Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2020 BMW X3 — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.
Run a VIN →Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every BMW X3 year.
NHTSA has issued a "do not drive" warning covering 1 recall on this make, model and year. Repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Recalls are issued per model. Confirm whether this specific car has already been repaired using its VIN — free, at any franchised dealer or on nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA lists 16 recalls for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, and X3 M40i vehicles, X4 xDrive30i, and X4 M40i vehicles. The front axle swivel bearings may not have been properly heat treated during manufacturing, reducing their strength and possibly causing them to break.
Risk: Broken swivel bearings can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW has notified owners and instructed them to not drive their vehicles. Dealers will replace the front axle swivel bearings, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 19V678000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
Campaign 25V636000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V598000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 21V096000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i, and 2018-2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3M vehicles. The instrument panel casing may not have been tightened properly to the passenger air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel casing, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V152000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Campaign 19V684000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, X4M, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, M8 Gran Coupe, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, and 840i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The sensors in the front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the air bag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V164000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
Risk: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Remedy: BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V601000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 BMW X3 M40i and X4 M40i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW has notified owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 19V738000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.
Risk: A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Campaign 20V355000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 21V598000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
Risk: A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V490000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 sDrive40i, X3 xDrive40i and X3M40i vehicles. These vehicles were not programmed with rearview camera software during assembly, therefore, when the transmission is shifted to reverse, a rearview image is not displayed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can increase the risk of a crash when reversing.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will program the affected vehicles with rearview camera software, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. All vehicles have been remedied as of November 9, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V443000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 23V211000
Issue: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 24V534000
Issue: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2022 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the rear cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
Risk: Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.
Campaign 24V764000
The parts named most often across 107 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”
1 crash
3 fires
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.
Heat Management Module HMM is bad. BMW used a plastic part that is right up against the engine block. This HMM Heat Management Module resulted in STOPPING the vehicle completely in the middle of the freeway. I had no control. Then the car drove, then stopped again. I had NO CONTROL over the vehicle. Weeks later the Drivetrain Malfunction warning light appeared as i was driving home late at night from the ER. I took it to my BMW dealer. The diagnostic test was performed and was told the Heat Management Module HMM needed to be replaced at a cost to me of $3000. I contacted BMW USA, explained what transpired and they responded with a denial. I stopped driving the car completely after i found other complaints about BMW using an inferior part on the 3 series and the same issue about the car stopping in highway traffic without any control. I later got my BMW repaired, at the BMW dealer, as i could not afford to buy another car. I have the defective inferior part in my possession for inspection by NHTSA. BMW refuses to recall the Heat Management Module HMM and will not address the Drivetrain Malfunction warning light. I would like this to be escalated and investigated by NHTSA.gov so that others may be safe when driving please. Thank you.
I own a 2020 BMW X3 M40i, VIN [XXX], manufactured November 2019, now at approximately 100,000 miles, equipped with the B58TU engine. My oil level sensor stopped completing measurements at approximately 45,000 miles, a known precursor to thermoplastic oil pump failure. For 55,000 miles I had no way to identify whether my vehicle contained the defective component because BMW removed the original thermoplastic part number from all dealer networks. VIN-based lookup now falsely returns updated metal component information regardless of what is physically present in the vehicle. This makes proactive identification impossible for both owners and dealers, meaning the defect cannot be remediated even by willing owners. I had no actionable path forward. On [XXX] I was driving on a Florida highway at 80 mph when a low oil pressure warning appeared. I pulled over immediately. A fault log pulled at 2:05PM showed code 1C3002. A second log pulled at 6:49PM after briefly running the engine showed three additional oil system faults including 1C2002 - engine oil pump pressure too low - indicating active progressive failure within hours. This failure occurred in 90 degree Florida summer heat, not cold weather. If NHTSA’s investigation is scoped around cold climate failures, my case demonstrates that scope is incomplete and the affected population is broader than currently documented. Carfax records confirm 18 total service records over 100,000+ miles, including 8 dealer visits between 18,000 and 50,000 miles under active CPO warranty. This vehicle has been consistently and properly maintained throughout its life. The vehicle became a safety hazard at highway speed without adequate warning. I will file a second complaint after physical inspection confirming which pump variant is actually present. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
