2005 BMW X3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
45/100
#12 most-complained of 21 X3 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 BMW X3 has 103 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 45 out of 100 — #12 highest of 21 X3 model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is structure & body (55 complaints, 53% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes, 18 fires, and 17 injuries.
- Complaints
- 103
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 18
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 22 hwy
Top 2005 BMW X3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body55 (53%)
- Airbags30 (29%)
- Electrical System19 (18%)
- Engine10 (10%)
- Other6 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (4%)
- Brakes3 (3%)
- Seat Belts3 (3%)
- Fuel System2 (2%)
- Steering2 (2%)
2005 BMW X3 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 08V384000Aug 5, 2008Airbags200,000 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
2005 BMW X3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,575
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other X3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 BMW X3 a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 BMW X3 ranks #12 of 21 among X3 model years (Complaint Index 45/100, verdict: Good). It has 103 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW X3?
- The most reported problem areas are structure & body (55 complaints), airbags (30 complaints), and electrical system (19 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 85,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 BMW X3 have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 BMW X3, most recently reported 2008, covering airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 BMW X3?
- EPA rates the 2005 BMW X3 at 17.5 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,575. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.