The Lemon Index
2007
2009Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,622 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 3 complaints in its first 3 years.
3 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2008 BMW X3
- Engine stalling10 complaintsmostly at 59,000–139,000 miles (95,000–224,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 122 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW X3 (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 22V119000 (engine), 20V017000 (airbags) and 17V683000 (engine) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done? (6 owners named a airbags repair bill; the middle one was $1,100.)
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and BMW's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 3 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every BMW X3 year →
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2004–2010 BMW X3, in U.S. dollars.
- Airbagsone repair bill$1,000–$1,200middle $1,100 · 6 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10296162, 10356602, 10552151
Not enough reports yet for a number: Electrical (4), Engine (4), Cooling (2), 4x4 & axles (1), A/C & heat (1), Suspension (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 198 YouTube videos · 17.7M views · 2004–2010 BMW X3
Prices people quote
- Price when new$42,1354 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x41.3M views
BMW X3 (E83) 2004-2010 Transfer Case Oil Change - DIY RepairBentleyPublishers · 512K views · 10 videos - Oil changes & service863K views
Tire Pressure Reset on a BMW X3 E83AskTheCarExperts · 347K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical796K views
BMW X3 Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay // How to Install (2004-2010)JD Cars · 149K views · 14 videos - Cooling system675K views
BMW E83 X3 Water Pump & Thermostat Replacement DIY (BMW N52 128i, 325i, 328i, 330i, 528i, X3, X5)FCP Euro · 105K views · 10 videos
Show 4 more
- Brakes & ABS499K views
BMW X3 E83 M Sport 4x4+ABS+Brake lights! How I Fixed it!Build&Drive · 196K views · 6 videos - Transmission & shifter270K views
BMW X3 E83 Automatic transmission fluid serviceChris Thompson · 126K views · 3 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets224K views
How to Replace Valve Cover Gasket 2007-12 BMW X3TRQ · 108K views · 5 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors222K views
Fix Broken BMW X3 (e83) Window -- Drive-Dogs Replacement - Regulator RepairVoxRobot · 93K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
BMW X3 Buyers guide E83 (2004-2010) Avoid buying a broken BMW X3 (2.0d, 3.0d, 2.0i 2.5ii, 3.0i)The Miles Driven · 120K views
BMW X3 my-2004-2010- buyers reviewAutoblog · 118K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 5
- Engine · recall issued 2022
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Engine · recall issued 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Show all 5 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,000–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every BMW X3 year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 19 BMW X3 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/bmw-x3/?y=2008" title="BMW X3 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="583" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/bmw-x3/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 BMW X3 reliability)</p>
Scores are per model year, so a year with several engines shows the same score next to each one. An empty complaints bar means too few complaints to score that year; a gray dot means not enough YouTube videos. Sources: Wikipedia: BMW B48 · Wikipedia: BMW B58 · Wikipedia: BMW M54 · Wikipedia: BMW N20 · Wikipedia: BMW N52 · Wikipedia: BMW N55 · Wikipedia: BMW S58 · EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Quick answers
Is the 2008 BMW X3 reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,622 were sold in the U.S. in 2008 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 BMW X3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (100%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW X3 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW X3 get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 BMW X3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 100% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 BMW X3 cost in fuel a year?
About $4,000 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 BMW X3 have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What BMW X3 year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works