YearToAvoid

2008 BMW X3 Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 61 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2008 BMW X3, 50% of all 122 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest airbag complaint count among 21 X3 model years. Median mileage at failure: 77,500 miles.

Airbags complaints
61
50% of 122
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
77,500 mi
Related recalls
3

When 2008 BMW X3 airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 1, 2014, latest Jul 29, 2024.

2008 BMW X3 airbags complaints: complaints filed per month6Jan 2014Apr 2016Sep 2016Feb 2017Jul 2017Dec 2017Jul 2018Jul 2024
61 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2014 to Jul 2024; peak Jul 2017 (6).

Airbags recalls for the 2008 BMW X3

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 17V605000Sep 28, 2017Airbags85,302 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

    Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 16V071000Feb 5, 2016Airbags840,000 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Airbags complaints by X3 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200530 (29%)
  2. 200676 (53%)
  3. 200778 (30%)
  4. 200861 (50%)
  5. 200919 (54%)
  6. 201025 (45%)
  7. 20118 (6%)
  8. 201212 (25%)
  9. 20138 (4%)
  10. 20149 (10%)
  11. 201510 (10%)
  12. 20164 (5%)
  13. 20177 (8%)
  14. 20185 (7%)
  15. 20194 (2%)
  16. 20208 (7%)
  17. 20211 (1%)
  18. 20223 (4%)
  19. 20230 (0%)
  20. 20242 (5%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 BMW X3 have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 61 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2008 BMW X3, 50% of all complaints for this model year. Median mileage at failure is 77,500 miles.
Which BMW X3 year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2007 BMW X3 has the most airbag complaints (78), compared with 61 for the 2008.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2008 BMW X3?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 BMW X3 concern the airbag: 20V017000, 17V605000, and 16V071000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.