Does the 2010 BMW X3 SAV have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 BMW X3 SAV, the most recent reported on March 2, 2022 (Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW X3 SAV?

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (15 complaints), followed by steering (3).

How many 2010 BMW X3 SAV complaints mention a crash or fire?

1 of 23 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2010 BMW X3 SAV recalls and problems

3 recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2010 BMW X3 SAV.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2010 BMW X3 SAV recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)

NHTSA campaign 22V119000 · reported March 2, 2022 · BMW of North America, LLC · 917,106 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
The risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
The fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 16V071000 · reported February 5, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC · 840,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and engine cooling: engine

NHTSA campaign 14V176000 · reported April 10, 2014 · BMW of North America, LLC · 156,137 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
The risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags15
Steering3
Electrical system2
Engine2
Structure2
Engine and engine cooling1
Unknown or other1
Visibility1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 4, 2018 · Air bags · 97,535 miles
ON MAY 31 2018 I TOOK MY X3 IN TO ROSEVILLE BMW FOR AIR BAG RECALL #B651617 PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT THEY TOLD MW PART ON ORDER AND DO NOT HAVE ANY PERSON SEATING IN THAT SEAT UBTILL RECALL IS COMPLEITED. IT IS NOW OCT 4 2018 AND NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE. I JUST GOT 2 MORE RECALL NOTICES FROM ROSEVILLE BMW STATING TO…

May 3, 2018 · Structure · 74,000 miles · fire reported
IN MOTION WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING. STATIONARY WHEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES

Nov 22, 2017 · Air bags
TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR HAS BEEN ON THE RECALL LIST FOR YEARS AND THE DEALER NEVER SEEMS TO HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE.

Jun 16, 2017 · Air bags · 59,000 miles
IT'S BEEN 17 MONTHS AND BMW NA HAS NOT MOVED ON REPAIRING MY CAR.

Apr 28, 2017 · Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE…

X3 SAV model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2007	2	160	5	20
2008	2	56	1	1
2009	2	16	0	2
2010	3	23	1	1
2011	1	13	0	0
2012	0	6	1	0

Across all years, the 2007 X3 SAV has the most complaints (160). All BMW X3 SAV years →

Questions

Does the 2010 BMW X3 SAV have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 BMW X3 SAV, the most recent reported on March 2, 2022 (Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW X3 SAV?: Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (15 complaints), followed by steering (3).
How many 2010 BMW X3 SAV complaints mention a crash or fire?: 1 of 23 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 4, 2018.