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ProblemsByVin Index / 2020-BMW-X3 / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2020 BMW X3 owner complaints

104 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle . Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

electrical 11 complaints shown

32 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/23/2025 ODI #11706728.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted on three occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.

12/22/2025 ODI #11706506.0

Appears to be related to recall 25V636. Vehicle is 2020 BMW X3 M40i, equipped with same engine as the Supra (B58). Engine would not start with the push of the "start button". Pressing a second time would sometimes start, but as time went on the number of presses required to start took minutes to up to 30 minutes before engine would start. Had starter motor replaced October, 2025 and mechanic observed that starter motor was shorting out, similar to existing recall. However, my vehicle is not included in the recall.

12/19/2025 ODI #11706144.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted who confirmed that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who confirmed the recall status. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool showed no open recall.

12/18/2023 ODI #11560653.0

Received warning on screen. “Driver restraint system malfunction carefully drive to the closest service center driver restraint system is reduced. Increased risk of injury in case of collision. Continue using safety belt.” I took the car in, and this was the diagnosis: “Driver restraint system malfunction. Passenger knee airbag rewired to control module” 24,122 miles on the car. $1400

12/15/2025 ODI #11705100.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the fire risk was a major concern. In addition, the contact stated that the temperature was 14 degrees below freezing the past weekend where the contact resided. The contact inquired about what might happen if the vehicle were parked on the street in the neighborhood. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

12/12/2025 ODI #11704759.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

11/29/2021 ODI #11441972.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V601000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

11/28/2020 5,000 mi ODI #11376857.0

Tailgate opened spontaneously while driving on a city street. Had to stop and close the tailgate from the outside (interior switch did not work).

11/28/2020 5,000 mi ODI #11376860.0

Alarm spontaneously triggered (whistling sound and flashing lights) twice. The first time, the vehicle had come to a stop and was in park (passengers in vehicle), with the engine running in drive-ready mode. The alarm turned off by itself after about 10 seconds. The second time, the alarm triggered while driving on a city street. It stayed triggered for several minutes, even after stopping and turning the vehicle off and on several times. (we didn't try to lock the vehicle.) the alarm was finally turned off pressing the alarm button on the key fob.

11/27/2023 ODI #11556998.0

1. Whenever I refill my tank the car will start knocking. It will be only for 1 or 2 sudden jerks. I have tried every grade and nearly all the brands of fuel but its still the same. Even I escalated the same issue when I had my car service done. But to no avail. It happens when I refuel the tank. Otherwise, no issue to my surprise. I Need to know if it’s a known issue? If yes then why no one reached out to me to provide solution for it? Its been years i have tried to escalate it but no resolution. 2. When i use turn signals (either left or right) it start skipping click sound. even when the engine is ON and even when auto engine start is switched off. It happens not all the times but occasionally. I also escalated it when i went for service but i was told if its not logged in system then

11/20/2025 70,000 mi ODI #11700603.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the emergency sensor warning light illuminated, as well as the camera system, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light, and the key proximity features malfunctioned. The contact stated that the shark fin cover was missing from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the backup battery and wiring harness were damaged due to water intrusion from the missing shark fin cover. The contact was informed that the backup battery, wiring harness, and shark fin cover need to be replaced; however, the vehicle remained unrepaired. The contact had contacted the insurance provider, and the insurance provider declined to cover the repairs under the compr

body 2 complaints shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
12/12/2024 ODI #11630429.0

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V534000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

11/07/2024 ODI #11624011.0

This recall was determined in July 2024. It's now November 7, 2024 and there is still not a fix for it.

other 2 complaints shown

12/11/2019 1,300 mi ODI #11288513.0

Trunk opened by itself while vehicle was moving.

11/11/2024 ODI #11624466.0

There is no remedy to fix the recall. This vehicle is a part of my income and I haven't been able to operate on any ride-share platforms. -rear cargo rails -BMW NA has declined my request to buy back my car. They don't provide loaners or alternative vehicles. -BMW NA ignored my request to speak with someone in regard to lost wages.

seatbelts 1 complaint shown

12/22/2025 ODI #11706471.0

Active protection reduced message Pretensioning of seatbelts not possible. I barely use the car and was not in any kind of accident.

airbags 1 complaint shown

6 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/16/2023 ODI #11560429.0

The driver passenger restraint system light comes on which is a manufacturer defect that should be covered for the life of the vehicle (this is not a wear-and-tear) component. I called BMW and was told that the part is out of warranty. I would like an investigation of this part for all BMW X3 as the defect can result in fatalities.

wheels 1 complaint shown

12/07/2020 4,800 mi ODI #11378340.0

My husband was driving my infant son and I as we were merging onto the pa turnpike. We hit some small road debris at about 50-60 MPH. The debris was so small that we didn't feel a bump or anything, just heard a loud bang and figured we had a typical blow out. The car did jerk to the left moderately but we were able to safely pull over. Upon inspection, the wheel split in half across the entire circumference in the direction of roll. There was a small bend on the inside edge of the wheel at the point of impact but the split was several inches away from this damage. There was also no crack or split at the point of impact. We would have expected there to be a crack in this area perpendicular to the road but instead the crack was in the opposite direction, away from the damage. The tir

lighting 1 complaint shown

11/12/2020 ODI #11374332.0

When driving the car during the day the infortainment digital display and dash board dims to almost black intermittently making it dangerous and distracting to operate the vehicle if trying to use the radio, the phone, or driving miles MPH and milage gauges. The screens brighten up if the driver window is opened up. But, it is impossible to do this when driving at freeway speeds. The problem has been complained about within two months of driving it off the showroom floor in dec 2019. I have been told 10 times so far, that there is no fix for this problem.

suspension 1 complaint shown

11/11/2024 ODI #11624584.0

Vehicle began intermittently turning lights on and off while parked and driving. Upon dealer inspection, sunroof frame failed causing water to leak and corrode the VDP module which controls items like the headlights and suspension. Dealer did confirm, vehicle is being repaired at this moment. There were no warning lights about the headlight malfunction, noticed it while driving and while parked. There was a warning light regarding the suspension however it turned off next start and only came back on once more, again disappearing next start. Upon completion of repair, can provide parts inspection, receipts and video of the lighting issue while parked.

Showing 300 of 104 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/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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