2020 BMW X3 Review

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Electrical system:starter assembly:relay

Recall Number: 

25V636000

Number of vehicles affected: 

196355

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.

Defect Consequence: 

A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

Corrective Action: 

Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk are scheduled to be mailed November 14, 2025. Owners will receive a second notice as remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 14, 2025.

Structure

Recall Number: 

24V764000

Number of vehicles affected: 

8725

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2022 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the rear cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.

Defect Consequence: 

Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.

Structure

Recall Number: 

24V534000

Number of vehicles affected: 

282387

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.

Defect Consequence: 

Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Seats

Recall Number: 

23V211000

Number of vehicles affected: 

51

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.

Defect Consequence: 

An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine

Recall Number: 

21V598000

Number of vehicles affected: 

50024

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.

Defect Consequence: 

Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Recall Number: 

21V096000

Number of vehicles affected: 

13858

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive Vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Defect Consequence: 

If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Corrective Action: 

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

Recall Number: 

20V601000

Number of vehicles affected: 

4509

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.

Defect Consequence: 

The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.

Corrective Action: 

The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is available, drivers will be instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers will also be instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. The recall is expected to begin November 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Recall Number: 

20V598000

Number of vehicles affected: 

312

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Defect Consequence: 

If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Corrective Action: 

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall is expected to begin November 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery

Recall Number: 

20V490000

Number of vehicles affected: 

713

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.

Defect Consequence: 

A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.

Corrective Action: 

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 12, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Electrical system: software

Recall Number: 

20V443000

Number of vehicles affected: 

5

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 sDrive40i, X3 xDrive40i and X3M40i vehicles. These vehicles were not programmed with rearview camera software during assembly, therefore, when the transmission is shifted to reverse, a rearview image is not displayed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Defect Consequence: 

An inoperative rearview camera display can increase the risk of a crash when reversing.

Corrective Action: 

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will program the affected vehicles with rearview camera software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 21, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly

Recall Number: 

20V355000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

Toyota: 2

Number of vehicles affected: 

2779

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.

Defect Consequence: 

A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. This recall is expected to begin August 7, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Air bags

Recall Number: 

20V164000

Number of vehicles affected: 

3316

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, X4M, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, M8 Gran Coupe, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, and 840i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The sensors in the front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the air bag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

Defect Consequence: 

If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Corrective Action: 

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Electrical system: instrument panel

Recall Number: 

20V152000

Number of vehicles affected: 

15

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i, and 2018-2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3M vehicles. The instrument panel casing may not have been tightened properly to the passenger air bag.

Defect Consequence: 

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury.

Corrective Action: 

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel casing, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Steering:rack and pinion:pinion shaft

Recall Number: 

19V738000

Manufactured from: 

2019-09-27 to 2019-09-28

Number of vehicles affected: 

20

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 BMW X3 M40i and X4 M40i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control.

Defect Consequence: 

A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

BMW has notified owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Recall Number: 

19V684000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

Toyota: 1

Manufactured from: 

2018-09-06 to 2019-08-28

Number of vehicles affected: 

257473

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Defect Consequence: 

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 19, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Steering

Recall Number: 

19V678000

Manufactured from: 

2019-08-25 to 2019-09-05

Number of vehicles affected: 

368

Defect Description: 

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, and X3 M40i vehicles, X4 xDrive30i, and X4 M40i vehicles. The front axle swivel bearings may not have been properly heat treated during manufacturing, reducing their strength and possibly causing them to break.

Defect Consequence: 

Broken swivel bearings can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action: 

BMW has notified owners and instructed them to not drive their vehicles. Dealers will replace the front axle swivel bearings, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.