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

2020 BMW X3

Typical pattern

7.8% of complaints about the 2020 BMW X3 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2020 vehicle — around the middle of the 178 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (35 complaints), typically at 6.0 yr or about 55,000 miles.

Complaints
141
Median age at failure
5.3 yr
Median mileage
29,400 n=40
Crash / fire / tow
10.6% of reports
Safety recalls
10 2 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
35 reports · 55,000 mi
6.0 yr
8.6%
Engine
25 reports · 11,700 mi
6.3 yr
20%
Other
17 reports · 11,650 mi
4.3 yr
5.9%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

25V636000 2025-09-23 Do not drive
Electrical system:starter assembly:relay

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.

A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

19V678000 2019-09-25 Do not drive
Suspension:front

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, and X3 M40i vehicles, X4 xDrive30i, and X4 M40i vehicles. The front axle swivel bearings may not have been properly heat treated during manufacturing, reducing their strength and possibly causing them to break.

Broken swivel bearings can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

24V764000 2024-10-15
Structure

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2022 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the rear cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.

Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

24V534000 2024-07-17
Structure

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.

Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.

23V211000 2023-03-29
Seats

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.

An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

21V598000 2021-08-02
Engine

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.

Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

21V096000 2021-02-19
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li x

If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

20V598000 2020-09-30
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

20V601000 2020-09-30
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.

The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.

20V490000 2020-08-18
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.

A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.

In owners’ own words

Other 8,114 mi 1.0 yr in service
WHILE DRIVING HOME, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE (EXPLOSION) AND AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD, WE FOUND THE SUN ROOF HAD A LARGE HOLE. WE WERE VERY CONFUSED AS TO WHY IT HAPPENED, AS THE BMW X3 IS ONLY 9 MONTHS OLD.
Other 19,500 mi 1.4 yr in service
MY REAR TRUNK DOOR OPENS ON ITS OWN WHEN I'M AWAY FROM THE CAR AND IT IS LOCKED. MY COWORKERS HAVE WITNESSED IT WHILE ON BREAK IN THE PARKING LOT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AS OFTEN, BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, JUST NOT AS FREQUENTLY.
Other mileage not reported 3.5 yr in service
This car does not have an accurate speedometer. The analog dial only marks the MPH number every 20 miles (eg numbers shown for 20 / 40 / 60. But not for 10 / 30 / 50). So impossible to easily or safely see the speed you are going. There is no digital speedometer showing the MPH number.
Electrical system 1,500 mi 11 mo in service
THE BACK UP CAMERA FAILS TO SHOW THE IMAGES AND PDC SENSORS DO NOT BEEP. EVEN WHEN IN REVERSE THE CAMERAS MALFUNCTION AND FREEZE. WAS PARKING IN A TIGHT SPOT AND NONE OF THE PDC SENSORS AND CAMERAS WORKED. EVEN WITH OPTION TO AUTOMATICALLY COME ON THE PDC AND CAMERA SYSTEM DID NOT TURN ON EVEN AT VERY SLOW SPEED IN THE PARKING GARAGE. AFTER PARKING AND LIFTING THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR HIT THE WALL AND THEN PDC SENSORS BEEPED AFTER THE IMPACT AND CREATED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR.

Other X3 model years

2022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004

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