2019 BMW X3: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and body and structure. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019- Owner complaints
- 148
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes reported
- 5
- 3 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 BMW X3: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which X3 is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 BMW X3. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, RWD | 25–26 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD | 23 mpg |
- The 2019 BMW X3 was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A X3 that averages well under the EPA 23 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Coolant leaks and overheating
30,000–100,000 miles
Shark fin water leak, eCall
40,000–52,000 miles
Instrument panel flickering
60,000–80,000 miles
Water pump failure
60,000–80,000 miles
Engine failure from coolant loss
70,000–88,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 BMW X3, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical392 crashes
Water leaks past the seal of the roof-mounted shark fin antenna and damages the telematics unit, triggering an "Emergency Call System Malfunction" warning and lost connectivity. Owners cite a BMW service bulletin on the seal, but there is no recall, and repair quotes reach $3,000 to $5,000. Other reports describe sudden automatic braking from about 40 mph and a driver knee airbag fault traced to rubbing wiring. Some owners report the tailgate opening by itself, the instrument panel flickering between 60,000 and 80,000 miles, or headlights cycling on and off. One crash report describes the car accelerating on its own after being put in park.
Engine23No crashes
Coolant loss is the main pattern. Leaks come from the oil filter housing, turbo coolant lines, the plastic coupling on the upper radiator hose, quick-release coolant hoses, and both the main and auxiliary water pumps. Many owners top off coolant for months before the car overheats. Some then lose power on the highway or suffer complete engine failure. Repair quotes run from about $2,300 to $6,400. Collapsed engine mounts, sometimes replaced more than once, and a faulty crankcase ventilation hose also appear.
The engine overheats after coolant loss, with "Add Coolant" and "Stop Driving" warnings that often lead to a tow. Reported causes include a failed water pump near 80,000 miles, an oil filter housing leak at 100,000 miles, and coolant getting into the engine that leads to engine failure near 88,000 miles. Some repairs do not stop the problem. One owner raises fire concerns. Another describes a heat event in the engine compartment of a parked car that sent carbon monoxide into the home.
Body and structure20No crashes
Most reports concern recall campaign 24V534000. Owners say the repair part is not available, dealers confirm the shortage, and the wait has gone on too long. The other main pattern is the tailgate opening on its own while the car is parked, locked, or backing into a garage, sometimes with the key far away. Repeated dealer repairs do not always fix it. A few owners report sunroof drain leaks into the cabin, and one describes the panoramic glass shattering with people inside, with a $7,900 repair estimate.
Brakes9No crashes
Automatic emergency braking engages at 40 to 60 mph with no vehicle or obstacle ahead. The brakes slam hard enough to throw the driver against the belt, and one report includes an elbow injury. Several owners report repeat events and warn of rear-end collision risk. Dealers often find no fault, call the behavior normal sensitivity, or blame a dirty windshield. Separate reports describe rear pads and rotors worn out at low mileage and a parking brake that locks and will not release.
Automatic emergency braking6No crashes
The car brakes hard for no reason, often around 40 mph in traffic, and nearly causes rear-end collisions. A software update does not stop the false collision warnings, and in one case the manufacturer called the braking normal operation. Other owners see "Driving Assistance Reduced" or pedestrian warning messages, a collision warning that fails to act, and blind spot and lane departure features that stop working near 35,000 miles. One dealer diagnosed the camera-based driver assistance unit as needing replacement.
Transmission51 crash
Ongoing coolant loss and overheating continue despite repeated repairs, and in one case a dealer called for a full engine replacement. One injury crash followed the car shutting off in traffic after its digital gauges had acted up, and a truck then hit it from behind. Other reports describe sudden acceleration at low speed while parking. One owner reports the car rolling down a driveway several times after being put in park with the ignition off.
Exterior lights4No crashes
Headlights flash on and off by themselves with the switch set to AUTO. This happens while driving, which distracts other drivers, and again after the car is shut off. In that case the lights keep cycling and self-leveling until the car is locked. One owner reports the lights jumping from low beams to high beams at random. Owners note that the problem repeats often and has gone on for more than a year in some cars.
Backup camera3No crashes
The rearview camera fails to come on when reversing, sometimes on and off at first and later not at all. The camera failure often arrives together with emergency call, frontal collision, and pedestrian warning failures. Owners link these to water getting in through the roof antenna seal and damaging the telematics unit, citing the BMW service bulletin on that seal. Dealers and BMW offer little help, according to these reports.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints X3 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Multiple times while driving, my key FOB in my pocket has opened the trunk. Extremely dangerous, and apparently very easy to accidentally press. Same thing with the alarm, almost caused me to have an accident.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2022
Oil Filter Housing according to BMW tech this is a common issue in this part- yes available for inspection upon request, my safety was put at risk due to coolant leaking which can be flammable, also could cause engine malfunction/shutdown while driving. The problem has been confirmed by BMW dealership. A complaint with the manufacturer BMW of america was put in. No other lamps or messages, car simply began to leak coolant and oil profusely.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2023
The oil filter housing failed, which caused all of my coolant to leak out and the engine to overheat. My car had to be towed to a repair shop, as it would not hold any coolant. The repair bill for the new oil adapter housing unit, and related work (diagnostics, replacing engine oil and coolant) was a little over $2,300. Fortunately, I was near my home and on city streets when it occurred, or it could have been a real catastrophe.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
Tailgate suddenly opens without warning. Happened twice this month while car was parked and engine was turned off, as well as while car was stopped, in Park, and engine was running. Note that this happened repeatedly during the first year of ownership, and BMW Monterey (California) tried at least 4 times to fix it. Claimed it was finally fixed, and it did not recur for some months, but once again it is happening.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2021
Trunk opened while vehicle was in motion. It’s possible that the trunk button of the remote was accidentally depressed when it was in a pocket but I strongly believe that the vehicle should ignore such commands when the vehicle is in motion or even in gear.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2021
Parking brake is malfunctioning and has seized in lock position, and will not release. Making the vehicle unmovable and not drivable, leaving me stranded.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2025
How the 2019 compares with other X3 years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 has the most owner complaints of the 8 X3 years we cover, about 3.6 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical399
- Engine232
- Body and structure204
- Brakes91
- Automatic emergency braking61
- Transmission53
Where the 2019 fits in the X3's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the second model year of the X3's third generation (2018–2024).
BMW updated the X3 for 2022, so a 2019 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2022 (not on a 2019)
- Updated headlights and taillights
- New bumper designs
- 12.3-inch infotainment system available
Recalls to confirm (10)
Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V764000Body and structureOct 2024
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.
Risk: Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.
24V534000Body and structureJul 2024
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.
Risk: Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
21V521000AirbagsJul 2021
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.
Risk: A deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat foam, which includes the occupant classification system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
21V096000Backup cameraFeb 2021
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, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
20V152000ElectricalMar 2020
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel casing, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
19V684000Backup cameraSep 2019
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 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors.".
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
19V563000SeatsJul 2019
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the seatback folds forward or rearward.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seats, free of charge. The recall began September 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service 1-800-525-7417.
19V291000AirbagsApr 2019
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.
Risk: If the front passenger air bag does not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
18V453000BrakesJul 2018
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.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear brake circuit, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
18V374000Lane keepingJun 2018
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.
Risk: If the sensors do not properly detect the driver's hands are off the wheel, the driver may not be alerted by one or more warning signals, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Also looking at these instead of a X3?
Cars shoppers compare with the BMW X3, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
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- 2019 BMW X3148
- Lexus RX166
