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U.S. public vehicle records

2011 Bmw X3 SAV problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

68,300 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 13 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior323.1%
Engine operation215.4%
Braking behavior17.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
4
Air Bags
3
Steering
3
Power Train
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Electrical System
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Seats
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine4
Air Bags3
Steering3
Power Train2
Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System1
Exterior Lighting1
Seats1

Engine: 4; Air Bags: 3; Steering: 3; Power Train: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Seats: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2014
1
2016
2
2017
4
2018
3
2019
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20141
20162
20174
20183
20193

2014: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2019: 3

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10585849 · 2014-05-01 (May 1, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE STEERING CONTROL MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585849 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11132038 · 2018-09-27 (September 27, 2018)

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11132038 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11184363 · 2019-03-05 (March 5, 2019)

THE COOLANT SYSTEM IS GIVING ME MANY PROBLEMS. THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE SEAM AND LEAKING. THE THERMOSTAT WAS STUCK, CAUSING ZERO HEAT INTO THE CABIN ON A COLD DAY. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD NOT RE START THE IGNITION KEPT TRYING, AND AFTER 20 MINUTES STALLED IT FINALLY STARTED, LIMP DRIVING TO MY HOUSE FROM THERE. . THE DISPLAY READS DRIVE MODERATELY /DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION.

Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184363 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11097235 · 2018-05-22 (May 22, 2018)

ONLY HAVE MY CAR FOR ONLY A YEAR. TAILLIGHT FROM PASSENGER SIDE: THE RUNNING LIGHT DEFECTS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY LIGHT AND THIS IS WELL KNOWN FOR THIS CAR. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY DRIVER RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON AND MY A/C OR TEMPERATURE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, AND CONTROL DISPLAY STOPPED WORKING. I AM NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE DRIVER SEAT. JUST BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL SERVICE. WAS TOLD THIS MAY SOLVE THE ISSUES AND MAY NOT. I…

Owner-reported narrative. 68,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11097235 at NHTSA ↗