BMW X3 Complaints (2006)
143 consumer complaints on file.
- #10483966November 11, 2012SEATS
THE HEATED SEAT DEVICE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BECOMES HOT ENOUGH TO BURN YOUR LEG, PRIMARILY ON THE LEFT SIDE. A BURNING SENSATION AND INTENSE HEAT IS FELT WHEN THE HEATED SEAT IS TURNED ON, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE, FOR FEAR OF BURNS OR FIRE. APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE SEAT ELEMENTS, AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS OR FIRE. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON A SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, SAFETY AND FIRE ISSUE? *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10473001August 30, 2012SEATS
FRONT SEAT HEATERS BECOME TOO HOT ON OUTSIDE BOLSTER ( LEFT SIDE ON DRIVER'S SEAT, RIGHT SIDE ON PASSENGER SEAT), BURNING HOLE IN SEAT COVER AND BURNING PERSON SITTING IN SEAT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10471680August 21, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR BY THE PRIOR OWNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME WOULD SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10469019August 2, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10467004July 23, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR FOR AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS A DEFECT HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,260. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,250.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10463969July 2, 2012VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
AFTER EACH RAINFALL, FRONT AND/OR REAR PASSENGER FOOTWELLS FLOOD, DEPENDING ON THE ANGLE THAT THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED VAPOR BARRIERS BUT A WATER TEST REVEALED THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS IS TOO LOW, CAUSING THE LEAK. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455878April 20, 2012SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEATING ELEMENT FOR FRONT DRIVER SEAT SHORTED, CAUSING IT TO BURN THROUGH THE LEATHER. FORTUNATELY, I CAUGHT IT IN TIME BEFORE FIRE OR INJURY. SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR MANY OTHERS AS WELL, SOMETIMES WITH MORE DAMAGING RESULTS. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10445930January 30, 2012SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN SEAT WARMER WAS ENGAGED. LEATHER SEAT HAS VISIBLE BURN MARK. FIRE BURNED DRIVER. WHEN SEAT WARMER WAS DISENGAGED, SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING FROM SEAT, FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH SMOKE. SEAT WARMER WAS ENGAGED UPON VEHICLE START IN OWNER'S GARAGE. VEHICLE WAS MOVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPS (1-2 MINS LATER) WHEN FIRE BEGAN. *TT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10443671January 13, 2012SEATS
AFTER MY 2006 BMW X3 HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, WITH THE HEATED SEAT ON, I BEGAN TO FEEL A BURN IN MY BOTTOM AS WELL AS SMELL SMOKE. I PULLED OVER, GOT OUT, AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT CUSHION OF MY DRIVERS SEAT WAS SMOKING AND HAD MELTED ABOUT A QUARTER SIZE HOLE IN THE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY. THIS IS A COMMON AND KNOW ISSUE TO BMW. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. VERY DANGEROUS!!! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10438764December 6, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE INTAKE BOOT BETWEEN THE MASS AIR SENSOR AND THE THROTTLE BODY CRACKS OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE ITEM, AND THE CAR IS WITHIN THE CPO WARRANTY PERIOD, BMW DOES NOT COVER ANY HOSES OR TUBES, AS THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE "WEAR" ITEMS. SINCE IT IS NOT COVERED ITS A $175 DOLLAR DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND $38.54 FOR THE PART VS $50 DEDUCTIBLE. YOU DO NOT KNOW IF YOUR REPAIR IS COVERED UNTIL THE DIAGNOSTIC, SO SHORT OF HAVING TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED YOU COULD BE PENALIZED $125 FOR WANTING YOU CAR REPAIRED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH YOU PAID EXTRA FOR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10435643November 15, 2011VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
2006 BMW X3 SERIOUS BUCKING OF TRANSMISSION ABOVE THREE THOUSAND RPM UNDER LOAD GOING UP A HILL BUT ALSO OCCURS ON FLAT GROUND. HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND BMW DENIED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. HAD SERVICE REP TAKE A RIDE WITH ME TO SHOW HIM THE ISSUE AND HE ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. IN THE END TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT BMW SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE CAR BECAUSE IT WASN'T A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY A FEW TIMES WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO BUCK AND I HAD TO MOVE OVER INTO THE SLOW LANE BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS SITUATION BUT BMW DOESN'T THINK SO. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10433003October 27, 2011AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACTS WAS ADVISED BY HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10430125October 13, 2011AIR BAGS
