BMW X3 Complaints (2006)
143 consumer complaints on file.
- #10626946August 21, 2014AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SPORADICALLY FOR NO REASON. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10579746April 14, 2014STRUCTURE:BODY
MY BMW IS 8 YEARS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 125 THOUSAND MILES AND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE DAMAGED. THIS IS A BMW, THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DAMAGE IN THIS TYPE OF CAR. BMW ARE BUILT TO EMBODY THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND SAFETY STANDARDS BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR BODY IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THERE MOST BE A DEFICIENCY ON THIS PART AND AS FAR AS I KNOW IT SHOULD BE A BMW ORIGINAL PART. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2009, IT WAS A PRE-CERTIFIED CAR, WHEN I ASKED WHAT THAT MEANT THE SALES PERSON STATED "THAT ALL PARTS WERE CHECKED AND ARE ORIGINALS BMW PARTS". I BAD OTHER TYPE OF VEHICLE FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, SO NEVER EXPECTED THIS FROM MY BMW. I WILL APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE ON THIS MATTER, I BELIEVE THIS PART IS DEFICIENT AND BMW SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. I DO EXPECT MORE FROM THEM AS THEY ADVERTISE THEIR CARS TO BE MORE DURABLE AND HIGHER QUALITY. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10579188April 11, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY DIED AND THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10566613March 1, 2014SEATS
I WAS DRIVING WHEN I SMELLED SMOKE AND REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAD CAUGHT FIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR, JUMPED OUT, AND SAW THAT A HOLE HAD BURNED THROUGH THE CAR SEAT AND I COULD SEE FLAMES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT TRIGGERED A RECALL AS IT IS OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE YOUR CAR CATCH ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10558759January 7, 2014SEATS
DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10553071November 20, 2013SEATS
SEAT HEATING SYSTEM ISSUE: WITHOUT ANY EARLIER WARNING SIGNS THE DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATED VERY QUICKLY (WITHIN ONE MINUTE OF TURNING ON THE SEAT HEATERS) TO THE POINT OF BURNING THE DRIVERS SKIN. A BURNING SMELL OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME. THE DRIVER HAD TO GET UP FROM THE SEAT RAPIDLY TO AVOID ANY SERIOUS BURNS. THIS MADE BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A CONTROLLED STOP VERY DIFFICULT. THE DRIVER WAS HALFWAY UP FROM THE SEAT WITH THE SEATBELT HOLDING THE DRIVER BACK. THIS COULD HAVE LEAD EASILY TO AN ACCIDENT AS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL A VEHICLE IN THAT POSITION. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT A SLOW SPEED AND OPERATED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. HOWEVER, THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT OR INJURIES AT A HIGHER SPEED AND/OR MORE POPULATED AREA WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH GREATER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT UNDER THE UNITED STATES CODE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY (TITLE 49, CHAPTER 301). INTERNET RESEARCH AND MULTIPLE COMPLAINS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE CONFIRM THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10552984November 19, 2013SEATS
I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER IN MY 2006 BMW X3 STARTING ON ABOUT OCTOBER 21, 2013. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A COUPLE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, I FELT A "SHOCK" IN MY LEFT THIGH. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL THE SEAT WARMER STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO FIX AND FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE HEATING ELEMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF OVER $1500. AS I AM LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHERS. I AM FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS NOT A MORE SERIOUS INJURY, AND THAT MY SEAT WAS NOT DAMAGED TO THE EXTENT THAT OTHERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED. HOWEVER, THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PROBLEM AND BMW SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF IT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10552271November 14, 2013AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DISPLAYING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSERTED THE SEAT BELT TO STOP THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT FROM ILLUNIMATING BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10552151November 13, 2013AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY ALONG WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT. WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR IS OUTSIDE OF A RECALL NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS IT WAS OUTSIDE THE DATE OF MANF. WHICH THE RECALL APPLIED TO. THE COST OF REPAIR AT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE AROUND $1000. UNTIL THE REPAIR IS MADE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS INOPERABLE AND WILL REMAIN THAT WAY UNTIL FIXED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10533565July 31, 2013UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REPEATED FLOODING IN DRIVER-SIDE BACK AND PASSENGER FRONT. IT HAS BEEN THE VAPOR SEAL ALONG THE DOOR, TOP PART OF DOOR NEAR WINDOW, SEAL ALONG THE WINDSHIELD AND FINALLY FROM THE SUNROOF LEADING TO DRAIN LEADING TO INTERIOR OF CAR. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT NO ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAVE INCURRED, BUT DUE TO THE HIGH RISK OF THAT HAPPENING, WANTED TO REPORT THE SITUATION. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER A YEAR (FIXED VARIOUS ISSUES WITH FLOODING EVERY FEW MONTHS). BMW ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE X3 HAS WATER ISSUES BUT THAT IT IS NO FAULT OF THEIR'S. I UNDERSTAND A VAPOR SEAL NEEDING TO BE REPLACED ONCE IN A WHILE- BUT THIS IS FAR AND BEYOND HAPPENING WAY TOO FREQUENTLY. JUST DON'T WANT ANY OF THE LARGER POSSIBILITIES TO COME INTO PLAY.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10522621July 1, 2013ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED TO BLOW COOL AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE EVAPORATE CORD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10520113June 17, 2013AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE MAT SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10520139June 17, 2013SEATS
