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2009 Bmw X3 Electrical Problems

11 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

11
Complaints
3
Fires
Jan 2016Dec 2014
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (11)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2024

Your car's battery safety terminal deployed unexpectedly while you were driving downhill, causing the engine to shut off completely and leaving you unable to restart it. This resulted in loss of power steering and braking, creating a dangerous situation for you and other drivers. The fix will likely involve inspecting or replacing the battery safety terminal and the battery itself.

NHTSA #: 11626088
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS
FireFiled: Dec 2018

Your heated seat suddenly overheated while you were driving in heavy traffic, burning through the seat cover and melting it into your pants, causing burns to your leg and fingertip. The seat became so hot that it created a hole in the seat material and damaged your clothing. BMW's only solution was to disconnect the seat heater, which you found unacceptable. This is a serious electrical safety hazard that could injure occupants.

NHTSA #: 11162160
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2018

Your air conditioning system isn't cooling your car properly because heat from the engine is too high. This is related to recall numbers 17V676 and 17V683, but you've been unable to schedule a repair appointment at your BMW dealer for nearly a year because the necessary parts are unavailable. The repair will likely involve replacing engine cooling system components and/or air conditioning parts to address the heat management issue.

NHTSA #: 11131585
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2017

MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING PLASTIC BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE FROM THE COOLING VENTS, BMW HAS OPENED A RECALL BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA #: 11052160
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2017

TAKATA RECALL THAT HAS BEEN OPEN FOR 18 MONTHS AND NOW THE PCV VALVE THAT CREATES FIRES

NHTSA #: 11043206
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
Filed: Nov 2016

NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS PE07045 AND EA08001 DETERMINED MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE FRONT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT AND DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000 WAS ISSUED HOWEVER ONLY COVERS MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 OF THE BMW X3 SAV. REQUEST NHTSA CONDUCT FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS TO EXPAND THE EXISTING RECALL TO COVER ALL 2004-2009 MODEL YEARS OF THE FIRST GENERATION BMW X3 SAV WHICH MANY OWNERS ONLINE CAN CONCUR EXHIBIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF THIS SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT POSES A SEVERE SAFETY RISK.

NHTSA #: 10927446
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FireFiled: May 2016

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNMOVED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IT SUDDENLY BROKE OUT IN FLAMES (ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT). THE FIRE GREW QUITE LARGE AND THE CAR EXPLODED (THE POLICE OFFICER'S WORD). SECURITY CAMERAS ON THE PROPERTY SHOW NO ONE IN THE AREA TO TAMPER WITH THE CAR. THIS WAS SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. A GOOGLE SEARCH OF "2009 BMW X3 FIRE" SHOWS MANY OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS.

NHTSA #: 10865284
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Filed: Jan 2016

COUPE OF TIME THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS THE RESULT SRS & AIRBAG LIGHT NOW STAY ON.

NHTSA #: 10819107
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Filed: Dec 2014

UPON RETURNING TO SEATTLE, WA, SINCE I FLEW DOWN TO BERKLEY, CA TO PURCHASE MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED EXCESSIVE HEADLAMP SHAKE WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPS ON THE HIGHWAY, ESPECIALLY EXPANSION JOINTS. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLAMPS SHAKE EQUALLY AS BAD, AND I CONSIDER THAT A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND SEARCHING MANY ONLINE FORUMS, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY ISSUES WITH THE ADAPTIVE HEADLAMP BRACKET ARMS BEING BROKEN. CPO WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER HEADLAMPS ACCORDING TO BMW, AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR BOTH REPLACEMENTS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10667652
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2013

2009 BMW 328I, THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHT AT TIMES BLINKS RAPIDLY AND A WARNING OF LIGHT PROBLEM ILLUMINATES. THE DIRECTIONAL BLINKS FAST AND LIGHT IS DULL ON EXTERIOR TAIL AND FRONT LAMPS. AT TIMES WORKS NORMALLY AND THEN BEGINS TO BLINK RAPIDLY WITH A BELL WARNING AND ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT SIGN DISPLAYS. THIS PROBLEM HAS KNOWN TO BMW AS THE SERVICE DEALERS RECEIVED A BULLETIN. WILL NOT COVER IF OUT OF WARRANTY BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ENUMERATED BY MANY CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10556983
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Jul 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING HIS VEHICLE AT 9 AM HE RECEIVED A CALL AT 2 PM STATING THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WHEN HE WALKED OUTSIDE HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE POLICE ALSO RESPONDED AND FILED POLICE REPORT #2010-0000-122. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA #: 10344667

Other 2009 Bmw X3 Issues