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2011 BMW X3 Edit

Recalls

Near Columbus, OH
43085

6 Safety Recalls Found for Cars Like Yours

Recalls may not affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. Use your VIN or plate to find out if your specific car has open recalls.

Where do I find my VIN?

2011 BMW X3 Recalls

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
16V333000

Report Date:
MAY 23, 2016

Vehicles Affected:
188,668

Consequence:

Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on July 12, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
17V683000

Report Date:
October 30, 2017

Vehicles Affected:
740,561

Consequence:

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.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
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.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
23V707000

Report Date:
October 20, 2023

Vehicles Affected:
155,627

Consequence:

Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 12, 2023. Second letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
14V176000

Report Date:
APR 10, 2014

Vehicles Affected:
156,137

Consequence:

If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May 2014. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
11V341000

Report Date:
JUN 28, 2011

Vehicles Affected:
50

Consequence:

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

What You Should Do:
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 27, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2011. A CONTROL MODULE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) UNIT MAY MALFUNCTION, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
16V071000

Report Date:
FEB 05, 2016

Vehicles Affected:
840,000

Consequence:

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be mailed an interim notification beginning March 31, 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

Recall information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

BMW Recall Service Centers

Near Columbus, OH
43085

View:

2011 X3 Recall Q&A

Car Recall Questions


What do I do if I've gotten a recall notice?

First: Read the notice carefully and don’t ignore it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only 75% of vehicles involved in a recall are actually repaired. So be sure to pay attention when you see an envelope in the mail labelled “Safety Recall Notice”.

The notice will tell you what the defect is, possible warning signs and what to do next. And while a recall notice might dredge up feelings of fear and anxiety, focus on two bits of good news:

  • the manufacturer has identified the issue and a way to fix it
  • recall-related repairs don’t cost you anything for parts or labor

Second: Bring your vehicle to the dealer.

Next, make a service appointment with an authorized dealer who sells that brand. It doesn’t have to be the same place where you bought it, and it doesn’t matter if you bought the car new or used. But you DO need to take it to an authorized dealer. If your family mechanic does the recall repairs, you’ll probably be responsible for the cost.

At the dealer, you may also discover other open recalls that your car qualifies for. The dealer is obligated to complete these repairs too – also at no cost to you.

Third: The dealer makes the repairs.

For many people, the hardest part is finding a convenient time for the recall-related repairs. Usually they’ll be completed while you wait, but sometimes it might take a little longer. Ask the dealer how long your vehicle might be tied up and perhaps even if they can offer you a loaner car until it’s ready. Or if you have a little more time to plan, find out what services and amenities your local dealer offers.

Learn more about what to do in a recall.

How do I check for a recall on my car?

In most cases, the automaker will send you a notice in the mail to announce a recall. But if you’re the proactive type – or if you bought the car used – you might want to check for a recall yourself.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 100 million new and used vehicles were involved in some sort of safety-related recall in 2014-15. Recalls vary in severity, but they all relate to the safety of the vehicle, so they’re all worth paying attention to.

Start by looking up the year, make and model of your vehicle on a site like KBB.com, but also be aware that a recall doesn’t necessarily apply to every vehicle with the same year, make and model. Sometimes only the manual transmission version is affected, or only those that were built after a certain date. The best way to know for sure is to call the phone number that we provide on your vehicle’s recall page or go to the government NHTSA site and look up your specific car by its 17-character VIN number.

And if you REALLY want to stay on top of recalls, you could check back here periodically, or NHTSA offers downloadable Android Auto and Apple CarPlay apps with recall information, plus NHTSA maintains a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter to announce recalls.

Learn more about how to stay current on recalls.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

Once the manufacturer (or NHTSA) has discovered that a safety recall is necessary on your vehicle, you won’t have to pay anything for recall-related repairs. All the parts and labor necessary to complete the repair are paid for by the manufacturer (who reimburses the dealer). This is true even if you bought the car used or bought it from a private party.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • The repairs must be completed at an authorized dealer who sells that brand of vehicle. If you choose to use your own mechanic, you might end up paying the bill.
  • If you received a recall letter in the mail, bring it to the dealer. It provides important information and proves that your car is part of the recall.
  • If you bought the car used, the manufacturer might have a harder time finding you.

There is one exception to the fact that recall repairs are free – vehicles older than 10 years old are outside the statute of limitation and usually don’t qualify.

Why is a vehicle recalled?

A recall occurs when a manufacturer or NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) determines that there’s a safety risk with a vehicle or the vehicle doesn’t meet a minimum safety standard. Usually, a recall covers only certain parts or equipment on a vehicle; it’s rare for the whole vehicle to be recalled.

Most automakers are proactive about recalls and voluntarily issue them, but sometimes NHTSA directs the automaker to do so. Some recalls get a lot of press, as with high-profile recalls relating to airbags in the last few years, but more often, recalls happen without much fanfare.
Recalls are only issued in cases where the vehicle’s safety is in question, but that doesn’t mean you’re in immediate danger. Even so, you should have the repairs done as soon as you can. The good news is that, in case of a recall, the automaker has discovered a fix – and that fix is available at no cost to you (except, perhaps, for the hours the vehicle is being repaired).

Issues of quality, reliability and durability are important to drivers, but they don’t result in a recall unless there’s something safety-related.

Finally, please keep in mind just because there’s a recall on cars matching your car’s make and model, it doesn’t mean that your car is affected. To know for sure, we provide a number you can call to check if your car is part of the recall. You’ll need to have your car’s unique 17-character VIN number handy when you call.

Pricing for Common 2011 BMW X3 Repairs & Services

  • Battery Replacement
  • Brake Repair
  • Oil Change
  • Spark Plug Replacement
  • Wheel Alignment
  • Check Engine Light
  • Coolant Flush
  • Fuel Filter Replacement
  • Fuel Pump Replacement
  • Timing Belt Replacement
  • Transmission Fluid Change
  • Transmission Repair and Replacement
  • Water Pump Replacement
  • Wheel Bearing Replacement

Pricing for all 2011 BMW X3 Repairs & Services