WHEN TESTING THE HEATED SEATS IN THIS VEHICLE, AFTER 5-10 SECS, I FELT A STRONG HEAT SENSATION ON MY LEFT THIGH. THE THERE WAS A BURN HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON THE LEFT SIDE. SWITCHED OFF HEAT WARMER RIGHT AWAY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10520142June 17, 2013FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY CAR, THE CHECK GAS CAP LIGHT COMES ON. AS I DRIVE, IT GOES OFF BUT THEN WILL ILLUMINATE AGAIN. I CHECK IT AND NOTHING APPEARS TO BE WRONG BUT AS I DRIVE, I DO NOTICE THAT THE GAS NEEDLE WILL MOVE UP AND DOWN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10510989May 7, 2013SEATS
I FELT A BURNING SENSATION UNDER MY LEFT LEG AND PULLED THE CAR OVER. NOTICED THAT THE SEAT HAD CRACKED AND THERE WAS A DISCOLORATION INDICATING A BURN. I SWITCHED OFF THE HEATED SEAT AND CONTINUED. I HAVE FELT THIS BURNING SENSATION A FEW OTHER TIMES AND WOULD TURN DOWN THE HEAT OR SWITCH IT OFF ALTOGETHER. THE DEALER SUGGESTED A CHANGE OF THE SEAT COVER WHICH COSTS UPWARDS OF 1000 $S *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10505025March 30, 2013ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
JAN 16 - CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON - CAR RUNNING SLUGGISH. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO DEALERSHIP - THEY DETECTED OIL SEPARATOR FAILING. CAR STARTED SMOKING AT DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE OIL SEPARATOR AND SEVERAL PARTS DUE TO DAMAGE - COSTS $2400. MARCH 22ND - SAME SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON - TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP - THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 1 WEEK AND STILL HAVE NOT TOLD ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT OTHER THAN THERE IS OIL EVERYWHERE AND I MAY HAVE HEAD GASKET OR ENGINE DAMAGE. POSSIBLY LOOKING AT ANOTHER $1K TO $5K. THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THIS PART CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THIS IS WIDELY KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW AND CONSUMERS SHOULD BE GIVEN RELIEF ON THE COSTS. BMW SHOULD SUPPORT THE CORRECTION OF THIS DEFECT AND PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIR. DEALER (CHATTANOOGA BMW) SHOULD HAVE ALSO INFORMED ME ABOUT THE BROADER ISSUE VERSUS ME FINDING OUT ON MY OWN RESEARCH. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10502472March 12, 2013FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2006 BMW X3 "CHECK GAS CAP" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AFTER REFUELING. CHECK THE GAS GAP AND EVERYTHING SEEMS OK. HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY IN TEMPERATURES OVER 40F. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10498154February 14, 2013AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE LISTED AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, WHO BOTH INFORMED HER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, OFFERING NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10496543February 5, 2013STRUCTURE:BODY, SEATS
TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY WITH A BOULDER ON THE EDGE/CORNER. WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER ON, THE SEAT BURNED A HOLE THRU THE LEATHER AND MADE ME TURN ABRUPTLY AND BUMPED THE BOULDER. DAMAGE TO THE FR. BUMPER, INNER FENDER AND WHEEL. LEFT SIDE (DRIVERS) SEAT BOLSTER HAS A BURN-THROUGH HOLE. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10495024January 29, 2013SEATS
STARTED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY THIS MORNING AND LET THE ENGINE IDLE FOR A MINUTE OR TWO BEFORE DRIVING OFF, I ENERGIZED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT TO THE LOWEST SETTING, AFTER 10 SEC OR SO I STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND FELT A SHARP PAIN UNDER MY LEFT THIGH. I TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT IMMEDIATELY, SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND GOT OUT OFF THE CAR TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I NOTICED A SMALL BLACK BURN MARK ON THE SEAT THAT WAS VERY WARM TO THE TOUCH. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA TO FILE A COMPLAINT, THE LADY ON THE PHONE TOOK MY INFORMATION AND STATEMENT AS TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED BMW DEALER FOR INSPECTION. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED LATER THIS AFTERNOON BY CONCORD BMW AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIR COST OF THE DAMAGED SEAT. I ASKED IF THEY WOULD CONTACT BMW NORTH AMERICA ON MY BEHALF AND ASK THEM TO AUTHORIZE AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE EVENT, HEATED SEATS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO CATCH FIRE AND MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE DRIVING THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED. I WAS TOLD NO, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT UP WITH BMW NORTH AMERICA ON MY OWN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0