NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
10 reportsClear category filter14,000 miles · Aug 8, 2025
Electrical System
The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer to be repaired under an undisclosed Takata recall repair; however, after the recall repair was performed, the horn became inoperable. Additionally, several buttons on the steering wheel also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken b…
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The contact owns a 2007 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer to be repaired under an undisclosed Takata recall repair; however, after the recall repair was performed, the horn became inoperable. Additionally, several buttons on the steering wheel also became inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the ignition switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #11679326
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine
Had it in bmw dealership for recall to be fixed, that caused my engine light to come on. My engine light was still in when I went back to get it. They said au had to pay $100.00 to have the engine light off. I said I'm not paying if it's a recall. They refused to do anything else. I took it home and put my code reader on it and …
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Had it in bmw dealership for recall to be fixed, that caused my engine light to come on. My engine light was still in when I went back to get it. They said au had to pay $100.00 to have the engine light off. I said I'm not paying if it's a recall. They refused to do anything else. I took it home and put my code reader on it and it was showing code for the part that Was not changed under recall. I have been calling them since and they have not called me back.
NHTSA ODI #11563800
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2023
Electrical System
The bmw dealer is not helping to perform the recall on my bmw x3 recall. the dealer in Murrieta, ca has been ignoring me and does not call me back. My vin# wbxpc93497wf04472
NHTSA ODI #11504993
112,520 miles · Jun 13, 2020
Electrical SystemSeatsInjury
THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING ELEMENT BURNED AND DAMAGED THE SKIN OF THE SEAT AND BURNED MY BACK WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. I WAS SO SURPRISED WHEN THIS HAPPENED THAT I JUMPED IN THE SEAT AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328626
160,000 miles · Jan 2, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
WHITE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND STOPPED. AFTER TO THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND STARTED AGAIN THE HEATER WAS NO LONGER WORKING. TOOK IN FOR THE REPAIR, WAS TOLD IT WAS A WATER PUMP. $1600 REPAIR 6 WEEKS AGO. LAST NIGHT 1/1/2020 WHILE DRIVING ON THE SAME HIGHWAY ALL THE LIGHTS BEGAN BLINK…
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WHITE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND STOPPED. AFTER TO THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND STARTED AGAIN THE HEATER WAS NO LONGER WORKING. TOOK IN FOR THE REPAIR, WAS TOLD IT WAS A WATER PUMP. $1600 REPAIR 6 WEEKS AGO. LAST NIGHT 1/1/2020 WHILE DRIVING ON THE SAME HIGHWAY ALL THE LIGHTS BEGAN BLINKING AND THE ENGINE CEASED AGAIN WITH THE INDICATOR LIGHTS SHOWING A TRANSMISSION ERROR.
NHTSA ODI #11296721
126,000 miles · Dec 1, 2019
Electrical System
BMW HAS KNOWLEDGE OF VARIOUS SOFTWARE ISSUES ,AND IF YOU THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,MIGHT URGE THEM TO MAKE SOFTWARE UPDATES READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR ,TRANSMISSION,DME,EGS,ALL THERE MODULES IT WOULD PROBABLY ELIMINATE 80%OF THERE COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA ODI #11283076
2 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 BMW X3 THE VEHICLE IN SAN ANTONIO ON BANDERA RD IT LOST POWER ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VECHILE STARTED TO SPUTTER TILL IT'S JUST DIED AND NOW WON'T TURN OVER EVERYTHING WORKS HAS POWER BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT CRANK OVER.
NHTSA ODI #11185565
660,060 miles · Dec 9, 2018
Electrical SystemFire
TURNED ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER AND IT BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AT THE LOWER LEFT SIDE OF THE OF THE SEAT UPRIGHT PORTION. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF WHEN SMELLED BURNING AND FELT EXTREMELY HOT AT LOWER BACK. DRIVER COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED. SAW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION. THIS …
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TURNED ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER AND IT BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AT THE LOWER LEFT SIDE OF THE OF THE SEAT UPRIGHT PORTION. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF WHEN SMELLED BURNING AND FELT EXTREMELY HOT AT LOWER BACK. DRIVER COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED. SAW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION. THIS COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE SOMEONE ESPECIALLY IF IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA ODI #11157132
100,000 miles · Jan 5, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A MOMENT, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A MOMENT, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKCASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11060666
69,000 miles · Oct 2, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainVisibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID AND WHEELS SEIZED. VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. GERMAIN BMW OF NAPLES (11286 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL) DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAIN WERE DEFECTIVE AND N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID AND WHEELS SEIZED. VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. GERMAIN BMW OF NAPLES (11286 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL) DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAIN WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PAN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000. *LN
NHTSA ODI #11031403
Official recalls
3Jan 15, 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Oct 30, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Sep 28, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