Representative model. Photo: IFCAR, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 BMW X3 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2011 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 126
Latest campaign: Oct 20, 2023

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Engine and engine cooling	3	Oct 20, 2023	23V707000 17V683000 14V176000
Child seat	1	May 23, 2016	16V333000
Steering	1	Jun 29, 2011	11V341000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Oct 20, 2023Latest campaign


Oct 20, 202323V707000	Engine and engine cooling: engine Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V707000 What's wrong 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 camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break. Risk Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. 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 may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X3 Campaign NHTSA 23V707000 · Oct 20, 2023
Oct 30, 201717V683000	Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system emission control An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V683000 What's wrong 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. Risk An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use. 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 contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X3 Campaign NHTSA 17V683000 · Oct 30, 2017
May 23, 201616V333000	Child seat: latch strap Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V333000 What's wrong 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 March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system. Risk Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. 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 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X3 Campaign NHTSA 16V333000 · May 23, 2016
Apr 10, 201414V176000	Engine and engine cooling: engine If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V176000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break. Risk If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X3 Sav Campaign NHTSA 14V176000 · Apr 10, 2014
Jun 29, 201111V341000	Steering: electric power assist system SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 11V341000 What's wrong 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. Risk SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. 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. Filed under X3 Campaign NHTSA 11V341000 · Jun 29, 2011

Merged from NHTSA model names: X3, X3 Sav. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

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).

Owner complaints by component126

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

126Complaints filed

3Involving a crash

3Involving a fire

1Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	35	28	0	2	0
Power train	25	20	2	0	0
Steering	24	19	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	24	19	0	0	0
Electrical system	23	18	0	2	0
Exterior lighting	11	9	0	0	0
Unknown or other	9	7	1	1	0
Air bags	8	6	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	5	4	2	0	1
Electronic stability control (ESC)	4	3	0	0	0
Service brakes	4	3	1	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	2	2	0	0	0
Seats	2	2	0	0	0
Suspension	1	1	0	0	0
Seat belts	1	1	0	0	0

4 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, merged from NHTSA model names X3 XDRIVE28I, X3 XDRIVE35I.

Latest reports

Power train
“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 on Aug 1st.”
Filed 10/05/2026 · ODI 11768987
Steering
“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.”
Filed 08/03/2026 · ODI 11754567
Engine
“I had my car towed into bmw dealership for a vanos recall repair,it went in for the repair the repair was "done" but before picking it up they told me they were unable to qc/start my engine to verify the repair claiming…”
Filed 02/20/2026 · ODI 11719278

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2011 BMW X3 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW X3 have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 BMW X3. The most recent, 23V707000 (reported October 20, 2023), concerns engine and engine cooling. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2011 BMW X3 recalls for?

The largest group is engine and engine cooling, with 3 campaigns. Others: child seat (1), steering (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 BMW X3?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 35 complaints out of 126 filed with NHTSA (28%). Across all complaints, owners reported 3 crashs and 3 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2011 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.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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