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NHTSA-Verified · Common Problems

2019 BMW X3
Common Problems

Ranked from 58 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

4
Safety
3
High severity
3
Medium
3
Low
4 problems on this vehicle involve a crash, fire, or injury risk. If you are experiencing one, stop driving and have it inspected.

13 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Tailgate opens spontaneously while parked or driving

    19complaints
    Safety riskOther

    The tailgate opens unexpectedly while the car is parked or in motion, posing a safety risk.

  2. 2

    Coolant Leaks and Overheating

    11complaints
    High severityEngine

    Multiple coolant leaks and overheating issues leading to engine failure.

    $150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  3. 3

    Emergency Call System Malfunction

    8complaints
    High severityElectrical

    Emergency call system malfunctions due to water ingress or hardware failures, preventing emergency calls in accidents.

    Related recall: 20V152000

  4. 4

    Engine Mount Failures

    6complaints
    Safety riskEngine

    Repeated failures of engine mounts leading to engine vibration and loss of control.

    $250–$700est. engine mount replacement · 1.5–4 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  5. 5

    Telematics Control Unit (TCU) Water Ingress

    5complaints
    High severityElectrical

    Water ingress into the TCU causes malfunctions in emergency call systems and navigation.

    Related recall: 20V152000

  6. 6

    Automatic Emergency Braking System Malfunctions

    4complaints
    Safety riskBrakes

    The automatic emergency braking system engages unexpectedly without a hazard present.

    Related recall: 18V453000

  7. 7

    Headlight Malfunction

    4complaints
    Low severityOther

    Headlights flash on and off randomly, causing distraction and reduced visibility for the driver.

    $100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  8. 8

    Trunk Opens Unexpectedly

    3complaints
    Safety riskOther

    The trunk opens on its own while the vehicle is in motion or parked, posing a risk of injury or damage.

  9. 9

    Forward Collision Avoidance System Failures

    2complaints
    Medium severityOther

    Random activation of automatic emergency braking and lane departure correction features.

  10. 10

    Lane departure warning system malfunction

    2complaints
    Medium severityOther

    The lane departure warning system does not provide adequate vibration feedback, reducing safety features effectiveness.

  11. 11

    Lane Departure Warning System Malfunctions

    2complaints
    Low severityElectrical

    The lane departure warning system does not provide the expected vibration feedback when changing lanes.

    Related recall: 20V152000

  12. 12

    Service Brake Issues

    2complaints
    Medium severityBrakes

    Problems with rear calipers and phantom braking issues.

    $150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 18V453000

  13. 13

    Suspension Component Failures

    2complaints
    Low severitySuspension

    Motor mount failures leading to excessive vibrations and potential loss of control.

    $150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

Other years & sources

2017 BMW X32020 BMW X32021 BMW X3All NHTSA complaints for this vehicle →

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.