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE. MANUFACTURING DATE OF MY VEHICLE IS 1/1/06 - SIX WEEKS AFTER MANUFACTURING DATE OF RECALL 08V-384 FOR THIS ISSUE. BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY ON THIS ITEM HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS. HOWEVER, MY "AUTHORIZED BMW SERVICE CENTER" DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THIS AND ESTIMATED $137 FOR DIAGNOSTIC WORK AND $1242 TO REPAIR. RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED SO THAT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE NOTIFIED THAT THEIR AIRBAGS MAY NOT ACTIVATE IN A CRASH. EXTENDING A WARRANTY THAT IS NOT COMMUNICATED IN WRITING TO VEHICLE OWNERS OR SHARED WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING ON IT DOES NOTHING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10429133October 7, 2011AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) DID NOT APPLY TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10428849October 5, 2011AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY WHILE PASSENGERS WERE POSITIONED IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AIR BAG SENSOR WITHIN THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10427848September 29, 2011AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE SENSOR MAT FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THE VIN DID NOT APPLY TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,620. UPDATED 12/19/11
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10419486August 15, 2011AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. WHILE PARKED AND SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. AIRBAG INDICATOR COMES ON WHEN A PASSENGER SITS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT USUALLY STAYS ON TIL THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITHOUT A PASSENGER AND ONCE A BUMP IS HIT. UPDATED 11/03/2011 *LN *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10418826August 5, 2011AIR BAGS
BMW HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR MY 2006 BMW X3 EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE AIRBAG PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MECHANISM! I AM NOW FACED WITH PAYING AN EXORBITANT CHARGE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE FORWARD PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG TO NOT WORK IN A COLLISION.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10410475July 5, 2011SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SEAT UPHOLSTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10405958June 11, 2011EQUIPMENT
AIR CONDITIONER TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO WARM JUST ON DRIVERS SIDE BUT REMAINED COOL ON DRIVERS SIDE. BASED UPON MY MANY YEARS OR WORKING WITH CARS, I ASSUMED THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION OF SOME OF THE "DOORS" IN THE AIR ROUTING SYSTEM HAD FAILED NOT ALLOWING SUFFICIENT COOL AIR ON DRIVERS SIDE. TAKEN TO REGULAR BMW DEALER (HE HAS SERVICED ALL 6 BMW'S I HAVE OWNED) AND WAS TOLD AC CONDENSER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. CAR WAS 4 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY ALTHOUGH MILEAGE WAS LOWER THAN WARRANTY LIMIT. DEALER STATED THEY CONTACTED BMW AND TOLD ME THAT BMW REFUSED TO COVER REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY $2200. HAVING BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF A COUNTY CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY IN TAMPA, FL, I FOLLOWED THE PATH OF DIRECTIONS WE GIVE TO OUR OWN CONSUMERS BEFORE WE (AS AN ENFORCEMENT AGENCY) WILL NORMALLY INITIATE A COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION. I WROTE A LETTER TO BMW OUTLINING MY PROBLEM.WITHIN THREE WEEKS MY DEALER CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT BMW HAD CONTACTED THEM, VERIFIED THE REPAIR AND THAT I HAD PAID FOR IT. THEY THEN TOLD THE DEALER TO CONTACT ME AND TELL ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO PARTIALLY REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. ABOUT A WEEK LATER I RECEIVED A CHECK FROM BMW FOR A LITTLE LESS THAN HALF OF THE REPAIR COST AND NO EXPLANATION. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW OR WHY THEY CHOOSE TO PAY A PORTION VERSUS ALL OR NOTHING. HOWEVER, SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I CONSIDERED THIS A FAIR SETTLEMENT FOR THE BILL. HOWEVER, I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE OF THE A/C CONDENSER IN FIVE YEARS OF FULL TIME USE WAS UNACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE FOR THIS PART. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0