NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 BMW X3 SAV Recalls & Complaints

The 2009 BMW X3 SAV has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 16 owner complaints on file as of October 21, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 BMW X3 SAV. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2009 BMW X3 SAV owner complaints

Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW X3 SAV, describing incidents dated June 1, 2010 to May 18, 2018.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 10 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Seats 3 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Seat Belts 1 complaint

Of the 16 complaints on file, 2 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11096943 · Filed May 20, 2018
RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER 2017 AND BMW HAS YET TO HAVE A REMEDY/SOLVE FOR THE ISSUE. WE ARE OVER 6 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL AND THIS IS FAR PAST A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO ADDRESS A SAFETY ISSUE.
ODI #10986238 · Filed May 17, 2017
BMW SENT LETTER 3/2016 ABOUT RECALL AND CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR MY CARS RECALL.I HAVE CHECK SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LAST YEAR LOCALLY AND THEN ANOTHER NEARBY DEALERSHIP CLOSE BY IN ANOTHER TOWN. THEY SAID THEY WOULD PLACE ME ON A CALL LIST AND THAT HAS BEEN 7 MTHS…
ODI #10947615 · Filed January 25, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME…

Read all 16 complaints

PCV Heater May Short Circuit

NHTSA #22V119000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Crankcase (PCV) · NHTSA notice

Reported March 2, 2022 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 917,106 vehicles

Repair completion: 35.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)

Owners notified July 22, 2022

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V071000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 5, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 840,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.28% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)

Owners notified November 1, 2016 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2009 BMW X3 SAV. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

16 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 BMW X3 SAV.

Air Bags; Seats

ODI #11096943

Incident: May 18, 2018 · Filed: May 20, 2018

RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER 2017 AND BMW HAS YET TO HAVE A REMEDY/SOLVE FOR THE ISSUE. WE ARE OVER 6 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL AND THIS IS FAR PAST A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO ADDRESS A SAFETY ISSUE.

Air Bags

ODI #10986238

Incident: October 1, 2016 · Filed: May 17, 2017

BMW SENT LETTER 3/2016 ABOUT RECALL AND CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR MY CARS RECALL.I HAVE CHECK SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LAST YEAR LOCALLY AND THEN ANOTHER NEARBY DEALERSHIP CLOSE BY IN ANOTHER TOWN. THEY SAID THEY WOULD PLACE ME ON A CALL LIST AND THAT HAS BEEN 7 MTHS AGO. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE WAITING FOR ME TO GET RID OF THE CAR, BUT IN THE MEANTIME I AM AT RISK IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHAT DO I DO? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ADVICE

Air Bags

ODI #10947615

Incident: March 5, 2016 · Filed: January 25, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Electrical System; Air Bags; Seats

ODI #10927446

Incident: October 7, 2015 · Filed: November 22, 2016

NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS PE07045 AND EA08001 DETERMINED MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE FRONT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT AND DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000 WAS ISSUED HOWEVER ONLY COVERS MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 OF THE BMW X3 SAV. REQUEST NHTSA CONDUCT FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS TO EXPAND THE EXISTING RECALL TO COVER ALL 2004-2009 MODEL YEARS OF THE FIRST GENERATION BMW X3 SAV WHICH MANY OWNERS ONLINE CAN CONCUR EXHIBIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF THIS SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT POSES A SEVERE SAFETY RISK.

Air Bags

ODI #10915833

Incident: October 3, 2016 · Filed: October 13, 2016

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF A LETTER TO PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LUDWIG WEILLISCH REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SAFETY PARTS NEEDED FOR THE AIRBAGS ON HIS VEHICLES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS FAMILY OWN THREE BMW'S THAT ARE ALL AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. *JB

Air Bags

ODI #10903322

Incident: September 2, 2016 · Filed: September 2, 2016

TAKATA RECALL BMW NOT OFFERING LOANER PROGRAM AND ALSO NO DATE AVAILABLE FOR DRIVERS FRONT AIRBAG PARTS EVEN THOUGH ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE WAS MARCH 2016.

Air Bags

ODI #10902898

Incident: September 1, 2016 · Filed: September 6, 2016

2009 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 2-3 YEARS. *JB

Air Bags

ODI #10881795

Incident: February 29, 2016 · Filed: June 30, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. HOWEVER, FIVE MONTHS LATER BMW HAS NOT REPLACED THE AIR BAG. THIS IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS. WHAT IS NHTSA DOING ABOUT THIS?

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10865284

Fire

Incident: May 16, 2016 · Filed: May 16, 2016

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNMOVED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IT SUDDENLY BROKE OUT IN FLAMES (ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT). THE FIRE GREW QUITE LARGE AND THE CAR EXPLODED (THE POLICE OFFICER'S WORD). SECURITY CAMERAS ON THE PROPERTY SHOW NO ONE IN THE AREA TO TAMPER WITH THE CAR. THIS WAS SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. A GOOGLE SEARCH OF "2009 BMW X3 FIRE" SHOWS MANY OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS.

Air Bags

ODI #10855695

Incident: April 11, 2016 · Filed: April 15, 2016

TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW, CALL THE LOCAL DEALER, HAVE BEEN PLACED ON A WAITING LIST BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. I AM CONCERN THAT IF THE AIR BAG INFLATES THERE IS A RISK OF DEATH BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPEN WITH OTHER VEHICLES EFFECT BY THIS RECALL.

Other BMW X3 SAV model years

Check your 2009 BMW X3 SAV VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW X3 SAV at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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