2008 BMW X3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 BMW X3 has a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other X3 years. NHTSA lists 122 complaints, 5 recalls, and no deaths, with Airbags as the top problem area at 50% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 X3 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 122
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 16.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2008 BMW X3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags61 (50%)
- Engine41 (34%)
- Structure & Body11 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (9%)
- Other9 (7%)
- Fuel System7 (6%)
- Electrical System6 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Brakes3 (2%)
- Steering2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Heated seats reportedly default to high and burn through the leather, in one case creating smoke and burning the driver's leg or a passenger's arm.
- Owners describe a sudden loss of power and steering seizing up at highway speed with no warning.
- Some drivers report the transmission fails to respond when pressing the accelerator, freezing momentarily and nearly causing accidents, including after pulling away from a toll booth.
- Owners describe severe hesitation in first gear with erratic RPMs and slow, stalling engagement into second gear.
- One owner reported smoke and flames coming from under the hood while driving at 40-45 MPH.
- Tire pressure warnings reportedly indicated interior deterioration in all four tires within a couple of years.
2008 BMW X3 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
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, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 17V683000Oct 30, 2017Engine740,561 vehicles
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 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.
2008 BMW X3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 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.
2008 compared with other X3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 BMW X3 reliable?
- Compared with other X3 model years, the 2008 has a complaint index of 35 and ranks 14th out of 21 years, earning a Good verdict. It has fewer complaints and recalls than higher-index years like 2007 or 2013.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW X3?
- NHTSA data shows Airbags as the top problem area with 61 complaints (50% share), followed by Engine issues with 41 complaints (34% share).
- Does the 2008 BMW X3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 X3, covering airbag inflators, the driver frontal air bag module, the passenger seat occupant detection mat, the PCV valve heater, and an engine wiring issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do problems usually show up on the 2008 X3?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 86,500 miles, though Airbags issues show a median of 77,500 miles and Engine issues show 103,600 miles.
- How does the 2008 X3 compare to the 2007 and 2009 X3?
- The 2007 X3 has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2009 X3 has a complaint index of 5 and a Good verdict. The 2008 X3 sits between them with an index of 35.