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ProblemsByVin Index / 2019-BMW-X3 / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2019 BMW X3 owner complaints

163 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

electrical 6 complaints shown

44 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/20/2024 ODI #11631848.0

My 2019 BMW X3 posted this error on the instrument display "Emergency call system malfunction". BMW service informed me that the shark fin roof mounted antenna is leaking. It causes issues with the SOS feature, navigation (reporting wrong location). There are numerous complaints on BMW owners message boards with the same problem. There is at least one BMW Service Information Bulletin (SIB) that applies to this issue for my vehicle. It is number B65 12 22. I was told this issue is not covered under my certified pre-owned warranty. This is a safety issue affecting thousands of BMW owners. BMW should do the right thing, issue a recall on the affected models and repair this problem. Thank you.

12/15/2019 6,500 mi ODI #11289192.0

The issue is becoming more systemic and occurs more often. Issue is as follows: 1) while driving, digital instrumentation will go completely blank for a period of time. This includes speedometer, tachometer, clock, cruise control information. Basically, anything that is on the screen disappears. 2) in addition to the instrumentation malfunction, the following system failures are intermittently occurring (no pattern detected yet): all wheel drive system failure (while driving) - when display does resume, vehicle warning system indicates the vehicle may be driven, but the all wheel drive system is inoperative. Park distance control (occurred while vehicle was stationary) - when display does resume, vehicle warning system indicates pdc system is inoperative. Auto start/stop fe

12/11/2024 85,000 mi ODI #11630044.0

The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. The contact stated that the Navigation system had become inoperable. Additionally, the message "Emergency Call Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the seal of the roof-mounted antenna housing had separated from the vehicle, causing water to leak into the antenna housing wiring and causing the electrical failures. The contact was charged a fee for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: SIB 65 12 22. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting an email from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

12/01/2025 ODI #11702239.0

Shark Fin cover knocked of roof while washing at car wash. Dealer was notified and referred me to an auto body shop. I paid for the replacement repair. Dealer never notified me about the loose shark fin problems (water leaks) that are currently a problem with is model (X-3 xdrive30i 2019). A constant hissing noise is heard over the speaker system since the incident occurred. This is not a safety issue. a recall should be issued for the loose leaking fin problem.

11/25/2024 Crash ODI #11627239.0

The TCB Module and Antenna failed due to a water leak through the sealed roof mounted "Shark Fin" Antenna on top of my vehicle. The vehicle is not completely safe to drive due to the failure of the TCB Module in which the Module activates the "Intelligent Emergency Call" in the case of an accident. Crash and airbag sensors activate an emergency call to the BMW call center in the process, a set of relevant data such as how many passengers and their presumed condition or injury as well as the exact position of the my vehicle is sent automatically to the BMW call center and the nearest emergency service provider. The problem has been inspected and confirmed by my local BMW dealer. There is a warning on my odometer that states "Emergency call system not available."

11/15/2019 ODI #11280429.0

The digital speedometer reads in kilometers per hour, instead of miles per hour, so I do not know how fast I am going. A couple of months ago, BMW issued a recall related to the reverse camera on the 2019 x3. To repair this recall, the software in the car had to be upgraded. After the dealership repaired the recall issue and upgraded the software, the digital speedometer malfunctioned. The speedometer defaulted to kilometers per hour every time I started the car. It would not stay on miles per hour. Thus, after every start, I would have to go into the main menu and switch the digital speedometer to miles per hour. I took my car into the dealership today to fix the speedometer issue (so it would stay on miles per hour), and they made the situation worse. The option to switch the digital spe

body 4 complaints shown

21 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
12/25/2021 ODI #11444948.0

On September 7, 2021, the tailgate of my 2019 BMW X3 opened on its own in my garage. The car had been turned off for approximately 20-25 minutes. My key was inside the house, nowhere near the garage. No one had touched the car after it was turned off. My husband was in the garage, standing approximately 6-10 feet away from the car when the tailgate opened on its own. I believe this is both a Safety and Security issue. The tailgate opened on its own. This could have occurred while driving on a highway (safety), or while parked on a public street (security).street. On 9/9/21 I reported the problem to Zach Santillo in the Service Dept of our dealer: BMW-Newton, NJ.

12/10/2019 22,000 mi ODI #11288182.0

I was driving and had just entered into hwy. I was traveling approx 45-50mph. There were no other vehicles around, when I suddenly began hearing a popping or clicking sound, followed by what sounded like an explosion. I could hear glass shattering above my head, but was protected from injury because the sunroof shade was closed. I slowed down and pulled off the hwy at the next exit ramp, got out of the vehicle to inspect and saw a huge gaping hole in the sunroof.

