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2010 BMW X3

4 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 #23V707000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The VANOS unit in your engine helps regulate the timing of your valves. The bolts that hold it in place can loosen over time and break, which is a problem.
Risk if Unfixed
If the VANOS bolts break, your engine could stall while you're driving, making it hard to control your vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the four VANOS bolts with new ones, completely free of charge. You should schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. 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 →
Critical #17V683000 Plain English
Component

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

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve in your vehicle helps keep the engine running smoothly by releasing pressure. The PCV valve has a small heater that could short circuit, which is a problem in certain 2007-2011 BMW models.
Risk if Unfixed
If the PCV valve heater short circuits, it can melt parts, which could cause a fire even when your car is parked and not in use. This is a serious risk of a fire, which could damage your vehicle and potentially harm you or others.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the PCV valve heater with a new one, free of charge. You'll receive a notice about the repair, and you should schedule it as soon as possible to get this safety fix done.
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's side airbag in your vehicle uses a small, explosive device to inflate the bag in the event of a crash. In some older BMW models, this device is more prone to exploding due to prolonged exposure to humid environments and extreme temperatures.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments flying towards you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new, safer one — and the repair is completely free. Schedule an appointment as soon as you receive the recall notice, and the dealership will take care of it for you.
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
Your X3's passenger airbag system uses a mat under the front passenger seat to decide whether to deploy the airbag in a crash. This mat can wear out over time and crack, which could cause the system to fail.
Risk if Unfixed
If the system fails, the airbag might not deploy in a crash, which could put you at risk of serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty mat for free. You'll get a notice with instructions on how to schedule the repair. It's essential to take care of this as soon as possible to ensure your safety.
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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2 recalls
AIR BAGS
2 recalls

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
2009
3 recalls
2008
3 recalls
2007
3 recalls
2006
2 recalls
2005
2 recalls
2004
1 recall

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