The Lemon Index2023 BMW X3. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 4
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S8) | RWD | 23 / 29 / 25 | Premium | $3,100 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (S8) | AWD | 21 / 28 / 24 | Premium | $3,200 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Auto (S8) | AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 | Premium | $4,550 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Auto (S8) | AWD | 21 / 26 / 23 | Premium | $3,350 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 27% |
| Body structure | 20% |
| Electrical | 20% |
| Automatic emergency braking | 13% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 7% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 4
26V056000 Jan 2026 Electrical System / Starter Assembly
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Risk. Fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
25V106000 Feb 2025 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Doors / Lock
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 X3 sDrive30i and X3 xDrive30i vehicles. The second-row seat side door locking modules may not function properly and allow the doors to be unlocked with a single motion. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Risk. Doors that can be inadvertently unlocked and unlatched may open unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury to rear seat occupants.
Remedy. Dealers will replace the second-row seat side door locking modules, free of charge. A letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on April 21, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 800-525-7417.
24V534000 Jul 2024 Structure
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
Risk. Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy. Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
23V821000 Dec 2023 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. T
Risk. Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Manufacturer communications 55
BMW filed 55 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- ?Water leaking into the vehicle from the headliner/microphone area
- This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1
- Various Check Control messages (CCM) can be displayed to the customer, which indicate a…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| BMW X3 SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| BMW X3 M SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | No | No |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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