Model year
2016 BMW X3
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 82 complaints for the 2016 BMW X3 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (23), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (16), ENGINE (13). NHTSA lists 2 investigations with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 21–30 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,200–$3,900, 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
24V608000 · Aug 13, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP
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,…
21V907000 · Nov 19, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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…
21V586000 · Jul 29, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
18V755000 · Oct 25, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
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…
16V333000 · May 23, 2016
CHILD SEAT:LATCH STRAP
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…
Complaints
82 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 7, fire flag on 3, injury field 2, 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.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
| EA23001 | High pressure fuel pump failure · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | Mar 17, 2023 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X3 sDrive 28i · 2L · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| X3 xDrive28i · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 28 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| X3 xDrive35i · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| X3 xDrive28d · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 27 | 33 | 30 | — | — | $3,200 |
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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 2016 BMW X3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.