2016 BMW X3 recalls and problems

5 recalls and 82 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 BMW X3.

5
recalls
82
owner complaints
7
complaints mentioning a crash
3
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.

2016 BMW X3 recalls

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, pump · Electrical system: wiring, connectors/plugs/receptacles

NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · reported August 13, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC · 720,796 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
The risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel system, diesel

NHTSA campaign 21V907000 · reported November 19, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC · 50,404 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
The risk
A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel system, diesel: delivery, fuel pump

NHTSA campaign 21V586000 · reported July 29, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC · 11,216 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, gas recirculation valve (egr valve)

NHTSA campaign 18V755000 · reported October 25, 2018 · BMW of North America, LLC · 44,368 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
The risk
The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Child seat: latch strap

NHTSA campaign 16V333000 · reported May 23, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC · 188,668 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
The risk
Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Most reported problems

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

What owners report

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

Jul 17, 2026 · Electrical system

While driving on a two-lane 40 MPH road in the left lane the vehicle suddenly lost power, stopped in traffic, and displayed a transmission warning message. Multiple warning lights were "on" and the car would not restart. Additionally, the vehicle would not come out of "Park." Occupants needed to await police who…

Jul 1, 2026 · Fuel system, diesel · 98,773 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled with the drive train warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure and the…

Mar 5, 2026 · Engine

Key Details of BMW EGR Recall: • Affected Models: Primarily 2013-2018 BMW 328d/xDrive, 535d/xDrive, 740Ld, X3 xDrive28d, and X5 XDrive35d. • The Problem: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may leak coolant internally, which can mix with soot to form flammable deposits, potentially leading to a Fire I was…

Feb 4, 2026 · Steering · 70,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMX X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The RPM was elevated; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. No…

Dec 2, 2025 · Engine and engine cooling

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair and stated that since the vehicle was manufactured in…

X3 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2013 7226410
2014 68661
2015 710587
2016 58273
2017 692102
2018 117642
2019 1017152

Across all years, the 2013 X3 has the most complaints (226). All BMW X3 years →

Questions

Does the 2016 BMW X3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 BMW X3, the most recent reported on August 13, 2024 (Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, pump, Electrical system: wiring, connectors/plugs/receptacles). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW X3?
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (23 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (18).
How many 2016 BMW X3 complaints mention a crash or fire?
7 of 82 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 17, 2026.