There are 4 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2009 BMW X3in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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 NHTSA 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.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 OWNED A 2009 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, WHITE SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SPARKS FROM THE ENGINE TO THE GROUND AS A FIRE IGNITED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A TOW LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026