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2009 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 is a system that helps control emissions by releasing pressure from the engine. It has a small heater that can sometimes short circuit.
Risk if Unfixed
If the PCV valve heater shorts, it could melt the surrounding parts, causing a fire even when your car is parked and not in use.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty PCV valve heater with a new one for free. You'll get a notification letter, and you should schedule the repair when you receive it.
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
The driver air bag in your vehicle has a small module that inflates the bag in case of a crash. In some older BMW models, this module could burst and send sharp metal fragments flying towards you and your passengers.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag module explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments towards you and your passengers, potentially causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty air bag module free of charge. This repair is completely free, and you should schedule it as soon as you get 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 sensor in your X3's front passenger seat is like a special mat that helps the airbag decide whether to deploy in an accident. Over time, this mat can crack and break down.
Risk if Unfixed
If the mat fails, the airbag in front of the passenger seat won't work, even if you need it in a crash. This increases the risk of serious injury to the passenger.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty mat with a new one, at no cost to you. They'll notify you when the parts are available, and you should schedule the repair as soon as possible.
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
2008
3 recalls
2007
3 recalls
2006
2 recalls
2005
2 recalls
2004
1 recall

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