12/08/2019 ODI #11287780.0

Trunk opens intermittently while driving down road as well as other times when vehicle running or not

12/01/2025 ODI #11702247.0

2019 BMW X3 with operable sunroof. Significant leakage occurred in front and rear of car risking electrical failure and therefore accident. Dealer denies that this is a problem and Bmw takes no responsibility for what is a hidden defect of the drainage system for the sunroof. Hundreds of individuals have the same exact problem. Hundreds are automatically denied any assistance or responsibility by dealer or manufacture. In a prior claim, it appears that Bmw lost and was found guilty of concealment of a manufacturers defect and was instructed to pay $500 million to plaintiff. Examination of law firms indicate that this significant problem affecting hundreds perhaps thousands of Bmw x-3 has not been registered as a significant complaint, notwithstanding the fact that they have already be

other 3 complaints shown

12/09/2019 9,250 mi ODI #11288012.0

The car has a warning system that has a proxmity system. The car at least once a month brakes while driving indicating a car or obsticle in front of me. Nothing has been in front of me while the car self brakes. The dealership said it must of been due to fog. With the repeated problem no fog or bad weather existed.

12/05/2019 10,000 mi ODI #11287126.0

The active safety feature (lane assist) did not vibrate the steering wheel as advertised by the manufacturer.

11/27/2019 9,000 mi ODI #11282723.0

This car was bought brand new in jan 2019 and since buying there were 3 incidents of windshield damages all 3 times by chips hitting the glass. 2 times it was replaced by the OEM glass, however I am worried about safety, it appears that this car's glass is more fragile than others. I have also owned other cars and drive on same road under same condition, however this has never happened with any other class. I would be interested if new BMW x3s are more prone for windshield related damages

brakes 2 complaints shown

11 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/21/2019 19,000 mi ODI #11290643.0

While driving on a busy city street in moving traffic the automatic emergency braking system activated without cause. The vehicle was travelling at approximately 50 MPH without another vehicle or obstacle near the vehicle. This caused the vehicle to suddenly pitch forward, throwing the driver forward with the forceful more while simultaneously making a high pitched screeching sound and flashing a dashboard icon. This has happened on two separate occasions, 12/02/19 and again on 12/11/19.

11/23/2020 7,800 mi ODI #11375995.0

My car has been at the BMW dealership twice for these incidents. The incidents have happened a total of 4 times. The first time, I was driving about 45 miles per hour along the city street, woodruff ave in long beach. It was a sunny day and there were no other cars around me when the car suddenly starts beeping and dash blinks and then car slams on brakes automatically until it comes to a stop. I am not sure what caused the problem but I think it may be the sensors for the automatic collision braking system. The second time I was going about 15 MPH coming up to a right turn in the right turn lane of a city street. There was a car in the left lane that was stopped at the traffic light. My car then sounds the alarm, flashes the warning and slams on the brakes to a stop. My busine

powertrain 2 complaints shown

6 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/19/2025 ODI #11706120.0

Reporting a failure of the engine cooling system on my 2019 BMW X3 that developed over time despite repeated repair attempts and ultimately resulted in complete engine failure. Over the past year, the vehicle has experienced ongoing coolant loss and overheating warnings despite multiple coolant-related repairs. When the problem continued, I brought the vehicle to a BMW dealership, where the service department determined that the engine had suffered internal damage consistent with overheating and advised that a full engine replacement was required. These issues occurred during normal driving and created unsafe conditions, including the risk of sudden loss of power or breakdown in traffic. Based on my experience and the repeated nature of the failures despite proper maintenance, it appears t

12/03/2025 ODI #11702650.0

I am reporting repeated coolant system failures and overheating on my 2019 BMW X3 . I have had 4 coolant-related repairs in under 3 years, including the coolant reservoir boiling after service. Most recently, the problem recurred despite prior repairs. This is a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle with warranty history, and I believe this is a systemic engine/cooling defect that poses a risk of engine failure or fire. Other owners may be affected. A recall or investigation is warranted.

engine 2 complaints shown

25 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/10/2024 ODI #11629958.0

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.

11/21/2025 ODI #11700855.0

While driving my BMW X3, the engine suddenly failed after the check-engine light came on, which followed several days of intermittent high-temperature warnings. Coolant levels had been consistently monitored, refilled, and topped up as needed, yet the temperature fluctuations persisted. Upon further inspection, the repair shop determined that coolant had been leaking internally into the engine due to a cooling system failure, causing overheating and warping of internal components. This created a serious safety hazard, as the vehicle began losing power while in motion, leaving me unable to safely accelerate or maintain speed in traffic and increasing the risk of a collision and a potential fire. This is a serious matter and BMW should assume responsibility for this. I bought the car assumin

suspension 1 complaint shown

11/27/2025 ODI #11701838.0

I am reporting a manufacturing defect on BMW vehicles, specifically the 2019 BMW X3 with fewer than 40k miles. According to a vehicle inspection conducted at a BMW dealership on Saturday November 22, 2025, the motor mounts are collapsed. Potential risks are excessive engine vibrations that could cause loss of control while driving, to engine components to fall off the ground while driving. It’s dubious that BMW dealers “discovered “ this issue after the vehicle warranty expired. I request that the matter be investigated and order the manufacturer to extend coverage to a minimum of 120k miles or 6 years from date of service. Please investigate before it’s too late. Thank you.

Showing 300 of 163 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/BMW/X3#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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