repaired · 2024 Q2
Emission control: crankcase (pcv)
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.
2008 BMW X3 SAVProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 56 owner complaints about the 2008 BMW X3 SAV, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-119 the manufacturer reports only 27% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 2, 2022. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 BMW X3 SAV has problems
56 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
29Air bags
9Engine
6Power train
5Seats1 crash/fire/injury
4Fuel/propulsion system
3Suspension
2Vehicle speed control
2Structure
1Wheels
88 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 29 | 0 |
| Engine | 9 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Seats | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 8 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2008 BMW X3 SAV recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Driver side: inflator module
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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other X3 SAV year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the X3 SAV median. How we score
'07'08'09'10'11'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 BMW X3 SAV, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What X3 SAV owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS PART OF THE "SEAT MAT", WHICH IS UNDER RECALL. BMW SENT AN INITIAL NOTICE OF RECALL IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017. AS OF APRIL 20, 2018 THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THIS RECALL. OVER 7 MONTHS! NO ONE AT THE DEALER OR BMW USA CAN GIVE…
TAKATA RECALL - I CALLED EAST BAY BMW AND BMW OF CONCORD DEALERSHIPS SINCE RECEIVING SAFETY RECALL IN JUNE 2017 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL SERVICE AND I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CALL BACK REGARDING THE PARTS ARRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT IS NOT NOVEMBER AND I STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED A…
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000. ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF AND STILL NO RESOLUTION FROM BMW MEANWHILE WE ARE AT RISK EVERYDAY. I WOULD LIKE TO AT LEAST SEE A SCHEDULE FOR REPAIR RATHER THAN THEM USING ATTRITION TO MITIGATE THEIR COST.
Own a 2008 X3 SAV?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.