What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2014 BMW X3

Typical pattern

4.6% of complaints about the 2014 BMW X3 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2014 vehicle — around the middle of the 195 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 9.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (30 complaints), typically at 10.9 yr or about 90,000 miles.

Complaints
130
Median age at failure
9.5 yr
Median mileage
60,000 n=69
Crash / fire / tow
14.6% of reports
Safety recalls
6

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
30 reports · 90,000 mi
10.9 yr
10%
Engine
19 reports · 60,000 mi
8.8 yr
10.5%
Engine cooling
19 reports · 97,000 mi
11.1 yr
10.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

24V608000 2024-08-13
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

24V527000 2024-07-11
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.

23V797000 2023-11-24
Air bags:frontal

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive35i, and 2015 X4 xDrive35i vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

16V333000 2016-05-23
Child seat:latch strap

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.

Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.

14V627000 2014-10-07
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.

A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

13V454000 2013-09-26
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.

A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 8,000 mi 3 mo in service
CIGARETTE LIGHTERS ARE NON OPERATIONAL. FUSES ARE BLOWN EVERY 2 TO 3 MONTHS. CONSTANTLY REPLACING FUSES. *TR
Electrical system 20,000 mi 1.9 yr in service
ANIMAL CHEWED ELECTRICAL WIRING ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS RENDERING THE CAR NOT DRIVABLE. HAD TO BE TOWED THREE TIMES. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE THE FIRST TWO TIMES AND THE THIRD TIME IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAVE ALL INSURANCE DOCUMENTATION.
Electrical system 100,000 mi 4.9 yr in service
AS AN ELECTRICAL VEHICLE I RAN OUT OF GAS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT MY VEHICLE IN MANUAL NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY WENT INTO PARK WHICH IF A LOT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. SAFETY HAZARD FOR NOT GEAR SHIFT TO PRESS FOR PARKING
Engine 60,000 mi 7.0 yr in service crash / fire / tow
OUR PARKED BMW X3 WAS IN OUR DRIVEWAY TURNED OFF WHEN IT SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES AND ALSO CAUGHT OUR HOUSE ON FIRE AND OUR NEIGHBORS HOUSE. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL. NO ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON AND WE REGULARLY SERVICE OUR CAR ONLY WITH CERTIFIED BMW MECHANICS. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY BURNT TO THE GROUND. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE X3 HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT DOWN SOMEONE'S HOME AND YET NO RECALL AND BMW HAS YET TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. WE HAVE EVERYTHING ON OUR SECURITY CAMERAS.

Other X3 model years

2022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004

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