There are 1 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2012 BMW X3in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
JUST CAME ACROSS THIS ARTICLE! I THINK I KNOW WHY THEY R BURSTING INTO FLAMES! I DRIVE A BMW 2012 X3. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE FOR WORK & MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR TO PUT MY PURSE & LUNCH TOTE ON SEAT & THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE SWIRLING FROM MY IPHONE CAR CHARGER THAT WAS PLUGGED INTO MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER. I IMMEDIATELY UNPLUGGED IT & IT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. HAD IT STARTED DURING THE NIGHT MY CAR & CONDO WOULD HAVE BEEN TORCHED! I DIDN'T REPORT THIS TO BMW, BUT TOOK THE CHARGER TO AT&T & REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT THINKING IT WAS DEFECTIVE! MAYBE NOT! SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A BMW ISSUE😳 I'M NOT SURE ABOUT WHEN THIS ACTUALLY OCCURRED, BUT IT WAS WITHIN THE PAST YEAR!
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