The contact owns a 2008 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front passenger’s side seat occupant detection mat. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V605000 (Air Bags), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 142,000.
2008 BMW X3 airbags problems
32 complaints (48% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 111,025.
- owner complaints
- 32
- of this car's complaints
- 48%
- typical mileage
- 111,025
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
BMW X3 airbags problems in other years
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V017000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
- Risk
- Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V605000 · Recall details
What 2008 BMW X3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The steering angle sensor has faulted, at around 60,000 miles. This fault results in possible airbag failure, in conjunction with inability to perform safety breaking mechanisms, as well as disabling the cars 4x4 stability control features. BMW as well as other BMW third-party mechanics have told me this is a reoccurring problem and could pose a serious danger if in an accident. BMW officially told me to put a complaint in so that a recall could be performed. I will not pay 2000 for my airbags to work, as it is a feature required by law to operate properly. I will upload all necessary documentation if needed, should this complaint be taken into consideration.
Bmw fort lauderdale refuses to replace passenger side air bag! They claim only drivers side tanaka airbag needs replacement!
Recall campaign number 17v‑605. I need this part installed now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw x3. The contact stated that the recall notices for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v605000 (air bags) and 17v83000 (engine) were received in september and october of 2017. After contacting bmw of birmingham (11000 tom williams way, irondale al), the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the defects were not available. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw x3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v605000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over a year ago. The dealer (niello bmw, 2020 fulton ave, sacramento, ca 95825, (916) 486-1011) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was contacted several times and was unable to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Received 2 recall notices from bmw USA 11/17 and 12/17 for issues with the front passenger seat occupant detection mat and the engine pcv valve heater. Contacted my local dealership to have them fixed. Was advised that they did not have authorization from the national office to perform the repairs. When questioned about having the parts the service representative admitted that they could get the parts but would not be reimbursed for the repair because the national office had not authorized their use. Repeatedly check with them over the next several months. Received the same answer again and again. Contacted bmw USA directly through their customer service and spoke with their representative who stated that they did not have the parts to repair the known safety issues and were hoping to have them fixed later this year. When I informed them that the local dealership said they could get the parts they finally admitted that yes they had them but not enough to cover all the recalled vehicles so they were not authorizing repairs yet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw x3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v605000 (air bags) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. Bmw of fort wayne (929 ave of autos, fort wayne, in) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedies. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw x3. The contact stated that the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v605000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notification in september of 2017. The dealer leith bmw (5603 capital blvd, raleigh, nc 27616) stated that the parts were not available for the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tools confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 bmw x3. The contact stated that the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v605000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact received the recall notification in august of 2017. The dealer (bmw of devon, 20 lancaster ave, devon, pa 19333) could not provide a date for when the remedy would be available. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Questions about the 2008 BMW X3 airbags
Does the 2008 BMW X3 have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 32 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 BMW X3, 48% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW X3 airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 111,025 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW X3 airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 20V017000, 17V605000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW X3 have bad airbags?
The BMW X3 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (76 complaints), 2007 (37 complaints) and 2004 (32 complaints).
Other 2008 BMW X3 problems
Engine 30Electrical 5Seats 5Transmission 5Brakes 2Fuel system 2Acceleration 1Lights 1Steering 1Tires 1Visibility 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 BMW X3?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history