The 2023 BMW X3 has 4 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (4 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints15filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
2023 BMW X3 in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Starter assembly
NHTSA recall 26V056000 · Jan 30, 2026 · 87,394 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Lock
NHTSA recall 25V106000 · Feb 20, 2025 · 40,736 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
NHTSA recall 23V821000 · Dec 6, 2023 · 552 vehicles
Problem: 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. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
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.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2023 BMW X3 SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
17.1%
2023 BMW X3 SUV RWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
17.2%
2023 BMW X3 M SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
X3 sDrive30i
25mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel
X3 xDrive30i
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
X3 M40i Hybrid
23mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
X3 M
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
X3 M Competition
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 2, 2026Engine I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring coolant leak and cooling-system issue with my 2023 BMW X3. I began receiving repeated âlow coolantâ warnings on the vehicle's dashboard. The coolant was topped off, but the warning continued to return, indicating that this was not simply a low-fluid or routine maintenance issue. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by BMW, and a coolant leak was identified in the engine compartment. I was informed that certain components associated with the cooling system were made with plastic and were exposed to significant heat, which contributed to the components failing and causing coolant to leak. BMW ultimately had to replace the affected…
Jul 1, 2026Engine I am submitting this complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall on my vehicle. The recall has been outstanding for approximately three months. and I have been informed that there is still no remedy available. I understand that some recalls may require time for manufacture to develop and distriubute a repair, however , this is a safety related recall and leaving consumers with a known safety defect for months without an available remedy creates a serious concern. I have tried to raise a concern about not feeling safe driving the car , however they seem to not care about the concept. What concerns me the most is that I am being asked to continue living with a vehicle that has already…
Aug 29, 2026Electrical system On 8/11/2026 at 26,039 miles, BMW of Mt. Kisco (NY) replaced the engine starter under safety recall B121026 (RO #123380). On 8/29/2026, 331 miles later, the vehicle failed completely. It would not start, displayed an "engine starter faulty" message, and could not be shifted out of park into neutral. The vehicle was completely immobile and had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer's repair order states the technician connected a battery charger, found BDC (body domain controller) faults for the starter motor, and performed a battery reset and BDC reset, after which the vehicle started. No root cause was identified and no parts were replaced. The battery was subsequently load tested and found…
Sep 2, 2026Electrical system The contact owns a 2023 BMW X3. The contact stated that after purchasing the salvaged vehicle at an auction, the contact became aware while attempting to register the vehicle, that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V438000 (Electrical System). A dealer was contacted for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Jul 1, 2026Engine Mileage: 31,694 (bought [new]) The engine starter intermittently fails to crank the engine and, per an open manufacturer recall, presents a fire risk while the vehicle is running. On multiple occasions the vehicle struggled to start during normal use. There was no crash, no injury, and no airbag deployment. To isolate the issue I contacted my authorized BMW dealer three times 07/01/2026, 07/16/2026 & 07/27/2026; on each call I was told no recall remedy is currently available and to call back in approximately one month. The vehicle remains subject to the open starter recall with no repair available. No relevant aftermarket equipment is installed.
May 13, 2026Electrical system The contact owns a 2023 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V056000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.Â
Mar 6, 2025Steering On the evening of Wednesday March 6th 2025, as I turned into the street where I live, my car became difficult to steer. It felt like I had developed a front flat tire on one side, but there was no indication of low tire pressure on the dash. I was moving around 5 miles an hour and with some difficulty, could navigate the car to the curb on my street and park it in front of my home. I could not attend to the car on Thursday or Friday since I was busy at work. On Friday night I contacted BMW towing and arranged the car to be towed on Saturday to the dealer from whom I had purchased the car. The dealer confirmed that the car was not steerable. They put up the car on the rack and sent me a…
Feb 1, 2024Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch The driver-side front door sometimes gets stuck and cannot be opened from the outside. Additionally, the left rear door cannot be opened from the inside. This issue has been occurring since [provide the earliest date you remember, e.g., âmid-2023â] and happens intermittently. It poses a serious safety risk in case of an emergency, as passengers may be unable to exit the vehicle quickly. The problem has not been confirmed or repaired by a dealer yet. There were no warning lights or error messages related to this issue. Additionally, the air conditioning system is not functioning properly, and there is no cold air even when the A/C is turned on. This issue started around [2024], and no…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.