reporting a safety issue with BMW vehicles equipped with the B58TU engine, primarily 2019-2021 models. These vehicles have an oil pump with an internal plastic component that regulates oil pressure, and this part is fracturing in the field, causing sudden loss of oil pressure. The failure typically occurs during cold starts in low temperatures. When it fails, oil pressure becomes erratic or is lost entirely, often with little to no warning before engine damage or vehicle disablement. Warning signs, when present, include inability to measure oil level electronically, abnormal oil pressure, or sudden drivetrain malfunction warnings. These can rapidly progress to engine shutdown or severe damage from oil starvation. This creates a dangerous situation because the vehicle can become disabled without warning while driving or after startup. This is especially hazardous when cars become immobilized in traffic or during winter conditions when failures occur most frequently, leaving occupants exposed to freezing temperatures while awaiting assistance. Pump replacement requires extensive disassembly and commonly costs $6,000-$8,000, assuming no engine damage. A critical concern: owners cannot determine if their vehicle has the original plastic pump or the later metal revision. BMW's VIN-based parts lookup now shows updated components even when original plastic parts remain installed, and BMW has removed the original plastic part number from dealer networks entirely. Failures are reported across multiple production years, and the scope of affected vehicles remains unclear. Because this condition causes sudden vehicle disablement without adequate warning, especially in cold weather, I believe this warrants investigation as a potential safety-related defect.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the drivetrain warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, causing the vehicle to jerk and run rough. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a heat management module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,404.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and turning the engine off, approximately 10 minutes later a burning rubber odor was present inside the cablin of the vehicle and smoke was present coming from under the hood. The contact opened the hood discovered flames coming from the engine. The fire and police departments were called to the scene and the fire was extinguished the flame. During the incident the vehicle destroyed and later lowed away. A fire and police report was taken. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: ( ). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 65,000.
I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and potentially dangerous mechanical failures involving my vehicle that have repeatedly occurred despite numerous repair attempts by the dealership. Over the past year, I have taken my vehicle to the dealership more than 10 times for serious recurring issues. The problems have included: Drivetrain malfunction warnings Engine warning lights Oil leaks Smoke coming from the vehicle The vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral while driving Sudden loss of drivability requiring the vehicle to be towed The dealership has repeatedly stated that the issues were repaired, and at one point even provided a one-year warranty on the repair work. Despite this, the same problems have continued to occur. Most recently, the drivetrain malfunction warning and engine light returned again, smoke came from the vehicle, and the car shifted into neutral on its own, becoming completely undriveable and requiring towing. I have spent more than $10,000 on repairs related to these ongoing issues, yet the vehicle remains unreliable and unsafe. My primary concern is the safety risk posed by the drivetrain failure and the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral while in operation. I am requesting that this matter be reviewed as a potential vehicle safety issue. I believe these repeated failures may present a serious risk not only to myself but potentially to other drivers as well. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was released, the auto start feature failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine starter. The contact was informed that the engine starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced a recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System) however the contact's VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
While stopped at a red light, my front sunroof panel exploded/shattered. My brother and I heard a loud bang. No object hit the sunroof. It was visible that the glass was bubbled outward. And, the 4 corners had cracking. Lucky the roof liner was closed and no glass hit us.
The heated seat element had a runway incident that caused the seat to smoke and burn a hole through multiple layers and ultimately damaging the airbag sensor mat disabling the passenger airbag system
It has come to my attention that liquid from the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system may leak onto the water pump electrical connector. This condition can lead to an electrical short circuit and, in rare cases, may increase the risk of a vehicle fire. This issue presents a serious safety concern for vehicle owners and others on the road. A failure of this nature, especially one that carries a fire risk, warrants immediate review and corrective action. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter and determine whether a safety recall is necessary to address this defect. The dealership noticed the leak beginning at the weep hole of the waterpump. No incident occurred this is for preventive measures and review for recall and reimbursement
Due to a TSB (SIB 65 12 22) wherein the roof antennae leaks water and causes a short in the telemetry module, the car does not have pedestrian warning, navigation or backup camera / cross traffic warning. The car is drivable, but compromised from a safety perspective.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do 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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Showing 12 of 107 complaints.
NHTSA frontal crash test
Rated configuration: 2020 BMW X3 SUV RWD
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model (naming may differ or it predates EPA records).