2005 BMW X3 electrical problems

Filed May 25, 2020 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · ME · fire

Vehicle caught fire and burned to the ground taking my other car with it. This happened while parked after washing the carpets.

Filed Apr 30, 2018 · Electrical, Seats · 118,000 miles · SC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed a burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed smoke coming from the front seat lumbar cushion of the driver's seat. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to taylor bmw (4180 washington rd, evans, ga 30809, (706) 868-6400) where it was diagnosed that the front driver's seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2018 · Airbags, Brakes · 144,000 miles · PA

The car is having a triad of lights with no problem found. Keep getting 4x4, ABS, brake, and now my passenger seat airbag warning lights. And researching online I found that smiliar year models were recalled for the airbag sensor.

Filed Mar 10, 2016 · Electrical, Seats · 183 miles · MO

Both seats. Purchased this vehicle with 183k miles. Was getting cold out, turned on the heated seat function and noticed a burning smell upon driving down the country roads from my house. The side of the drivers seat melted through. Could see it glowing inside of the seat. Someone had done a seat repair previously to cover this issue. Approx. 1 year later I was driving down the highway when my passenger had turned on his heated seat. He started yelling and noticed the seat had burned through the leather. Luckily no accidents were caused.

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 30 miles · AL

Air bags started blinking last week and now it just stays on. Bmw website states my car is not cover in recent takata air bags recall. Also, yesterday when I was driving in rain car's windshield wipers started getting jerky, sticky and not working properly creating a dangerous driving. The cabin lights also started to go on & off during my drive home... When I reach home the radio stayed on when the car ignition was off and only turned off when I turn-off the radio. Check fuse and air bag wiring but so signs of loose wires and bad fuse. Cause of problems unknown. Problems remains unchanged today.

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 80,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side heated seat function overheated. In addition, the air bag warning light remained illuminated and the key became difficult to release from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 95,000 miles · MA

The driver's seat (bottom) contains a heating element. When on, even on the lowest setting, a hot spot develops near the left rear side that is so hot I have to shut off the heater out of fear of a fire.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 183,700 miles · IN · fire

Was driving with seat heater on. The seat felt very hot on my legs at it smelled like something was burning. I immediately turned off the seat heater. I pulled into a parking lot and exited the car. I noticed a burn mark on the drivers side seat. There is a matching burn mark on the wool coat I was wearing. The coat is what prevented me from being injured. I have pictures of the damage if you need it.

Filed Nov 28, 2014 · Electrical, Seats · 152,803 miles · IL · fire · 1 injury

The seat heater in my 2005 bmw x3 caught fire and melted a hole in the seat and burned my left butt cheek while I was driving. My left butt cheek was burned a little but I was otherwise uninjured. I read online that a ton of other people with the same/similar make and model car as me have had the same problem. The dealer said it would cost about $2000 to replace the entire seat. There is clearly a major flaw in the seat heater and it could pose a major safety issue should a fire occur and the driver is not able to leave the car right away. Bmw should recall and/or pay for the replacement/repair of the seat.

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 102,500 miles · NC

I'd unlocked my door and when I tried to close it, it wouldn't close like it should. It's like the actuator was stuck & wouldn't close. It does this for a few minutes of me cranking and turning off the ignition. Finally, after I crank it up again, it just closes like nothing ever happened! I was stuck in a pharmacy parking lot for like 15 minutes thinking of how I was going to get home because my door didn't close! Very, very inconvenient! I almost had to call a tow truck & would've been out of a couple hundred of dollars for this!!! Why does this happen!!!?! This needs to be addressed and fixed!