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.
2009 BMW X3 SAVProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 2009 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 2009 BMW X3 SAV has problems
16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
10Air bags
3Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
3Seats
1Seat belts
1Suspension
1Tires
1Vehicle speed control
1Engine
1Fuel/propulsion system
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 10 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 2 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2009 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
2009 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 2009 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.
RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER 2017 AND BMW HAS YET TO HAVE A REMEDY/SOLVE FOR THE ISSUE. WE ARE OVER 6 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL AND THIS IS FAR PAST A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO ADDRESS A SAFETY ISSUE.
BMW SENT LETTER 3/2016 ABOUT RECALL AND CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR MY CARS RECALL.I HAVE CHECK SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LAST YEAR LOCALLY AND THEN ANOTHER NEARBY DEALERSHIP CLOSE BY IN ANOTHER TOWN. THEY SAID THEY WOULD PLACE ME ON A CALL LIST AND THAT HAS BEEN 7 MTHS…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME…
Own a 2009 X3 SAV?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.