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 front passenger floor carpet. This issue has been ongoing since I received the vehicle in 2020.The vehicle has been brought to Kelly BMW of Columbus, Ohio, at least four separate times since 2020 specifically to address this leak. Technicians have replaced outer seals and cleared tracks, but the leak persists, and on the last visit, unqualified dealership staff claimed they "could not find anything wrong. "This is a severe safety risk: BMW places the primary electronic fuse blocks and vital vehicle wiring harnesses directly underneath the front passenger floorboard carpet. Constant water logging in this exact area threatens to cause sudden, catastrophic electrical failures, component shorts, or vehicle stalling while driving. The manufacturer has failed to issue a recall for this known, widespread G01 platform defect, and dealership service centers lack the training to properly diagnose it.
BMW X3 water leak problems
13 of the 2,025 owner complaints about the BMW X3 describe water leaks into the cabin, most of them for the 2019 model year.
- owner complaints
- 13
- worst model year
- 2019
By model year
- 20202
- 20196
- 20141
- 20061
- 20051
- 20042
Often reported together
What owners say
Our 2019 BMW X3 M40i shows "EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" which means the "SOS" system, which is crucial for post-collision response, fails. Erhardt BMW in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan confirmed water leakage due to defective sealing around the roof-mounted shark fin antenna damaged the Telematics Control Box (TCB) and now requires replacement. The estimated cost is $3,600. Some quick research revealed this to be a repeated problem with my vehicle. BMW has acknowledged it as a defect in 2017-2023 model year BMW M440i, M550i, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, 330, 340i and 750i vehicles and fix it at no cost, but only for citizens of [XXX] , as reported by [XXX] of [XXX] . For details, see: [XXX] . This seems unfair to non [XXX] residents like me [XXX] ). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Due to a TSB (SIB 65 12 22) wherein the roof antennae leaks water and causes a short in the telemetry module, the car does not have pedestrian warning, navigation or backup camera / cross traffic warning. The car is drivable, but compromised from a safety perspective.
I am reporting a water intrusion issue in my 2019 BMW X3 involving both the roof-mounted “shark fin” antenna and the sunroof. Water enters the vehicle during normal rain conditions and has caused failure of the emergency call (SOS) system. This presents a serious safety concern, as the emergency communication system may not function in the event of a crash or emergency. Water intrusion also creates a risk of electrical damage and potential malfunction of critical vehicle systems while driving. The vehicle has been properly maintained, and this issue appears to be related to known defects involving water leaks from roof components in BMW vehicles. The total repair cost to address these issues is $4,650.
Shark Fin cover knocked of roof while washing at car wash. Dealer was notified and referred me to an auto body shop. I paid for the replacement repair. Dealer never notified me about the loose shark fin problems (water leaks) that are currently a problem with is model (X-3 xdrive30i 2019). A constant hissing noise is heard over the speaker system since the incident occurred. This is not a safety issue. a recall should be issued for the loose leaking fin problem.
I began to receive an “emergency call malfunction” notification on my vehicle. I took it in to be serviced and received this text when I was due to pick up my vehicle “Good morning! Okay, and as far as the TCB we were talking about for the emergency call malfunction.. It looks like there is water coming in through the antenna there (the shark fin, with that being said we would have to replace the shark fin, the tcb and the tcb battery, which is not cheap, out the door that alone is $3,178 installed.. --Kenndehl Swanson Classic BMW MINI” I researched and noticed there was a class action filed with the federal safety agency against BMW for this very issue for X3’s from 2017-2023. I would like my vehicle to be included in this class action lawsuit. BMW has stated that they were aware in the lawsuit. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The seal of the roof-mounted antenna housing adhesive was faulty. This caused separating from the vehicle allowing water into the vehicle, which damaged emergency call components and equipment. BMW told me this was a know issue, but that the federal safety agency had not yet applied this to my vehicle. Please issue an advisory on this known issue. My car is under 40,000 miles and fairly new still. Adhesive should not be deteriorating this early. Preventative maintenance could not have addressed this factory issue. - Excerpt from BMW inspection: Concern Critical Client States Emergency Call Malfunction On. Aux Battery Replaced Twice. Ref Ro 871625 And Ro 907864. Please Check And Advise Cause FOUND SHARK FIN COVER GLUE TO BE LOOSE AND TO HAVE A SLOW WATER LEAK. WATER DAMAGED TCB MODULE. NO COMMUNICATION WITH TCB MODULE. Correction REPLACE TCB MODULE. REPLACE ROOF ANTENNA. REPLACE SHARK FIN. PROGRAM AND ENCODE TCB MODULE Cost: $2,8550.50
The TCB Module and Antenna failed due to a water leak through the sealed roof mounted "Shark Fin" Antenna on top of my vehicle. The vehicle is not completely safe to drive due to the failure of the TCB Module in which the Module activates the "Intelligent Emergency Call" in the case of an accident. Crash and airbag sensors activate an emergency call to the BMW call center in the process, a set of relevant data such as how many passengers and their presumed condition or injury as well as the exact position of the my vehicle is sent automatically to the BMW call center and the nearest emergency service provider. The problem has been inspected and confirmed by my local BMW dealer. There is a warning on my odometer that states "Emergency call system not available."
Consistent water leakage during rain fall. Vehicle has had numerous leaks which im assuming is from the sunroof.
There was a very mild rain last two days in madison. Now my car has central lock problem and also wet floor. I'm happy that I was not driving the car while it was raining. I read over the internet that many bmw x3 have this water leakage and electrical problems. A wet interior and a live electrical system, and you know what might happen.
Related recalls
Structure
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2022 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the rear cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
- Risk
- Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V‑534 and will need to have the new repair completed.
Recall number 24V764000 · Recall details
Structure
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
- Risk
- Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 24V534000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i and X3 M40i vehicles. The rear spoiler may not have been properly attached during assembly, or may be missing screws, possibly causing the spoiler to detach while driving.
- Risk
- If the spoiler detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spoiler, correcting its attachment as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 1, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 18V154000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW X3 water leak
Which BMW X3 years have water leaks into the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2019 (6 complaints), 2004 (2 complaints) and 2020 (2 complaints).
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