40 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
On certain BMW X3 vehicles, the steering spindle—the part that connects the steering wheel to the steering column—may not have been properly attached. This is a problem with the physical connection inside the steering system, between the steering wheel and the column beneath it. If this connection is not secure, the way the vehicle steers could be affected.
On affected vehicles, the engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Certain 2025 and 2026 BMW X3 vehicles may experience unexpected movement of the steering wheel while the vehicle is stationary, meaning it isn't being driven at that moment. The steering wheel can rotate on its own, without the driver turning it, even though no one is actively steering the vehicle.
Certain BMW X3, X4, Z4, and Toyota Supra vehicles have an engine starter relay that can corrode over time. Once corroded, the relay may overheat and short circuit. This electrical problem can increase the risk of a fire, whether the vehicle is being driven or is already parked.
⚠ NHTSA advises: park outside and away from structures (fire risk).
The front brake discs on affected vehicles may have been damaged during transport, before they were ever installed on the vehicle.
The electrical connection between the starter-generator and the battery in your vehicle may come loose. If this happens while you're driving, your engine could stall. The wiring involved in this connection may also overheat. Dealers will inspect the starter-generator and battery cable and replace them if necessary, free of charge. BMW has already mailed an interim letter about this, and a second letter will follow once the full repair is ready.
On some BMW X3 vehicles, the rear brake hoses may develop a leak. If that happens, the vehicle can lose rear brake function, and it can also lose the Antilock Brake System and Dynamic Stability Control, systems that help keep the vehicle stable.
On some 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive vehicles, the connection between the positive battery cable and the starter-generator may not have been tightened properly, which can cause it to overheat.
Certain BMW X3 vehicles have door locking modules on the second-row side doors that may not work correctly. Normally, unlocking and opening a rear door takes separate steps. But with this problem, those doors could be unlocked and opened at the same time with just one motion, meaning a single accidental movement could open the door instead of just unlocking it.
The swivel bearing at the front left wheel may crack. If it does, it can cause the driver to lose handling and control of the vehicle.
On some 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive vehicles, the gas generator inside the right-side head curtain airbag may have been put together incorrectly during assembly. This could cause the airbag to deploy late or not work the way it's supposed to in a crash. Dealers will inspect the airbag and replace it if needed, free of charge. None of these vehicles have been sold yet.
Some new X3 SUVs may have a front passenger air bag with damaged fabric. The damage is believed to have happened while the air bag was being shipped between suppliers before it was installed in the vehicle. If the fabric is damaged, the air bag may not inflate the way it's supposed to in a crash. That means it may not protect the front passenger as intended, raising the risk of injury if a crash occurs. None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet.
BMW is recalling certain X3 models. The bracket that holds the cargo rail in the rear of the vehicle can be damaged in a rear-end crash, and the rail can come loose and separate from the vehicle. Dealers will replace the bolts that hold the rear cargo rail in place, free of charge. Vehicles covered by this recall had work done for this same problem under an earlier recall, and they still need the new repair.
BMW is recalling certain X3 vehicles, including the sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i and X3 M. The attachment that holds the interior cargo rail in place can be damaged if the vehicle is struck from behind, and the cargo rail can then come loose inside the vehicle. Dealers will replace the bolts that fasten the rear cargo rail at no cost. Owners have been sent notification letters about this repair.
Some BMW X3, X4, X5, X6 and Toyota GR Supra vehicles have a transmission control unit with a cover that was not welded correctly. Because of this manufacturing issue, automatic transmission oil can leak into the control unit. If oil gets inside, it can cause the transmission gears to seize up, which suddenly takes away the vehicle's drive power.
BMW is recalling certain 2024 vehicles, including 2 Series Coupe, 3 Series, X3, and X4 models. The steering gear on these vehicles may not have been tightened properly, which can allow it to become loose. If the steering gear loosens, it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
On certain BMW 330i, M340i xDrive, X3, X3M, X4, and X4M vehicles, the frame of a seat may not have been welded to the seat rails properly. Because the weld may not be secure, the seat frame might not hold and support the occupant the way it's supposed to if the vehicle is in a crash, which raises the chance of injury.
BMW says the high-pressure fuel rail on certain X1 and X3 vehicles may develop a crack. If the fuel rail cracks, fuel can leak out inside the engine compartment.
Some BMW X3 and X4 vehicles have a transmission mechatronics unit that may not have been assembled correctly, which could cause an internal leak.
During engine start-up, a problem with the engine's control software may cause a loss of brake assist. Full mechanical braking, without the assist, would still be available. Losing brake assist increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will update the engine control software on affected vehicles, free of charge.
On certain 2018-2019 BMW X3 and 2019 X4 models, the system that senses whether the front passenger seat is occupied may have been put together incorrectly. This can make the system think the seat is empty even when someone is sitting in it, which turns off the front passenger air bag.
Some BMW X3 and X4 vehicles have a fuel tank inlet check valve where the weld holding it in place may fail. If this weld fails, the pipe that fills the fuel tank can separate from the tank itself. Once separated, fuel from the tank may leak out of the vehicle.
BMW is recalling certain 2019-2021 cars and SUVs across many models because of a problem with the backup camera. When the driver shifts into reverse, a small part of the picture behind the vehicle may be hidden, or the screen may not light up at all. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet the federal safety rule for rear visibility. Dealers will check the backup camera software and update it if needed.
