2005 BMW X3: fire, smoke or burning smell

18 of the 103 complaints about the 2005 BMW X3 describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 18
of this car's complaints: 17%
typical mileage: 102,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 14 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2025
1
2022
7
2021
3
2020
7
2019
2
2018
3
2017
3
2016
5
2015
11
2014
6
2013
15
2012
3
2011
4
2010
1
2009
2
2008
7
2007
16
2006
16
2005
18
2004
10

What owners say

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 Aug 9, 2018 · Seats · 175,000 miles · GA

The driver seat heating element burnt a hole through the leather seat. This happened while I was driving and wearing my seat belt. I felt the heat through my clothes and I was afraid it would catch my clothes on fire. I pulled over unstrapped my seat belt and examined the seat to find the hole burnt through.

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 25, 2018 · Seats · 85,000 miles · NY · fire

Daughter turned on vehicle, turned on heated drivers seat, as she was driving on a city street, began to smell something burning, pulled car over & got out, left vehicle running, continued to smell burning and began to see smoke. Saw that a burn hole was forming in the left side, bottom of leather seat. Turned seat heater off and smell and smoke diminished. Upon inspection of he clothing it was also discovered that the seat began to but a hole in her outer jacket. It did not burn through her clothing and she was not injured (thankfully).

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 Nov 2, 2015 · Seats · 102,000 miles · MO

Two minutes after turning on driver's side seat heater, I began to smell something burning. Lower left lumbar section of the seat was extremely hot, felt hot instantly even through a winter coat and sweatshirt. Immediately turned the seat heater off. Extremely considered the car would catch fire. Car has 102,000 miles. No visible wear or burn marks on this seat.

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Seats · 110,340 miles · GA · fire

I left home and turned on the seat heater for the driver seat. In just a few seconds I felt discomfort in my left buttock. I repositioned thinking something was pinching me and then smelled something burning. I was able to pull off the roadway and get out of the car. I saw the seat bottom scorching and immediately turned off the seat heater. No further damage was noted, but now afraid to use either seat heater.

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 Mar 31, 2013 · Seats · 148,500 miles · MD

While using the heating device for the seats I smelled something burning and felt heat on my pants. I turned the heating device off. There was a small burn stain left on the seat, which has turned into a small hole.

Filed Feb 3, 2013 · Electrical, Seats · 100,000 miles · NE · 1 injury

I was driving the vehicle and turned on the driver side heated seat. I turned it on to the first setting which is the highest. After about 2 minutes I started to smell something burning. Then I also felt my leg burning. The heated seat had heated up so much that it melted a small hole in the leather where my left outside thigh would touch the seat. I am unable to use the heated seat anymore because I am afraid of getting burned worse.

Filed Jan 23, 2013 · Seats · 95,680 miles · NM · fire · 1 injury

The drivers seat warmer caught fire and burned on the left hand side of the seat. The seat warmer wires were exposed and burned the seat and through my pants.

Filed Jan 7, 2013 · Seats · 55,000 miles · NY

I used the heated seat function for the drivers seat in my 2005 bmw x3 and it rapidly heated up becoming unbearable to sit on. I immediately turned it off and stopped the car and got out because the seat was too hot to sit on and because there was a burning smell coming from under the seat. After a while the smell dissipated and the seat was cool enough to use. I have not used the heat function since and am waiting for my bmw dealer to check it and get back to me.