2011 BMW X3 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2011 BMW X3, and owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 2011 BMW X3
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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Engine (engine and engine cooling)
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…
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…
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Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)
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.
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…
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Latch strap (child seat)
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…
Remedy: 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…
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Electric power assist system (steering)
BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 x3 passenger vehicles manufactured from april 27, 2011, through june 8, 2011. A control module in the electric power steering (eps) unit may malfunction, resulting in a sudden loss of power steering assistance.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during august 2011. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2011 BMW X3 have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 74,510 miles. Complaints peaked in 2018 with 24 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Car would not start, diagnosed that the Cam shaft sensor was not showing a signal. Discovered BMW had a Vanos recall – (Campaign 23V-707) Contacted BMW of North Canton for recall. Dropped of the BMW o”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 5, 2026 · Power train
“Electronic power control issue caused the vehicle to loose power steering. After starting and driving the vehicle an alert message showed up saying chassis malfunction and power steering issues. Vehic”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 3, 2026 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2011 BMW X3 (X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 19 / 25–26 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
Compare BMW X3 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW X3 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 BMW X3 | 1 | 138 |
| 2005 BMW X3 | 1 | 103 |
| 2006 BMW X3 | 2 | 143 |
| 2007 BMW X3 | 3 | 98 |
| 2008 BMW X3 | 3 | 66 |
| 2009 BMW X3 | 3 | 19 |
| 2010 BMW X3 | 4 | 32 |
| 2011 BMW X3 | 4 | 113 |
| 2012 BMW X3 | 2 | 42 |
| 2013 BMW X3 | 7 | 226 |
| 2014 BMW X3 | 6 | 86 |
| 2015 BMW X3 | 7 | 105 |
| 2016 BMW X3 | 5 | 82 |
| 2017 BMW X3 | 6 | 92 |
| 2018 BMW X3 | 11 | 76 |
| 2019 BMW X3 | 10 | 170 |
| 2020 BMW X3 | 16 | 109 |
| 2021 BMW X3 | 10 | 111 |
| 2022 BMW X3 | 7 | 81 |
| 2023 BMW X3 | 4 | 15 |
| 2024 BMW X3 | 3 | 40 |
| 2025 BMW X3 | 9 | 38 |
| 2026 BMW X3 | 2 | 19 |
Checking a specific 2011 BMW X3
How do I know if my 2011 BMW X3 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. 4 campaigns currently list the 2011 BMW X3; 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 11V341000).
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
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
- 335I810 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.