2019 BMW X3: reliability, problems and cost to own
Think twiceWell below average
It scores 10 out of 100 for reliability compared with other luxury cars and SUVs. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $21,329 to own, including $8,114 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the BMW X3.
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Where repair money is likely to go
Engine & cooling$4,811
Transmission & drivetrain$833
Body, glass & interior$822
Electrical system$770
Driver-assist & stability$380
Steering$112
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
Recalls
StructureOct 15, 2024 · campaign 24V764000
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.
StructureJul 17, 2024 · campaign 24V534000
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.
Air Bags › FrontalJul 8, 2021 · campaign 21V521000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and 2019 X4 xDrive30i, and X4 M40i vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant classification system may have been improperly assembled, which could result in the misclassification of the seat as unoccupied, and deactivate the front air bag.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › CameraFeb 19, 2021 · campaign 21V096000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive,
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/PanelMar 18, 2020 · campaign 20V152000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i, and 2018-2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3M vehicles. The instrument panel casing may not have been tightened properly to the passenger air bag.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › CameraSep 28, 2019 · campaign 19V684000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50
SeatsJul 31, 2019 · campaign 19V563000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 X3 sDrive30i, xDrive30i and M40i and 2019 X4 xDrive30i and M40i vehicles. The front seatback frames may have been improperly welded, allowing the seatback to unexpectedly fold forward or rearward.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator ModuleApr 10, 2019 · campaign 19V291000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X4 M40i vehicles. The instrument panel assembly may have been improperly manufactured, possibly affecting the deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › CaliperJul 6, 2018 · campaign 18V453000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and certain 2019 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Lane Departure › Lane Keep › Steering AssistJun 6, 2018 · campaign 18V374000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i, X3 sDrive30i, and X3 M40i vehicles equipped with the "Active Lane Keeping Assistant" option. The steering wheel may be incompatible with the lane keeping assistant function and may not detect if the driver's hands are off the wheel.
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Yes. It scores 10 out of 100, among the least reliable luxury cars and SUVs of 2015–2024.
Is the 2019 BMW X3 reliable?
It scores 10 out of 100 against other luxury cars and SUVs from 2015 to 2024, which is well below average. Based on 171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $8,114 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
How much does a 2019 BMW X3 cost to own?
About $21,329 over 5 years: $5,369 in lost value, $8,114 in repairs and $7,846 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $16,625 today.
What are the best years of the BMW X3?
Of the years we rate, the 2016 scores best (44/100) and the 2019 worst (10/100).