I had started my car drove out of my parking lot as I approached the highway the first intersection everything went dead no lights, snow warning lights just completely shut down and rumble as if the engine was gonna fall out a police man passed me. I was stuck in the middle of the highway. Help me push my vehicle off the road and sat with me while I called AAA. He could not get the car started. It was not the battery. He also only checked the battery terminals under the hood he hooked his portable battery charger. just gonna let me drive home hooked up, but it would not start.
The worst 2009 BMW X3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags9
- Electrical5
- Engine5
- Transmission3
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags9
- Electrical5
- Engine5
- Transmission3
- Brakes1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
Recalls 3
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
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V683000 · 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 BMW X3 44
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the...
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- A noise can be heard from underneath the seat while the seat is being moved either forwards or backwards
- This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1. Wind noise 2. Excess water entry
- The front sunroof glass seal has shrunk, creating a gap which can cause wind noise or excess water entry.
- Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may...
- Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension
- Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension
- BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective March 28, 2022) on certain Model Year 2022 BMW vehicles that...
- The 3G network in the US has been shut down
2009 BMW X3 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16-17 | 23-24 | 19-20 |
What 2009 BMW X3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The battery safety terminal deployed while I was driving down the mountain, causing unsafe conditions for myself and drivers around me. Car turned completely off and unable to turn it back on. Lost power steering and braking capabilities. No accidents or airbags were deployed to cause the battery safety teminal to deploy
My vehicle malfunctioned last week because of the fault harness. Vehicle had a slight fire and now is not drivable. BMW does not want to comply.
Driver side drive shaft fell off while driving on the highway. Very dangerous, merging from one highway in onto another in the middle of gridlock. No lights on prior to failure, just completely snapped off, ripped thru my oil pan and coolant hoses. Was shown the damage when I brought it to a repair shop.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle started to overheat and she was only able to drive the vehicle for a few miles. The contact stated that smoke was coming from under the hood and from the exhaust. The contact stated that she had stopped driving the vehicle for fear of the vehicle catching on fire. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Front Passenger Seat Occupancy Mat (OC3) for the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS/Air bag system) Failure. Recall was done 06/2018 by BMW dealer, but problem came back 08/2022. Airbag warning light on in dashboard. Reading codes confirms problem. DANGER of bodily harm to passengers because the airbags will not deploy.
2009 bmw x3. Consumer writes in regard to pvc valve heater safety recall. The consumer stated the vehicle experienced a noise and smoke as described in the recall notice. The dealer was advised and took the vehicle in for diagnostic and stated there was no remedy for the failure but, charged the consumer for the diagnostic fee.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw x3. The contact stated that while her son was driving, the RPM revved without warning, and the vehicle independently decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the bmw of lynchburg located at 2643 lakeside dr - #6944, lynchburg, va 24501, where it was diagnosed that the module motor on the 4-wheel drive transfer case disconnected and placed a strain on the drive train. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,236.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw x3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v605000 (air bags) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Bmw of tucson (855 w wetmore rd, tucson, az 85705, (520) 549-2167) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Compare the 2009 BMW X3
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2009 BMW X3
Is the 2009 BMW X3 reliable?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2009 BMW X3, fewer than a typical X3 model year.
What is the 2009 BMW X3 year score?
The 2009 BMW X3 scores 92 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW X3: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 BMW X3?
Airbags, with 9 complaints. Next is electrical (5).
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW X3 have?
3 recalls, covering air bags and engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 2009 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).
What gas mileage does the 2009 BMW X3 get?
Official estimates for the 2009 BMW X3 range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 16-17 city and 23-24 highway.
VIN decoder
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