2005 BMW X3 owner complaints

My wife's heated driver seat burned a hole in the vinyl seat cover and through her sweater. Dealer says this is not covered by warranty, but it appears to be a common problem for the x3. An internet search reveals several complaints. Additionally, a recall was announced for the BMW 5 and 3 series for the same issue. I hope the ntsb conducts a quick response. Thanks. *kb

A driver side seat heater overheated the seat and burned through leaving a hole. This happened while I was driving and caused me to step accelerator mistakenly. This is a serious safety issue and BMW needs to recall all defected parts. *tr

While driving down the road the heated seat got hot enough to burn a hole in the seat. When I felt the hot spot I turned off the heater and there was no fire. I understand from the internet that this isn't that uncommon and I was hoping the NHTSA could work towards a recall so those that have had this problem could get it warranted and BMW would have an incentive to make sure they improve on this system. I have been a vol. Firefighter and I know first hand how quickly ( almost instantly) a vehicle will become fully engulfed. Thank you. *tr

I have a 2005 x3! This morning my driver side seat nearly went up in flames!! So scary!! Lucky I wasn't in traffic or on the highway, I was able to jump out and address the problem. Is there a recall number for the heated seats yet? I have seen allot of issues with the BMW 04-08 x3 heated seats. Most people are getting burnt and this could be very dangerous for us owner while driving. Something need to be done, lucky it was me driving and not my wife. Thank you *tr

While driving to work (approx. 2 mile trip) on a cold morning (outside temp 18 deg f) turned on driver's side heated car seat at maximum setting. Prior to this incident, the seat heater had functioned properly although left side of seat always seemed to somewhat hotter than rest of seat. Within 1.5 mile, seat became extremely hot on left side of seat bottom 2/3 back from front and I began to smell a strong burning plastic odor in the car. I immediately turned off seat heater. Arrived at office and upon inspection, discovered a blackened burnt spot on the seat leather at the location where extreme heat had been. *tr

While driving my BMW x3 2005, I turned my seat warmer on and it ended up burning a hole through the seat. My pants were burned and so was I. Luckily I had turned the seat warmer off without any additional damage or shock during my drive. *tr

Driver seat heat mat got too hot causing smoke, damage to clothing, and skin injury in less than a minute after turning the system on high. The seat had been functioning normally the day before. The seat cover is visibly damaged at a single point about the size of a quarter. The spot is on the left seat pan bolster 2/3's back from the front edge of the seat pan. *tr

Driver's seat at left leg bolster area heats up when seat heater element is activated. Shocking or burning sensation is felt due to overheat problem. *tr

Heated seat caught fire, burning through thick leather upholstery. 2005 BMW x3, 36,000 miles. Not repaired, out of warranty, BMW only willing to pay for half of replacement, consumer cost 700 dollars. *tr

Seat warmer caught on fire! While parked in the driveway with the engine running, I turned on both manufacturer-installed front seat warmers (outside temp. 36 degrees farenheit) for my son and I. I felt a pinching on upper left thigh / buttock. Thought it was a bug. Shifted in the seat, and felt it again, more painful this time. Lifted myself from the seat a bit to look at the seat and see what was poking or pinching me, saw smoke coming out of a new hole on the left side of the seat. Looked through the hole, and saw flames and smelled burning. Immediately, turned off the seat warmer, got out of the vehicle, reached over and turned off the vehicle. The seat smoldered for another couple of minutes. Called my spouse to check if it was still smoldering, but it had stopped. Took the vehicle to

The seat heater in my 2005 BMW x3 caught fire and melted a hole in the seat and burned my left butt cheek while I was driving. My left butt cheek was burned a little but I was otherwise uninjured. I read online that a ton of other people with the same/similar make and model car as me have had the same problem. The dealer said it would cost about $2000 to replace the entire seat. There is clearly a major flaw in the seat heater and it could pose a major safety issue should a fire occur and the driver is not able to leave the car right away. BMW should recall and/or pay for the replacement/repair of the seat. *tr

I'd unlocked my door and when I tried to close it, it wouldn't close like it should. It's like the actuator was stuck & wouldn't close. It does this for a few minutes of me cranking and turning off the ignition. Finally, after I crank it up again, it just closes like nothing ever happened! I was stuck in a pharmacy parking lot for like 15 minutes thinking of how I was going to get home because my door didn't close! Very, very inconvenient! I almost had to call a tow truck & would've been out of a couple hundred of dollars for this!!! Why does this happen!!!?! This needs to be addressed and fixed! *tr

Heated drivers seat burned through leather and scorched drivers pants. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 BMW x3. He stated that the air bag light came on and caused the air bag system to malfunction. The dealer confirmed that NHTSA campaign id number: 08v384000 component: air bags frontal were related to the failure; however, his VIN was not included. The contact was quoted $1100 by the dealer to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle will not be repaired. The failure mileage was 64000 and current mileage was 64989.

I own a BMW x3 that has the front air bag mat sensor problem that has been noted worldwide BMW recall. The problem is that they have not noted the x3 with sport seats being part of the recall, although all other models with the same seat has been noted. I just had my x3 serviced, and also ask them to repair the seat mat that has failed, but the dealer stated that this seat was not listed, but did have the common failure that has brought forward the recall. I am asking that NHTSA notify BMW and insist that they have left out the x3 with sport seats. *tr

BMW x3 2005. Purchased last december with 43,115 miles. Currently has 48,000+. Car has been in shop four times for interior of car being wet. Last visit to mechanic was last week and it is wet inside again. Mechanic has checked and cleaned drainage tubes. Has checked sunroof. Has not found a specific mechanical reason for the leaking. *tr

Hatch back is leaking water into the hatchback of x3. Water leakage in front of car from hood into bilateral sides of dash board which damaged carpet and belongings. *tr

The service engine light soon came on. The dealer diagnosed that the following two need replaced 1) valve cover gasket to fix engine oil leak 2) dmtl pump I cannot comprehend these failures from a brand known for quality at such low milegae. Google search shows many bmws have had these failures but surprisingly there are no recalls. *js

It looks like that the shifting of the automatic transmission in BMW x3, 2005 3.0l are kind of delayed. I noticed while I push the gas pedal and speed is accelerating real well to the point when gear supposed to be switched but it does not happen. I have to temporarily, for one sec, reduce the gas acceleration and then it is shifting. As a result, the car drives is on lower gears than it should. The engine rmp is always on a high side. I am wondering what can be done to resolve this issue. Will the change of the transmission oil change this behavior. I have seen blog which talk about egs update BMW x3.

The internal wiring of the HID headlights has deteriorated to the point of falling apart leaving bare conductors in multiple locations. This has caused the headlights, adaptive motor drives, and decorative lighting to be intermittent and fail. With the bare conductors, an appreciable fire hazard exists.