Model year
2009 BMW X3
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 19 complaints for the 2009 BMW X3 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 16 complaints under X3 SAV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (9), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5), POWER TRAIN (3). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,100–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2004 138 complaints
- 2005 103 complaints
- 2006 143 complaints
- 2007 98 complaints
- 2008 66 complaints
- 2009 19 complaints
- 2010 32 complaints
- 2011 113 complaints
- 2012 42 complaints
- 2013 226 complaints
- 2014 86 complaints
- 2015 105 complaints
- 2016 82 complaints
- 2017 92 complaints
- 2018 76 complaints
- 2019 171 complaints
- 2020 110 complaints
- 2021 113 complaints
- 2022 83 complaints
- 2023 15 complaints
- 2024 42 complaints
- 2025 38 complaints
- 2026 22 complaints
Recalls
20V017000 · Jan 15, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes,…
17V683000 · Oct 30, 2017
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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…
17V605000 · Sep 28, 2017
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and…
Complaints
19 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 3, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| X3 SAV | 2 | 16 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X3 xDrive30i · 3L · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| X3 xDrive30i · 3L · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2009 BMW X3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.