2008 BMW X3 Sav Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2008 BMW X3 Sav, and owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2008 BMW X3 Sav
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)
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…
Remedy: 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…
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Inflator module (air bags)
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,…
Remedy: 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…
56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2008 BMW X3 Sav have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 64,693 miles. Complaints peaked in 2016 with 22 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The passenger seat occupancy sensor is defective. This is part of the "seat mat", which is under recall. BMW sent an initial notice of recall in september of 2017. As of april 20, 2018 the parts are s”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 20, 2018 · Air bags
“I have brought my vehicle to bloomfield nj dealership on several occasions in 2013, 2014, 2015 due to vehicles inability to shift gears swiftly, rmp going to 34,000 and transmission not shifting gears”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 12, 2018 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2008 BMW X3 (X3 3.0si). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–20 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–17 / 23–24 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6); Manual 6-spd |
Compare BMW X3 Sav model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW X3 Sav model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 BMW X3 Sav | 2 | 160 |
| 2008 BMW X3 Sav | 2 | 56 |
| 2009 BMW X3 Sav | 2 | 16 |
| 2010 BMW X3 Sav | 3 | 23 |
| 2011 BMW X3 Sav | 1 | 13 |
| 2012 BMW X3 Sav | 0 | 6 |
Checking a specific 2008 BMW X3 Sav
How do I know if my 2008 BMW X3 Sav has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2008 BMW X3 Sav; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 16V071000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.