repaired · 2026 Q3
Starter assembly: relay
Park outsideRisk. A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
2020 BMW X3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 110 owner complaints about the 2020 BMW X3, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 16 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-636 the manufacturer reports only 71% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 8, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Chanokchon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 BMW X3 has problems
110 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
35Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
26Engine5 crash/fire/injury
14Power train
8Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
8Structure1 crash/fire/injury
6Fuel/propulsion system
4Exterior lighting
3Forward collision avoidance
3Back over prevention
1811 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 35 | 3 |
| Engine | 26 | 5 |
| Power train | 14 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 1 |
| Structure | 8 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 3 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 18 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
16 recalls
2020 BMW X3 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 · 2026 Q3
Structure
Risk. Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Structure
Risk. Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Seats
Risk. An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Show 12 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q2
Engine
Risk. Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Sensing system: camera
Risk. If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Sensing system: camera
Risk. If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Propulsion system: traction battery
Risk. The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
Risk. A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. An inoperative rearview camera display can increase the risk of a crash when reversing.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q1
Air bags
Risk. If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
repaired · 2022 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the…
repaired · 2019 Q4
Rack and pinion: pinion shaft
Risk. A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Sensing system: camera
Risk. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Steering
Do not driveRisk. Broken swivel bearings can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
9 owners mentioned a cost$8,000median
Middle half: $4,000 – $8,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2020 vs. every other X3 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 median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2020 BMW X3 safety ratings
2020 BMW X3 SUV RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.2% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Optional
In owners' words
What X3 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I am reporting a chronic manufacturing defect on my 2020 BMW X3 that poses an immediate electrical short-circuit and vehicle safety hazard. The passenger-side panoramic sunroof drainage system/roof structure leaks water heavily through the side panel joint of the door frame, directly saturating the…
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the message “Heat Management Module Malfunction” was displayed and the warning light was illuminated. The drive-train warning light was illuminated. Upon research, the contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number:…
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the drivetrain warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, causing the vehicle to jerk and run rough. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a heat management module…
Own a 2020 X3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.