2019 BMW X3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 X3 years
The 2019 BMW X3 ranks 2nd worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 93 and 170 NHTSA complaints. Electrical System issues make up 30% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 9,400 miles. It carries 10 recalls, none flagged do-not-drive.
- Complaints
- 170
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 29 hwy
Top 2019 BMW X3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System51 (30%)
- Engine44 (26%)
- Other43 (25%)
- Structure & Body31 (18%)
- Brakes15 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras15 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (3%)
- Airbags4 (2%)
- Fuel System4 (2%)
What owners report
- Digital gauge cluster goes off center and dashboard displays act erratically before other electrical faults appear.
- Vehicle has reportedly accelerated on its own while shifted into park, leading to a crash.
- TCB module and antenna fail after water intrusion through the roof-mounted shark fin antenna, disabling emergency call functionality.
- Rear differential mount and driveshaft have failed suddenly at highway speed, causing loss of rear-end control.
- Tailgate has opened by itself while driving on the highway or while parked, sometimes spilling cargo.
- Automatic emergency braking has activated with no vehicle or object present, abruptly slowing the car at 50-60 mph.
2019 BMW X3 recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V764000Oct 15, 2024Structure & Body8,725 vehicles
Structure
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2022 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the rear cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
Risk: Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.
- NHTSA 24V534000Jul 17, 2024Structure & Body282,387 vehicles
Structure
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
Risk: Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 21V521000Jul 8, 2021Airbags138 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and 2019 X4 xDrive30i, and X4 M40i vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant classification system may have been improperly assembled, which could result in the misclassification of the seat as unoccupied, and deactivate the front air bag.
Risk: A deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat foam, which includes the occupant classification system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2019 BMW X3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2019 compared with other X3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 BMW X3 a good year to buy?
- No. NHTSA data gives the 2019 X3 a Complaint Index of 93, the second-worst of the 16 model years covered, with 170 complaints and a top problem in the Electrical System.
- What is the most common problem with the 2019 BMW X3?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 30% of complaints (51 of 170), with a median failure mileage of 9,400 miles.
- Does the 2019 BMW X3 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2019 X3, covering areas including Airbags, Structure & Body, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras. None are marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2019 X3 compare to other X3 model years?
- The 2019 X3's Complaint Index of 93 is higher than every year except 2013 (100), making it the second-most complained-about year among the 16 years with data.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 BMW X3?
- EPA rates the 2019 X3 at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.