 BMW X3 SAV?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2011 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 2011 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.