BMW is recalling certain X3, X4, 5 Series and M5 vehicles, including the X3 sDrive 30i and xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5 and 550e models. A small part of the picture shown by the rearview camera may be slightly blocked. Because of this, these vehicles do not meet the federal safety standard covering rear visibility.
Certain plug-in hybrid BMW and MINI models, along with the BMW i8, may have debris that got into one or more cells of the high-voltage hybrid battery during manufacturing. This debris can cause a short-circuit inside the battery. A short-circuit like this raises the chance of a fire starting in the vehicle, or of someone being injured.
In certain plug-in hybrid BMW and MINI models, loose metal welding beads inside the hybrid battery could form a conductive path between battery cells that are not supposed to be connected to each other. This stray connection could cause the battery to short-circuit. Dealers will inspect the battery modules and replace them if necessary, and the repair is free of charge for the owner.
Some 2020 BMW X3 sDrive40i, X3 xDrive40i, and X3 M40i vehicles left the factory without the rearview camera software installed. Because of this, when the driver shifts into reverse, no rearview camera image appears on the screen.
Certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles may have a steering gear tie rod that becomes damaged. This can happen in certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces. This damage can develop gradually before resulting in an actual fracture of the tie rod.
BMW is recalling certain 2020 X3, X4, 3 Series, 8 Series and M models. Sensors inside the front seat belt buckles can wrongly read a buckled-up driver or front passenger as not wearing the belt. Because of that, the airbags and the seat belt tighteners may not go off the way they should if the car is in a crash. Dealers will check the front seat belt buckles and replace them if needed.
The casing around the instrument panel on these vehicles may not have been fastened tightly enough to the passenger air bag. If the air bag has to inflate during a crash, it could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces to break off and strike the driver or passengers. Dealers will replace the instrument panel casing for free.
BMW is recalling certain 2020 X3 M40i and X4 M40i vehicles. Inside the steering system, there is a rack and pinion, and the teeth on the pinion gear may break while the vehicle is under load. If the pinion teeth break, the driver could lose control of the vehicle's steering, meaning the steering wheel would no longer properly turn the wheels.
On certain BMW, Rolls-Royce and Toyota Supra models, the backup camera and display settings can be adjusted so the rear-view image no longer shows on the screen. Once set this way, the system keeps that setting the next time the vehicle is put in reverse, so no camera image appears.
Some BMW X3 and X4 SUVs have front axle swivel bearings that may not have been properly heat treated during manufacturing. This can leave the bearings weaker than they should be, and they could break.
⚠ NHTSA advises: do not drive this vehicle until repaired.
On certain X3 and X4 vehicles, the frame inside the front seatback, on the driver's or passenger's side, may not have been welded correctly. This can allow the seatback to suddenly fold forward or backward instead of staying upright. If this happens during a crash, the seat may not hold the occupant in place the way it should, which increases the risk of injury.
The instrument panel on these vehicles may have been manufactured incorrectly. Because of how the panel was put together, it may affect whether the front passenger air bag deploys the way it is supposed to. This means the air bag positioned in front of the passenger seat may not function correctly when it needs to inflate, affecting the passenger sitting in that seat.
The pistons inside the rear brake calipers on these vehicles may not have enough protective coating applied to them. Without sufficient coating, the rear brake calipers may not work as well as intended, which can reduce how well the rear brakes perform when the vehicle is stopping.
On some vehicles, the outer rear turn signal glows red while the inner rear turn signal glows amber at the same time. Because the two lights flash different colors together, the turn signals don't work the way they're supposed to.
Some BMW X3 models with the Active Lane Keeping Assistant may have a steering wheel that isn't compatible with this system. Because of this mismatch, the system may fail to detect when the driver's hands are off the steering wheel.
BMW is recalling certain 2018 X3 xDrive30i and X3 M40i vehicles because the rear spoiler may not have been properly attached during assembly, or the spoiler may be missing screws. Either problem can cause the spoiler to come loose and detach from the vehicle while it is being driven, leaving it in the roadway where it becomes a hazard for other vehicles.
BMW is recalling certain 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2, and X3 xDrive 30i vehicles. A software error in the instrument panel may prevent the display from lighting up properly. This can happen at startup or while driving, and can affect warning and control symbols shown on the display. Dealers will update the instrument cluster display software to fix the problem, free of charge to owners.
Recalls and NHTSA owner complaints for each model year, side by side. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and better-selling or older years naturally collect more — read this as a record, not a ranking.
| Model year | Recalls | High / critical | Do-not-drive / park-outside | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 74 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 2019 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 168 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 2020 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 109 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| 2021 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 109 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 74 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 2023 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| 2025 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 38 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA lists 40 safety recalls covering the 2018–2025 BMW X3. 29 of them are rated high or critical on this site. The most recent is "BMW X3 Steering Spindle May Be Loose" (NHTSA campaign 26V524000), reported Aug 12, 2026.
The 2020 BMW X3 has the most, with 16 recalls. The 2024 model year has the fewest of the years we cover, with 3. Newer model years have had less time to collect recalls, so a low count on a recent year is not a guarantee.
Yes. 2 BMW X3 recalls carry a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory from NHTSA: BMW and Toyota Supra Starter Relay Fire Risk (25V636000); BMW X3 And X4 Front Bearing Failure (19V678000). These apply only to the affected vehicles, so check your VIN.
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall often applies to only some vehicles of a model year, and the VIN lookup shows the ones still unrepaired on your car. Recall repairs are free at any franchised BMW dealer, including for second owners.
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: