2004 BMW X3 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2004 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 1
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 219
Latest campaign: Aug 5, 2008

Recall summary by component1

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	1	Aug 5, 2008	08V384000

Safety recalls1

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Aug 5, 2008Latest campaign


Aug 5, 200808V384000	Air bags: frontal IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD… DetailsHide details for campaign 08V384000 What's wrong BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED. Risk IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. Remedy DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 08V384000 · Aug 5, 2008

Aug 5, 200808V384000

Air bags: frontal

IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD…

DetailsHide details for campaign 08V384000

What's wrong: BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.
Risk: IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign: NHTSA 08V384000 · Aug 5, 2008

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2004 BMW X3? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component219

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

219Complaints filed

14Involving a crash

16Involving a fire

20Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Exterior lighting	50	23	0	1	0
Air bags	48	22	6	0	4
Seats	35	16	0	12	11
Electrical system	31	14	1	4	3
Power train	13	6	1	1	0
Engine and engine cooling	11	5	0	0	0
Structure	10	5	0	0	0
Visibility	9	4	1	0	1
Vehicle speed control	8	4	4	0	2
Unknown or other	6	3	0	1	0
Engine	6	3	1	1	0
Service brakes	6	3	2	0	2
Suspension	6	3	0	0	0
Steering	6	3	2	0	1
Visibility/wiper	5	2	0	0	0

11 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Vehicle speed control
“Odometer failed - unable to get this fixed!”
Filed 09/06/2025 · ODI 11685452
Electrical system
“Airbag lamp remians on due to failed passenger seat occupancy detection mat. Honolulu bmw dealer claims recall 08v384000 was performed july 18, 2008- which is the exact same date listed in the recall as bmw's report…”
Filed 07/25/2023 · ODI 11534460
Air bags
“The contact ownd a 2004 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, she dozed off behind the wheel when the vehicle crashed into the rear of a tow truck.”
Filed 11/01/2022 · ODI 11491797

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2004 BMW X3 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2004 BMW X3 have?

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign for the 2004 BMW X3. The most recent, 08V384000 (reported August 5, 2008), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2004 BMW X3?

Exterior lighting is the most-reported component, named in 50 complaints out of 219 filed with NHTSA (23%). Across all complaints, owners reported 14 crashs and 16 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2004 BMW X3?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

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