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2008 BMW X3

3 recalls Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #17V683000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The PCV valve in your vehicle helps control emissions by recirculating gases. The heater for this valve could overheat and short circuit, causing a fire hazard.
Risk if Unfixed
If the PCV valve heater shorts out, it could melt and cause a fire, even when your car is parked and turned off. This is a serious risk, as it could spread quickly and cause significant damage.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty PCV valve heater with a new one, free of charge. You'll be notified by mail, and you should schedule the repair as soon as you receive the notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #20V017000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle has a critical safety feature called the driver's frontal airbag inflator. It's a small part that helps deploy the airbag in a crash. Some of these inflators were made with a type of propellant that can break down over time, especially in hot and humid conditions.
Risk if Unfixed
If this inflator explodes, you could be seriously hurt or even killed by sharp metal fragments flying towards you. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate attention.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a safe one, free of charge. This repair is essential to ensure your safety, and you should schedule it as soon as possible when you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #17V605000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The occupant detection mat in your front passenger seat is a sensor that helps the airbag deploy correctly in a crash. Over time, it can crack and fail.
Risk if Unfixed
If this sensor fails, the airbag in front of your passenger might not deploy during a crash, putting them at risk of serious injury.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty sensor mat with a new one, free of charge. You'll get a notification letter when it's time to schedule the repair.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

AIR BAGS
2 recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 recall

Other BMW X3 Years

2026
1 recall
2025
8 recalls
2024
2 recalls
2023
4 recalls
2022
7 recalls
2021
10 recalls
2020
16 recalls
2019
10 recalls
2018
11 recalls
2017
6 recalls
2016
5 recalls
2015
7 recalls
2014
6 recalls
2013
7 recalls
2012
2 recalls
2011
4 recalls
2010
4 recalls
2009
3 recalls
2007
3 recalls
2006
2 recalls
2005
2 recalls
2004
1 recall

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